The next time you get stuck with a computer problem, you may first want to try one of these easy fixes. Our online technical support library is free, and chances are, one or more of these simple procedures will correct the problem right away without having to call for technical support.

If you are sharing that connection you may also have a Router and/or Network Switch (see below).

In either case simply unplugging the power on your DSL/Cable modem and leave it unplugged for about 5 minutes will usually do the trick.

Router:  A router can be used in conjunction with a Cable/DSL modem or on a network in general. The same reset procedure applies however, depending on the router you may need to reprogram it all over again. Nothing you can do about it if the power scrambles the settings...it must be done. You will need help with this part....contact our technical support department to arrange an appointment to come out and fix it.

Network Switch:   You may lose your connection to your network and access to your files. If you have a network switch in your home or business this also may need to be reset whether connected to a DSL/Cable modem or not. The first thing to look for:
Are all lights on and steady? They should be blinking somewhat ...not steady. This usually means something is not right.

Reset the switch by unplugging for 5 minutes and then plugging back in. It will take a minute or so to find all the connections again but this part is automatic....just be patient.

Your Computer: If the power goes out or a surge hits and you are not plugged into a battery backup, your computer will shut down. When you turn it back on again it will goes through Scandisk. This is your computer checking the hard drive for damage...this is normal. After it completes it should boot right to the desktop. If you get any errors or it does not come up, something in your PC might have been damaged, contact us right away. Also see our Lightning & Power Surges article.

If do not have an internet connection, you will not have Email, MLS, Yahoo, Google, online quotes etc. Anything related to the internet. It is not as bad as it seems as they are all relevant to having a connection to the internet. Once your internet is restored all these things will come back at once.

If the power goes out or even a power surge...you will lose your DSL/Cable modem connection, this is NOT a computer problem. Resetting as explained above will usually correct this.

The first test to see if you have lost connection is to try connecting to the Internet through Internet Explorer (the little blue "e" to the right of your start button...or on your programs menu). Do not go through AOL or any other service first...just test using a raw internet connection....it rules out additional variables that may just confuse things.
 
Remember, sometimes the system is just down. Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner for example are the companies that provide these services. There are times when the system is overloaded or perhaps they are down for maintenance...this is normal. Try waiting for an hour and then come back and try again.

If it still does not come on call your local DSL/Cable provider to see if they have problems in the area. If they say yes ask them how long they anticipate the repair to take, they usually have some idea.

  If all else fails...contact us...we can help.

AOL: Since AOL has it's own built in dial up, when it does not connect it is either one of two things. Something is up with your phone line connection, or your AOL software has become corrupted. 

1. Check the phone lines (see diagram above) to make sure they are connected properly, and test it with a phone to make sure. 
2. If you have dial tone on that line, and it is connected correctly, try restarting.
3. If that does not do it or you have errors within AOL or it stops responding or cuts you off, try reinstalling AOL. It will give you the opportunity to copy all of your settings over for you so you will not lose anything.

Outlook: If you have a separate dial up such as ATT, Earthlink, or a DSL/Cable modem, you probably use Outlook or Outlook Express. Again, if you have no Internet connection you have no email. 

1. Connect to your dial up if you have one. (DSL/Cable modem users skip this step)
2. Minimize Outlook if it is open. 
3. Click on Internet Explorer (the little blue "e" next to the start menu or from the Programs menu.
4. If you have an Internet connection then it has something to do with your email account. Call your ISP (ATT, Earthlink etc). They will have to troubleshoot the problem from there.

Please Note:  Network problems are rarely computer problems (if purchased from NTI). They are connectivity, user,  or software related problems and understanding how to access a network is the users responsibility. If you need help please contact us to set up an appointment for a network training session. Anything not relating to hardware warranty is a billable event.

It is not as bad as it seems. When you lose connection to your network, you will lose connection to everything at once. Your data, the internet, email, your printers etc. Once your network is restored, all these things will come back at once.

Try restarting your computer. This will refresh your network connections and log on. If after restarting you are still having problems, read on.

Restoring Connectivity: It is usually a simple matter of restoring your network connection. It could simply be a switch that needs to be reset after a power interruption. If you have a router with a built in switch such as Linksys, it may just need to be reset, see above.

Incorrect Login:  This could also happen if you log on to your network with the wrong user name. Remember that all of your preferences and network connections are usually associated with YOUR network profile. If you log on and the icons and shortcuts do not look familiar, log OFF and log back on again with the correct user name and password. Remember that usernames and passwords are usually case sensitive and do not have spaces.

Network Connections:  If you lose a network connection, even for a moment your "mapped drives" (network shortcuts) may not work. You can check to see if this is the problem by clicking on MyComputer. If you have mapped drives with a red "X" on them, first try to click on them. Sometimes it just needs to be refreshed and this will restore the connection. If this does not work then there is another problem such as the switch.

Internet and Email:  Again, if you do not have internet, naturally your email and any other programs that require internet connection will not work. See above for more details.

Printing:  If you can not print on a network shared printer, it is most likely the same problem. Check your connection to the network in general. Double click on My Network Places or Network Neighborhood from your desktop. You should see all the different computers on your network. If it does not come up automatically, click on View Entire Network or View Workgroup Computers on the left in XP.

Wireless Networks: Wireless networking is inconsistent and IT WILL GO DOWN from time to time you have to accept that. It is not a perfect science and considered par for the course for wireless. If you are on a wireless network and you lose connection, everything else will go down as well as explained above. Restoring a wireless connection by restarting your PC or resetting your Router (see above) will usually correct the problem.

If a technician is called to your site and corrects a wireless issue, it works, then it drops again a day or so later, this is the nature of the beast, do not get frustrated. If this is unacceptable to you, you may want to consider a wired network for a more consistent connection. If a technician is called back to restore a connection that was working upon leaving the last call, this is considered a separate billable event.

View the other information on this page. If all else fails, give us a call or send us an email.

Turn the printer off and disconnect the power for 30 seconds. This clears the printer's memory and resets the printer.

Restart your computer.

When shopping for your next printer look for a model which has a stop/cancel button that will actually stop the printing.