TESDA

MAINTAIN COMPUTER
SYSTEM AND NETWORK

PGS CORE 4
Ms. Cyril Casimina
Maintain your system with Windows XP


 Get started with computer maintenance

New to maintaining a computer? With this
roadmap, find out what to do and when to do it.


 Organize files and folders

Do you have trouble finding the files on your
computer? It may be time for basic
housecleaning.

 Delete files you don't need anymore
Learn how file deletion works and what to do if
you delete something by accident.


 Install Windows XP Home Edition backup software

If you’re using Windows XP Home Edition, this
software makes it easier to create backup copies
of your files.


 Back up your files

If you only do one maintenance task on your computer,
make it this one. Keep copies of your important files in
case something happens to your computer.


 Specify how folders open

You can see the contents of your folders in a variety of
ways—from a detailed list of files to thumbnail images of
photos. Learn how to set up the view you see when you
open a particular folder.


 Remove programs you don't need anymore

There's a right way and a wrong way to remove
programs from your computer. Find out the right way.
(Hint: You don't just go in and delete files.)


 Copy your files to a CD

Windows XP uses a two-step process to copy files from
your computer to a CD. See how it works.


 Stay up to date automatically

Set up your computer to automatically get the latest


 Make your computer more secure

Helping you keep your computer and family safe is
so important that Microsoft has devoted an entire
Web site to it.


 Find free downloads for Windows XP

Get started with the world of downloads for
Windows XP.


 Maintenance tasks that improve performance

Is your system not running as quickly as it used
to? It might be time for some performance-
boosting maintenance.


 Configure Windows XP power management

If you use a laptop or a Tablet PC, find out how you
can conserve your system’s battery power.
Windows XP has features that can help.


 Set your clock automatically

Windows XP is set up to synchronize to a network
Get started with computer
maintenance
 Computers, like cars, homes, and
appliances, need regular maintenance to
keep functioning well. Fortunately,
keeping your computer well maintained
isn't a time-consuming task because
most of the work can be completely
automated.

Several things you can do to keep your computer
organized and running smoothly:
 Organize files and folders. If you save all your files in a single
folder, it can quickly become cluttered, making it hard to
locate specific files when you need them. Find out how to
efficiently organize and browse folders that contain many files,
as well as how to search your entire computer for a particular
file.


 Specify how folders open. Microsoft Windows XP displays

folders using a default view based on the types of files in the
folder. For example, your My Pictures folder shows
thumbnails by default, but you can change the view to show
only file names. You can also adjust the view for all folders on
your computer.


 Delete files you don't need anymore. To prevent your

computer from running out of storage space, it's a good idea
to remove files that you no longer need. Windows XP moves
deleted files to the Recycle Bin, where you can recover them
or permanently erase them.


 Remove programs you don't need anymore. Unused

Most aspects of computer maintenance can be
automated by spending a few minutes configuring
your computer:


 Make your computer more secure. Learn four

steps to help protect your computer from Internet
threats.


 Stay up to date automatically. Microsoft regularly

releases updates to Windows XP and other
Microsoft programs to improve their performance
and security. You can set up your computer to
automatically receive and install these updates.


 Set your clock automatically. Over time, your

computer's clock can become a few minutes slow
or fast. Find out how to keep your clock
synchronized with a government clock.


 Configure Windows XP power management. You

can configure how your computer uses power to
 Some maintenance tasks should be performed every week or
every month. You should routinely perform these steps to
keep your computer running like new:

 Perform regular maintenance. If your computer seems

slower than when it was new, you can follow these steps
to improve its performance.


 Find free downloads for Windows XP. There are

thousands of free games, utilities, and productivity tools
available on the Internet. Follow these guidelines to find
great downloads that can help you maintain your
computer.


 Back up your files. Don't risk losing important files if your

computer fails. Create backup copies of your files,
including music and pictures, using an external hard
drive so you can recover them if necessary. You can even
automate the backup process so your files are protected,
even if you are too busy to manually back them up. (If
you use Windows XP Home Edition, you'll need to
install free backup software.)


 Copy your files to a CD. Whether you need to make a

 These guidelines and tips will help you
keep your computer organized and
running smoothly for years to come,
allowing you to get the most out of
your investment.

Organize files and folders

 Your computer puts information at your

fingertips. Over time, however, you
might have so many files that it can be
difficult to find the specific file you
need. Just like a physical filing cabinet,
your computer files can benefit from
better organization.

In order to keep your information
organized, try these tips:

 First, create a folder structure that

organizes your files according to
category.


 Once you've done that, you will be able

to find most files by simply clicking
the folder. If a folder has a large
number of files, you can
use the Details view to locate the file yo
.


 If you aren't sure which folder contains

the file you need, you can
Create a folder
structure
The most effective way to organize your files is
to create a folder structure that fits how you
use your computer. For example,
you might have folders within My Documents for:

 Finances: Documents related to your budget

and taxes


 School: Class notes and reports



 Work: Your résumé and other work-related

documents


 Shopping: Notes comparing different products

and stores


 Home: Records relating to home maintenance

and improvements
 To create a folder structure
1 . Click Start , and 2 . Click the File
then click My menu , click New , and
Documents . then click Folder .
3 . Type the name for your 4. Repeat steps 1-3
new folder , and then until you have moved
press ENTER . all of your files to
their new locations.
 Now that you
have an
organized
system of
folders, when
you save new
files, be sure to
save them in
one of your
folders to keep
things
organized.
Browsing files

Sometimes you know where a file is



stored, but there are so many files in

the folder that it's difficult to find the
file you want. The best way to search
through a large folder is to use the
Details view. The Details view allows
you to quickly sort your files and view
different types of information about
all the files in a folder.

