COMMON NETWORK PROBLEMS:

• Internet Connectivity
• Wireless Networking
• File Sharing Issues
• Network Security
• Email Issues

Internet Connectivity

There are two common ways of connecting to the Internet, one is using a phone line, the other is Broadband via DSL or Cable. In either case, this error means the connection between you and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is broken or is unable to be established. The reasons for failure vary between them, so let's see both. Let's start with a Dial-Up connection.

First thing to check is the phone line. Is anyone using it? Is the phone cable connected from the computer to the wall outlet? Can you make a phone call on that line or hear a dial-tone? If everything looks good, next make sure the computer modem is working. Can you hear the modem dialing? Can you hear the modem chatter? If you can't hear either one or both, then something is wrong with the modem. If the modem and the phone check out, then contact your ISP technical support representative.

A broadband connection is always established, no dial-ups, no connection procedure, but the connection can be broken inside your network or outside on the ISP side. The quick and easiest thing to do is reset all network devices starting with the cable-modem, then the cable-modem router (if you have an all-in-one modem-router, then skip this step), lastly reboot your computer. If the connection is not regained, have your ISP representative check their side of the network, then find a computer professional to check the network inside your home or office.

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Wireless Networking

Yes. The amount of security involved is dependent of several factors but most medium to large companies, even some small businesses, have higher levels of security preventing unauthorized access to their network. For example a small medical office has to implement security measures to comply with HIPAA regulations. The best thing to do is ask the system administrator, it may require filling out a form and receiving a login account. or just simply add your wireless card's MAC address to the access point database. In either case, no company wants strangers accessing their private networks. I always advise home-office or just home users to impliment some security measures as a precautionary measure.

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File Sharing

Windows 98 was developed as a "stand-alone" system. Networking on it is not as intuitive as on an NT-based system like Windows XP, so create a user account on the 98 computer identical to the XP or 2000 computer, same user name and password, then try to map a network drive again.

MP3 sharing programs like winMX, iTunes, or Lime, ask if you'd like to share a directory with others when you're installing it. If you didn't at the time, access their "Help" menu to find out how to do it. Another thing to check is the firewall; firewalls block any access to your computer unless you allow certain exceptions. To test it disable the firewall momentarily while someone accesses your music library. If it works, then it will be necesarry to poke a hole in your firewall; read your firewall program documentation to find out how to do it.

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Network Security

Popup advertising is what happened. Popups are techno billboards. By using trickery or false claims, advertisers load small programs onto your computer that spawn the popup ads. Firewalls or Anti-Virus programs can't help, only Anti-Adware or Anti-Spyware programs can help. Unfortunately once so severely infected, it's a good idea to call in someone with experience to clean it up. A professional cleanup requires removing adware from the registry, cookies, temporary folders, uninstalling the adware programs, and running an anti-Adware program like "NoAdaware". The best thing to do is avoid websites that begin asking permission to install or make upgrades to your browser or other software. Don't even bother answering 'No', just press the ALT-F4 keys simultaneously to close the window. Also, to increase security install an Anti-Adware program, and on top of that, download a browser other than Internet Explorer like Mozilla or Opera. Most Adware is geared towards Microsoft's Internet Explorer because it's so widely used by most Windows users.

"I just bought a computer. How can I protect myself from viruses and worms?"

The first thing is to buy and install an Anti-Virus program like McAffee before accessing the internet. The next step, if using Windows XP, turn on the firewall feature or purchase McAffee's Security Center with a built-in firewall. Another precaution is to turn-off the preview pane on your eMail program. Previewing an email is the same as opening it and that can lead to trouble. Lastly keep your Anti-Virus program uptodate, it is very important to stay current.

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Email Issues

The most common reason an attachment can't be opened is because the Operating System (Windows or OS X) doesn't know what program can open it. If an attachment comes from a stranger, the best thing to do is delete it, especially for a Windows computer. If the person who sent it is an acquaintance or business associate, call them. Ask them what program they used to create the attachment.

Some businesses block their company computers from using other email servers by filtering the "send" mail. This is done to prevent intruders from turning a company computer into a SPAM relay or worst. The best thing to do is ask your system administrator for advise. Another thing to do is use your web browser to send mail. Ask the company hosting your web server or the service providing the email service how to access your email via a browser.