XP internet trouble

[Fat Bob]

I'm not especilly IT litterate but I am having difficulty connecting to the internet with XP. The moden drivers seem to install ok but I can't get a connection. Outside Line not responding or some such message. I'm not sure if my XP is authorisd as it was put on when I was away overseas but have been told this can lead to difficulties. To be honest I'm almost ready to do a system restore back to my old Windows 98 as a friend made a ghost disk for me some months ago. Would this be recommended? How would I go about reinstalling Windows 98?

[Marke522]

I would contact your ISP, you didn't say if it was broadband or dial up, maybe they can help you a bit and see if everything is ok from thier side.

Also, XP can only be registered to one person. So if he tried to install his disk onto your computer that he allready registered, then you won't be able to activate it.

[Fat Bob]

Yeah I have contacted my ISP. They assure me the line is fine at their end. And sorry, it's broadband. I went to a friends to try and hook up to his line last night and we couldn't even install his modem drivers. I think the computer is not particularly healthy. I'm sure there are unauthorised XP programmes around aren't there? Is it possible to restore to Windows 98?

[jeffr]

What makes you think it's Windows 98 giving you the problems? Are you using cable broadband? Are you behind a firewall? Who's your broadband provider? Any type of connectivity issues should be corrected by your broadband provider, that's their job! Give us a little more info please...

[raftero]

i don't think it is an xp problem, too many others are using it and i have never heard that xp was more likely to cause that problem than any other os. i think there are too many possibilities to pin point any one thing, just re-check everything like you were building from scratch.

[Marke522]

Is the XP an update or a full install ? I tried to update an different computer a few years ago to ME, and had all kinds of problems with drivers, and issues of incompatibility, but that was ME, and it was on a Compaq. Compaqs have proprietary issues. They don't like anything that it didn't come with.

Are you trying to use a router?

If you have Ethernet and a Network Card, see if you can get an Ethernet Adapter, it will change your Ethernet to USB. I had to get one for my Compaq because it kept rejecting the Network Card, and it works great. Had the adapter for years and I love it, solved all my problems.