To use the Details view
 1. Open the 2. Click the Views button,
and then click Details.
folder you want
to browse

3. To sort the files, click the column
heading that you want to sort by. For
example, to sort files from oldest to
newest, click the Date Modified
heading. To reverse the sort order (for
example, to sort from newest to
oldest), click the column heading
twice.
4. By default, the Details view
shows the file name, date, size,
and type. You can add other
information as well. To add or
remove columns, right-click a
column heading, and then click
More.
5. In the Choose Details dialog 6. Click OK to add the columns
box, select the columns you want to to your Details view.
see in the Details view. For pictures
and videos, you can add Dimensions
to sort by size. For music, you can
add Artist , Album Title, and
Genre to make it easier to find the
songs you want.

When you modify the columns in the Details view, it affects only the folder you
are viewing.
Searching for files

 If you don't remember which

folder you saved a file in, you
can search for it. To search for
a file
1. Click Start, and then click 2. In the left pane, click the type of
Search. file you want to search for, or click
All files and folders.
3. Based on the type of file you
chose to search for, specify your
criteria. If you know part of the
file name, type it. Then click
Search.
4. Windows XP searches your
computer, which may take several
minutes. Windows XP then displays
the search results, which you can
browse just like files in a folder.
Once you are done searching, click
Yes , finished searching.

Tip : If you want to view any of the search results, double-click the file and it
will open in the relevant application. You can do this as many times as
necessary to find the file you need.
Delete files you don't need
anymore
If you don't get rid of or recycle things


in your house from time to time, you

eventually run out of room. This is
true for your computer as well.
Whether it's a digital picture with
everyone’s eyes closed, an outdated
resume, or a song you're tired of, at
some point everyone needs to delete
files. Deleting a file removes it from
your computer and frees up space for
more files, just like getting rid of old
clothes and shoes frees up room in
your closet.
To help you avoid accidentally deleting a file, Windows
automatically moves a deleted file to the Recycle Bin,
rather than removing it from your computer. You can then
choose to restore it from the Recycle Bin or permanently
remove it by emptying your Recycle Bin. The sections
that follow describe how to delete files and use the
Recycle Bin.

 Note: The following types of files are not

placed in the Recycle Bin:


 Files stored on removable disks

 Files stored on network drives
 Files deleted from compressed
(zipped) folders

How to delete a file
1. To delete a file, click it to 2. When prompted, click Yes.
select it, and then press the
DELETE key.
When you delete a file, Microsoft
Windows XP moves it to the Recycle Bin
so you can recover it later, as
described in the next section. If you
want to permanently remove a file,
empty your Recycle Bin.
Tip: To bypass the Recycle Bin when
deleting a file, hold down the SHIFT
key while pressing DELETE. When
prompted, click Yes to immediately
remove the file from your computer.

Install Windows XP Home Edition Backup
software

Computers, like any appliance, can



break down or fail. To protect your

important files from computer failure,
you should make backup copies of
your files. Each edition of Microsoft
Windows XP—except Windows XP
Home Edition—includes Windows
Backup, a program that helps you
save your files to an external disk. If
you use Windows XP Home Edition,
you can manually install Windows
Backup.
 To manually install Windows Backup
1. Insert your Windows XP CD 2. In the Welcome to Microsoft
into your CD drive. If Windows Windows XP window, click Perform
XP Setup does not appear after additional tasks.
several seconds, open My
Computer, right-click your CD
drive, and then click AutoPlay.
3. Click Browse this CD. 4. Double-click VALUEADD, double-
click MSFT, and then double-click
NTBACKUP to open the
\VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP folder.
5. In the NTBACKUP folder, 6. After setup is complete, click
Finish.
double-click NTBACKUP.

You can now start Windows Backup by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs,
pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking Backup.
For more information about protecting your files from computer failure, read
Back up your files.
Back up your files

 As our world becomes more digitized, the files we

store on our computers are becoming
increasingly more important. Instead of keeping
handwritten letters in a shoebox, we correspond
with family members using e-mail. If we use
digital cameras, we often keep our photo albums
on our computers.


 Unfortunately, computers (and particularly the hard

disk drives that hold your files) can fail. Your
computer might run for a decade with no
problems, or it could fail tomorrow—there's no
way to tell. To make sure you don't lose important
files if your computer stops working, you should
back up your computer on a regular basis. The
backup process copies your files to a safe place
so that even if your computer fails, you won't lose
them.
Choose backup storage
 It doesn't make sense to back up your files to the hard disk
drive inside your computer, because if your computer were
to fail, you would also lose your backup. Instead, you should
back up your files to an external hard disk drive or
removable disk drive, such as a CD. If your computer does
fail, you can then connect the external hard disk drive or
use the CDs to restore your files to your new or repaired
computer. (This article describes how to back up your files
to an external hard disk drive, which is the easiest way to do
a full backup of all your files. If you decide to use CDs, you'll
need to choose which files to back up and then manually
insert and remove CDs as they are filled.)


 If you decide to get an external hard disk drive, choose one

that is at least as large as the hard disk drive inside your
computer. For example, if your computer has a 100-gigabyte
(GB) hard disk drive, choose a 100-GB or larger external
hard disk drive. Then
connect the external hard disk drive to your computer. Make
a note of the drive letter (such as E:, F:, or G:) assigned to
your new hard disk drive.
 With an external hard disk drive, you can
Manually back up your files
To back up your files to an external


1 . Chard disk
lick Start, pointdrive
to Accessories, point to System Tools, and
then click Backup. If the Backup option does not appear on the
System Tools menu, you can install it.
2. The Backup or Restore 3. On the Backup or Restore
page, click Next.
Wizard appears. Click Next.
4. On the What to Back Up
page, click All information
on this computer, and then
click Next.
5. On the Backup Type ,
Destination , and Name page,
click Choose a place to save
your backup, and select your
external hard disk drive. Then
click Next.
6. On the Completing the 7. Windows Backup saves a copy
Backup or Restore Wizard page, of your files to your external
hard disk drive. When the backup
click Finish. is complete, click Close.
 If your computer stops responding, you will
be able to restore your files to the state
they were in when you completed the
backup. However, any new files you have
created and any changes you have made to
existing files since the backup occurred will
not be saved unless you back up your files
again. For best results, back up your files
every week or immediately after creating
important files, such as after you copy
pictures from your digital camera.


 For an additional layer of protection,

purchase a second external hard disk drive
and perform another backup of your hard
disk drive. Store this external hard disk
drive in a different location, such as at a
family member's house, to protect your files
from theft, fire, or natural disasters that
Schedule backups

If you're busy, you might not have time



to manually back up your files every

week. Fortunately, you can schedule
backups to occur automatically. This
takes a few minutes to set up, but
once you've done so, you'll be
protected indefinitely.

To schedule a weekly backup
1 . C lick Start, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then
click Backup. If the Backup option does not appear on the System
Tools menu, you can install it.
2. The Backup or Restore 3. On the Backup or Restore
Wizard appears. Click page, click Next.

Next.
4. On the What to Back Up page, click All information on this computer, and then click
Next.

5. On the Backup Type , Destination , and Name page, click Choose a place
to save your backup, and select your external hard disk drive. Then click
Next.
6. On the Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard page, click
Advanced.

7. On the Type of Backup page, click Next.

8. On the How to Back Up page, click Next.

9. On the Backup Options page, select Replace the existing backups. Then
click Next.
10. On the When to Back Up
page, click Later. In the Job
name box, type Backup. Then
click Set Schedule.
11. On the Schedule tab in the
Schedule Job dialog box, click
the Schedule Task list, and
then click Weekly.
12. In the Start time box, specify a 13. Click the Settings tab. Select
time of day when your computer will the Wake the computer to run
not be used for several hours, such this task check box.
as 3:00 AM. In the Schedule Task
Weekly area, select the day of the
week you want to back up your files.
If you are backing up files
overnight, remember to leave your

computer running the night before.

14. Click OK. 15. In the Set Account
Information dialog box, type your
password in both the Password and
Confirm password fields. Then
click OK.
16. On the When to Back 17. In the Set Account
Up page, click Next. Information dialog box, type
your password in both the
Password and Confirm
password fields. Then click
OK.
18. In the Account Information Warning dialog box, click
OK.

19. On the Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard page, click

Finish.

Your computer will automatically back up your files to your external hard
Specify how folders open

 Microsoft Windows XP automatically

chooses how to display folders based on
the types of files they contain. For
example, Windows XP displays your My
Pictures folder in either Filmstrip or
Thumbnails view so that you can see the
pictures without opening the files.
However, Windows XP displays your My
Music folder in Tiles view so that you can
see the names of the songs. In this
article, you’ll learn the difference
between each type of view and how to
change your folder settings for individual
folders or for all the folders on your
computer.
Change the view for a single folder
 If you are not satisfied with the way Windows XP displays a folder, you can
change it by clicking the Views button on the toolbar and then selecting
one of the following options:
 Filmstrip. Displays a row of thumbnails (reduced images of pictures) and a
large
 preview of the currently selected picture. Filmstrip view is perfect for
folders that contain a few pictures.
•Thumbnails. Displays thumbnails of  Tiles. Displays large icons, file
pictures and videos. Thumbnails view is names, and file information for each
the best choice for folders containing a
large number of pictures.
file.
• Icons. Displays medium-  List. Displays small icons and
sized icons and file names file names for each file.
for each file.
• Details. Displays small icons, file names, and other
information about each file.
Details view allows you to quickly sort files by clicking th
.
Change the view for all folders

 Clicking the Views button allows

you to change the view for only
the folder you currently have
open. You can also reset the
view for all folders.
To reset the view for all
folders

2. Click the Views button, and

1. Click Start, and then click then click the view that you want
My Documents. to apply to all folders.
3. Click Tools, and then click 4. Click the View tab, and then
Folder Options. click Apply to All Folders.
5. Click Yes.
6. Click OK.

The next time you open a folder, it will be displayed using the view
you chose. To restore your original folder settings, repeat steps 1-3.
Then, for step 4, click Reset All Folders.
Remove programs you don't need anymore

 If you installed a program and it

wasn't as useful or as fun as you
had hoped, it's a good idea to
remove it. Every program installed
on your computer takes up space,
and some programs slow your
computer down (even if you don't
use them).

To remove a program
 1. Log on to your computer as an administrator.
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Add or 3. In the Currently installed
programs list, click the program
Remove Programs. that you want to remove. Then,
click Remove or Change / Remove.
4. Follow the instructions that appear to remove your
program. Each program has a different process. Restart
your computer if prompted.

 Note: There may be programs on

your computer that you're not
directly using but that are
important. (Operating system
updates are an example.) If you're
not sure what a program does, it's
wise not to remove it until you're
sure it's something you do not
need. Some programs cannot be
removed from the Add or Remove
Programs window. In this case,
antispyware software such as
Windows Defender may be able to
Remove programs you don't
need anymore
 If you installed a program and it
wasn't as useful or as fun as you
had hoped, it's a good idea to
remove it. Every program installed
on your computer takes up space,
and some programs slow your
computer down (even if you don't
use them).

To remove a program
 1. Log on to your computer as 2 . C lick A d d o r R e m o v e
an administrator. Click Start, P ro g ra m s.
and then click Control Panel.

3. In the Currently installed programs
list, click the program that you want
to remove. Then, click Remove or
Change/Remove.
4 . Fo llo w th e in stru ctio n s th a t
a p p e a r to re m o ve yo u r p ro g ra m .
E a ch p ro g ra m h a s a d iffe re n t
p ro ce ss. R e sta rt yo u r co m p u te r
if p ro m p te d .
N o te : There may be programs
o n yo u r co m p u te r th a t yo u 're
n o t d ire ctly u sin g b u t th a t a re
im p o rta n t. ( O p e ra tin g syste m
u p d a te s a re a n exa m p le .) If
yo u 're n o t su re w h a t a p ro g ra m
d o e s, it's w ise n o t to re m o ve it
u n til yo u 're su re it's so m e th in g
yo u d o n o t n e e d . S o m e
p ro g ra m s ca n n o t b e re m o ve d
fro m th e A d d o r R e m o v e
P ro g ra m s window . In this case ,
a n tisp yw a re so ftw a re su ch a s
W in d o w s D e fe n d e r may be able
to re m o ve th e so ftw a re .
Copy your files to a CD
 For many years, people relied on floppy
disks for transferring and backing up
files. Floppy disks are generally too
small to store today's digital pictures
and video, however, and new
computers don't always include a
floppy disk drive.
 The modern replacement for the floppy
disk is the CD. A CD can store 500
times more data than a floppy disk,
and writable CDs are typically less
expensive than floppy disks. To copy
files to a CD, first
set up your computer and purchase writab
. Then,
Set up your computer to write to CDs
 To write files to a CD, you need a writable
CD drive (known as a CD-RW drive) and
compatible media. Many computers
include CD-RW drives. If yours does, the
CD drive will have a "Compact Disc
ReWritable" logo. If your computer does
not have a writable CD drive, you can
purchase and install an external CD-RW
drive yourself.
 Two types of writable CD media are
available: CD-R and CD-RW. CD-R media
tends to be less expensive, but you can
only write to it once. CD-Rs are perfect for
giving files to someone, because you don't
need to ask for the disk back. By contrast,
you can reuse a CD-RW disk by writing to
it multiple times, just like you would a
Copy files to a CD
 1. Insert the writable CD into your computer.
 2. In the CD Drive dialog box, click Open writable CD folder , and
then click OK.

3. Windows XP displays an Explorer
window showing the blank CD. Leave
this window open, and open a new
Explorer window containing the files
you want to copy to the CD. For
example, open My Documents by
clicking Start, and then clicking My
Documents.
4 . S e le ct th e fo ld e rs o r file s yo u
w a n t to co p y to th e C D . To se le ct
m u ltip le file s, h o ld d o w n th e C T R L
ke y , a n d click e a ch file . R ig h t-click
th e se le cte d file s, a n d th e n click
C op y.
5. Switch back to the Explorer window
showing the blank CD. Click the Edit
menu, and then click Paste. Windows XP
6 . R e p e a t ste p s
prepares the files to be written to
the CD, but does not yet write them to
3 -5 to a d d m o re
the CD.
file s to th e C D .
W rita b le C D s
ca n sto re a b o u t
7 0 0 m e g a b yte s
( MB ) of data . If
yo u h a ve m o re
th a n 7 0 0 M B o f
d a ta to w rite ,
yo u w illn e e d to
u se m u ltip le
7. When you have added all the 8 . W in d o w s X P o p e n s th e C D
files you want to copy, click W ritin g W iza rd . Type a name for
the File menu, and then click th e C D , a n d th e n click N e x t.
Write these files to the CD.
9. If the CD Writing Wizard begins copying files, skip to step 13.
10. If the Cannot Complete the CD Writing Wizard page appears, switch back


to the Explorer window showing the blank CD. Delete some files to reduce the
space below the 700-MB capacity of a writable CD. Deleting files from the CD
does not remove your original files.

11. Switch back to the CD Writing Wizard. Click
Retry writing the files to the CD now, and then
click Next.
12. If the Cannot Complete the CD Writing Wizard page appears
again, repeat steps 10-11 again.

1 3 . T h e C D W ritin g W iza rd copies the filesto your CD , which might

ta ke a s lo n g a s 3 0 m in u te s, d e p e n d in g o n h o w m a n y file s yo u a re
co p yin g .
14. After the wizard has copied Yo u r C D sh o u ld a u to m a tica lly
the files to your CD, click e je ct. R e m o ve th e C D fro m yo u r
Finish. co m p u te r a n d la b e lit w ith a
m a rke r.
Stay up to date
automatically
 The Internet is constantly changing, and
Microsoft Windows XP also needs to
change to remain as reliable and secure
as possible. To keep Windows XP current,
Microsoft releases software updates
about once per month.


 If you don’t want to check for new updates

each month, Windows XP can
automatically download and install them
for you using the Automatic Updates
feature. This means that you can keep
your computer up to date without having
to remember to do anything (except
leave your computer turned on and
To enable Automatic Updates
1. Use Microsoft Internet Explorer to visit Microsoft Update.


 2. On the right side of the page, Internet Explorer displays the

current status of Automatic Updates:

 If Automatic Updates is turned on,
your computer is protected. Windows XP
 If Automatic Updates is
will automatically install updates. You
turned off, click Turn on
don’t need to follow the rest of these Automatic Updates.
steps. To check other aspects of your
computer’s security, read
Make your system more secure.
3. In the Automatic Updates
window, click OK.

Microsoft typically releases updates once per month. Your computer will
automatically download and install those updates. You may be prompted to
restart your computer in order for the updates to take effect.
Make your computer more
secure
 It seems like the media report on a new Internet
attack, spyware program, or virus every week.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a security expert
to improve your computer’s security.


 The quickest way to protect yourself is to sign up for

Windows Live OneCare. OneCare provides virus
scanning, a firewall, tune-ups, automatic updates,
and most everything else you need to help protect
your computer. If you don’t understand how those
security features work, it’s okay, because OneCare
does almost everything automatically. If OneCare
does need information from you, the software
service walks you through the process in a
straightforward, friendly manner.
 If you’d rather not use OneCare, follow these four
steps to make your computer more secure:

1. Install Windows 2 . Install antivirus
XP Service Pack 2 software
Viruses install themselves on your
computer by exploiting a security
 Windows XP Service Pack 2 weakness. Once installed, viruses
(SP2), available freely attempt to propagate to other
computers across the Internet.
from Microsoft Update, Windows XP does not include
greatly improves the antivirus software, so you need to
security of your download and install an antivirus
computer. SP2 updates program, such as
your computer to Windows Live OneCare.
Many other software vendors offer antivi
prevent known .
security threats,
enables Microsoft also offers the free
Automatic Updates to Malicious Software Removal Tool to
help protect you from help clean your computer if it
future security threats, should become infected. However, the
Malicious Software Removal Tool
and enables Windows cleans only a limited number of
Firewall to help protect viruses and cannot prevent virus
you from direct infections. Therefore, you still need
Internet attacks. to install antivirus software.

3. Install antispyware 4 . Back up your
software computer
The first three steps work to
 Spyware is a broad term used protect you from threats
to describe software that against your computer. However,
might install itself without not all threats can be
your knowledge, take
unwanted actions (such as prevented. In particular,
monitoring your computer hardware failure, theft, and
usage or displaying fire can damage your computer
advertisements), and make
itself difficult to remove. If and destroy your data. To
you have ever had your protect yourself from these
Internet Explorer home threats, plan for recovery by
page change, seen a backing up your computer. If
toolbar appear
unexpectedly, or noticed disaster strikes, copies of your
new icons near your system pictures, home movies, e-mail,
clock, you may have and other important documents
spyware on your computer. will be stored safely in your
 backup.
 Antispyware improves your
protection by helping you
remove known spyware
from your computer and
helping block the
installation of new spyware.
Microsoft offers the free
Windows Defender for
Find free downloads for Windows
XP
The old saying, "There's no such thing as


a free lunch," isn't entirely true.

Sometimes talented people give away
the fruits of their hard work for free just
because they enjoy it. When those
talented people are programmers who
write software, millions of computer
users can benefit. Thanks to the
Internet, it's easy for programmers to
share their work and for you to make use
of it.

Several different types of software are
available for free on the Internet:
 • Freeware. These are free downloads that don't
expire after a certain period of time (some
downloadable software does expire). Often freeware
is developed by hobbyist programmers who want to
share with the Internet community. In addition,
software vendors such as Microsoft often offer
free downloads to improve software that users
already own.


 • Adware. These are free downloads that display

advertisements to help fund the development of the
software.


 • Evaluation software. This is software that can be

used for free during a trial period. After the trial
period ends, you must purchase the software to
continue to use it.
  Free software involves license agreements just like
commercial software does. In fact, free software
license agreements often place requirements on
you or restrict you from using the software in
certain ways. The author has the right to do this
because he or she holds the copyright to the
software. You must accept the license agreement
before you use free software, so make sure you
read it.


 While most free downloads are safe, some contain

software that monitors how you use your
computer, displays advertisements without your
knowledge, or changes settings such as your
Microsoft Internet Explorer home page (these
programs are generally referred to as spyware or
malware, respectively). Before you install any
software, you should install Windows Defender or
another antispyware program to help protect your
computer from this type of software.

Where can I get free
software?
 Microsoft offers free downloads that make
Windows and other Microsoft programs
even better. Some of the most fun free
downloads are PowerToys,
Microsoft Photo Story 3,
Windows Media Player 10, and
trial versions of Microsoft games. For a
complete listing of free downloads at
Microsoft, validate your copy of Windows
, and then visit the
Microsoft Download Center.


 You can find dozens of other Web sites

offering free downloads by
searching the Web. If you're looking for a
trial version of a specific program, visit
Finding support for free
software
 There's no support hotline to call if you have a
problem with free software; however, you may
still be able to find help. First, read any Help files
included with the program. Then, visit the
program's Web site, if there is one, and look for
documentation or FAQ (Frequently Asked
Questions).


 If you're still having problems, check the Web for a

forum where you can ask other users for help—
more than likely, someone else has had the same
problem as you and can tell you how to fix it. As
a last resort, you may be able to contact the
software developer directly for assistance. While
they cannot write back to everyone, software
developers appreciate feedback (especially if you
thank them for their effort), and they may be
able to fix your problem in a future release of the
program.
Removing software
 If you enjoy the process of finding and
exploring free software, you will
definitely encounter software that you
don't find useful or entertaining. You
should remove this software to free up
space on your hard disk and keep your
computer from becoming cluttered.

 Maintenance tasks that
improve performance
 If your computer seems slower than it used to be, it
probably is. Over time, computers get slower
because files become disorganized and resources
are consumed by unnecessary software.
Fortunately, Microsoft Windows XP includes tools to
clean up your computer and restore its
performance. The five steps in this article will walk
you through the use of these tools to tune up your
computer.


 Before you do anything, back up your computer.

Some of the steps in this article can cause pre-
existing but hidden problems to surface, which
may keep your computer from starting. A backup
allows you to restore your important files in the
unlikely event that something does go wrong.

1. Remove unused 2. Install and run
programs antispyware software

Most programs can be removed

 First, using the Add or Remove Programs
remove programs youfunction
don'taccessible
use anymore
from Control
Panel, but spyware programs are
. Programs take up more stubborn. Windows Defender
space on your (a free download from Microsoft) or
computer, and another antispyware program can
detect and remove these programs.
some run in the You should always have an
background antispyware program installed,
without your because spyware might install itself
on your computer without your
knowledge. knowledge. After you install the
Removing antispyware program, run it to
programs you detect and remove any unwanted
programs.
don't use can help
restore your
computer's
3. Free up wasted space
 Removing unused programs is a great
way to free up disk space, which will
speed up your computer. Another way to
find wasted disk space is to use the Disk
Cleanup tool.

To run the Disk Cleanup tool

1. Click Start,

and then click
My Computer.


1. Click Start, and then click 2. Right-click Local Disk, and then
My Computer. click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click the 4. The Disk Cleanup dialog box
Disk Cleanup button. Disk will appear. Select each of the
Cleanup will spend a few minutes check boxes in the Files to
examining your disk. delete list, and then click OK.
5. When prompted, click Yes. Disk Cleanup
will spend several minutes removing these
files, which will provide you with more
space.

If you have more than one hard disk drive, repeat this process
for each hard disk drive listed in My Computer.
 Configure Windows XP power
management
 If you’re a portable computer user, you
probably know the frustration of running
out of battery power before you run out
of work. But power management isn’t just
for stretching battery life on portable
computers. Configuring power
management can reduce electrical usage
on your desktop computer and lower your
electric bill.

To configure power management in Microsoft
Windows XP
 1. Log on to your computer 2. Click Performance and
as an administrator. Maintenance.
Click Start, and then
click Control Panel.

3. Click 4. In the Power Options Properties
dialog box, on the Power Schemes
tab, click the Power schemes drop-
Power down list and select the power scheme
that most closely matches how you use
your computer. Different computers
Options. have different power management
capabilities, so your Power Options
Properties dialog box may look
slightly different from the one shown
here.
5. If available, adjust the  6. On the Advanced tab, you can
System standby and System adjust the default behavior of the
power buttons on your computer. If
hibernates settings if you are you have a notebook computer, you
not happy with the default will also see settings for closing the
selection. Standby reduces power lid of your computer and pressing
the sleep button on your computer.
usage when your computer is not On notebook computers, you can
in use by turning off the parts significantly extend the battery life
of your computer that use the by setting the When I close the
lid on my portable computer
most energy. It only takes a few option to Stand by.
seconds to start a computer from
standby. Hibernation saves your 
programs and shuts your computer
down completely. Hibernation
uses no power, but it takes a
few seconds longer to recover
from hibernation when you need
to use your computer again.
Setting shorter delays before
standby and hibernation reduces
power usage, but waiting for
your computer to start may be
inconvenient.
7. On the Hibernate tab, 8. Click OK.
select Enable hibernation if
it is not already selected.

Power managements options, such as System standby and System hibernation

, are a compromise between power usage and convenience . If you find it annoying when your compute
Set your clock
automatically
 Like most clocks, the clock on your
computer gradually becomes
inaccurate as it loses a few seconds
each year. However, if you have an
Internet connection, Microsoft
Windows XP can automatically
synchronize your clock to keep it
accurate.

To configure your clock to automatically
synchronize with Internet time servers

 1. Right-click your 2. Click the Internet Time tab.

Click the Server down arrow, and
clock, and then then click time . nist . gov. Notice
click Adjust that Internet time synchronization
is enabled by default.
Date/Time.

3. Click Update Now. Windows XP 4. Click OK.
contacts the Internet time
server and sets your clock.
 Using and maintaining your
network
 Now that you have your home or small
office network set up, keep it running
smoothly by following these tips for using,
maintaining, and troubleshooting common
network problems.
Using your network

 1. How to share and stop sharing files

Let different users on your network
connect to the same folders and
documents—but only when you allow it.

2 . H o w to m a p a n e tw o rk d rive
Le a rn th e sim p le w a y to m a p a n e tw o rk d rive
so yo u ca n g e t to it q u ickly w h e n yo u n e e d to .
3 . S h a rin g p rin te rs
O n e o f th e to p re a so n s to se t u p a h o m e
n e tw o rk is so th a t d iffe re n t co m p u te rs ca n
u se th e sa m e p rin te r. Le a rn h o w to sh a re yo u r
Maintaining your network
Managing your network connections


Stay in control of your network. Discover the

best ways to manage your network
connections, security settings, and more.
Back
 up your network settings
Find out how to help protect your network
settings in case your
hard disk fails or your settings are
How to repairerased
accidentally network
. connections
Can't connect to your network? Learn how to get
that broken
connection up and running again.
Test your Internet Router
Run this test to see which Internet
technologies your router
supports.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/tools/igd/default.ms
 Solving common problems
Troubleshooting network connection problem


Learn about the problems that most often

cause headaches for home networks
users, and discover the resources to help
you resolve them.

Sharing files

 If you have multiple computers in your home

and they are connected through a
home network, you can share files among
your computers. That means you no longer
have to copy files to a floppy disk or USB
flash drive to transfer them to another
computer. Once you configure your
computer to share files, you (or another
user with the appropriate permissions) can,
by using Windows Explorer, open them from
other computers connected to the network,
just like you’d open files that are stored on
a single computer. You can also choose to
have folders visible—but not modifiable—
from other computers on the network.

To share files on your computer with other
computers on a network, you need to:
 . This will make all of the files in the folder
available to all the computers on your
network (you can’t share individual files).


 Set up user accounts on your computer for

everyone who needs to connect to your
shared folder. If any of the accounts are
Limited User accounts (unless an account
is a Computer Administrator account, it is
a Limited User account), follow the steps
in Set permissions for files and folders to
enable them to open your files.

To access shared files that are on another
computer on your network, you need to:

 Connect to the shared folder from other computers

on the network. This procedure is described in
Map a network drive.
Note: By default, file permissions only allow your user account
 administrators on your local computer to open your files,
and
regardless of whether a person is sitting at your keyboard or at
another computer. It may help to keep these three things in mind
when setting up file sharing:
1.Files have user permission settings.

2. Every computer has its own user database.

3. Some accounts are administrator accounts and some aren’t.

 Configure your computer to
share files
 To share a folder on your computer
so that files stored in the folder
can be accessed from other
computers on your home network

1 . Lo g o n to yo u r co m p u te r a s a n a d m in istra to r. Fo r
m o re in fo rm a tio n , se e
A cce ss th e a d m in istra to r a cco u n t fro m th e W e lco m e scr
.
2. Click Start, and 3. Right-click the folder that
you want to share, and then
then click My click Sharing and Security.
Documents.
4. If you see a message that reads, As a 5. In the Properties dialog box,
security measure, Windows has disabled remote select the Share this folder
access to this computer, click the Network
Setup Wizard link. Then follow the
on the network check box.
instructions in
How to set up your computer for home networking
. On the File and printer sharing page of the
Network Setup Wizard, be sure to select Turn
on file and printer sharing. If you do not see
this message, skip this step and go to step 5.

 Note: If you do not see the Network Setup

Wizard link or the Share this folder on the
network check box, your computer probably
has Simple File Sharing disabled. This is a
common change made to computers used for
business. In fact, it happens automatically
when a computer joins an Active Directory
domain. You should
follow these instructions to share a folder
6. If you want to be able to edit your
files from any computer on your network 7. Click OK.
(instead of just being able to open
them without saving any changes),
select the Allow network users to
change my files check box.
  Windows Explorer will show a hand holding
the folder icon, indicating that the folder
is now shared.


 To connect to the shared folder from

another computer, follow the steps
described in How to map a network drive.

 Note: By default, only you and other
people with an administrator account on
the computer sharing the folder will be
able to open your files. To limit access of
specific users with an administrator
account on the computer sharing the
folder, read
Mapping a network drive

 Moving files between computers on a

floppy disk (the so-called "sneakernet")
is a thing of the past. If you have more
than one computer in your home, you
can share files across your
home network. Shared folders from
other computers appear in Windows
Explorer just as if they were on the
computer you're using.

 Sharing files is a two-step
process:
1. Share a folder on the computer that stores your files.
This step is described in Sharing files.
2.
 2. Create a connection to the shared folder on the
computer that you want to use to open the files. You
can connect to the shared folder in two ways:


• You can . This is the quickest way to get to your

shared files.
— or —

• You can . This way makes it easier to open the folder

in the future.


 The steps for both of these ways to connect to a shared

folder on another computer on your home network are
Open a shared folder
 1. On your desktop, double-click My
Network Places.





 Note:  If My Network Places is not on
your desktop, click Start, and then
click My Network Places on the
Start menu.
2. In My Network Places,
double-click the folder you
want to open.
3. In the Map Network 4. In the Browse For Folder
dialog box, click the folder
Drive dialog box, you want to connect to, and
then click OK.
click Browse.
5. In the Map Network Drive 6. If prompted, type your user
dialog box, make a note of the name and password, and then
drive letter shown, and then click OK.
click Finish.

Microsoft Windows XP will open a folder to your shared files. In the

future, you can open the shared folder from My Computer by clicking
the appropriate drive letter.
Sharing printers

Even if you have more than one computer,



you don’t need more than one printer.

Instead, connect your computers and
your printer to a home network, and you
can use the printer from any computer on
your network as if it were directly
connected to the computer you’re
working on. Just be sure you leave the
computer the printer is attached to
turned on.
To set up printer sharing,
you have to:
1.Share the printer from the computer that
it is attached to.


1.Connect to the shared printer on the

computer(s) that you want to print
from.


These steps are described below.

Share your printer
On the computer that has the printer attached

 1. Log on to your 2. Click Start, and then click Printers

and Faxes.
computer as an
administrator. For more
information, see
Access the administrator account from the Welcome scr
.


Note : Depending on your computer

settings or your version of
Microsoft Windows XP, you may have
to access the Printers and Faxes
option through the Control Panel.
3. In the Printers and Faxes
window, right-click your
printer, and then click
Sharing.
4. In the My Printer
Properties dialog box, click
Share this printer.
5. Click OK.

Your printer is now shared, and you are ready to connect to it from
your other computer(s), as described in the next section.
Connect to a shared printer
To connect to a shared printer on your home


network
1. Click Start, and then click 2. In the Printers and Faxes
Printers and Faxes. window, click File, and then click
Add Printer.

Note : Depending on your computer settings or your version of Microsoft

Windows XP, you may have to access the Printers and Faxes option through
the Control Panel.
3. On the Welcome to the Add
Printer Wizard page, click
Next.
4. On the Local or Network
Printer page, click A network
printer , or a printer attached
to another computer, and then
click Next.
5. On the Specify a 6. On the Browse for Printer


page, under Microsoft

Printer page, click Windows Network, expand
Browse for a printer, any groups you see by
clicking the plus sign next to
and then click Next. the group name. Then select
your printer. Click Next.

7. In the Connect to Printer dialog box, click Yes.

8. On the Completing the Add Printer Wizard page,



click Finish.


You are now ready to print to the network printer, just as you would to a printer
that is attached directly to your computer.
Repeat these steps for each computer on your home network to connect them to the
shared printer.
 Managing your network
connections
 The network connections settings in
Microsoft Windows XP specify how your
computer will connect to a network. If
you use a laptop, you might need to
change your network connections to
adapt to different environments. For
example, you might want to use your
wired network connection to conserve
battery power while sitting at your desk
and your wireless network connection
when you're at the local coffee shop.
You might also need to change network
settings if you add a network adapter or
change Internet service providers (ISPs).
To manage your network connections, first
open Network Connections
1. Click Start, and then click 2. In Control Panel, under Pick a
Control Panel. Category, click Network and
Internet Connections.
3. Under or pick a Control
Panel icon, click Network Windows XP
Connections. displays the
Network
Connections
window. In this
window, you can
perform several
network
management
tasks:
Disable a network connection. Disable a network connection if you
aren't using it. For example, if your computer has a built-in
wireless connection, and you're currently connected to a wired
network, you should disable the wireless network connection to make
sure your computer doesn't use the slower wireless connection.
You'll save power, too. To disable a network connection, right-
click the network connection, and then click Disable.
Enable a network connection. To enable a
previously disabled network connection, right-
click the network connection, and then click
Enable.
To configure your IP settings, follow
these steps in the Network Connections
window
1. Right-click your network connection,
2. On the General tab, under This
connection uses the following
and then click Properties. items, click Internet Protocol
( TCP / IP ) . Then click Properties.
Repair a network connection. Windows XP can solve common
network problems automatically. To repair a network
connection, right-click the network connection, and then
click Repair.

Configure your Internet Protocol ( IP ) settings. Though you rarely need to

change the default settings, your employer or your ISP might request that you
specify your IP address and Domain Name System (DNS) servers.
3. In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box,
configure your network settings, and then click OK. Click
Close to return to the Network Connections window.
Back up your network
settings
Once you get your home or small business


network set up the way you want it, making

changes can sometimes create unexpected
results. If you want to make changes to your
network settings (which include the unique
addresses the Internet uses to identify your
computer and related equipment used for your
connection), you might be concerned that you
won’t be able to return them to their original
settings if you make a mistake. Don’t worry—
with Microsoft Windows XP, you can back up
your network settings and
restore them later, if necessary. It’s not as easy
as clicking Undo, but it’s straightforward and
Note : If you are using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, you have to
only
first takes
install a few
Windows minutes.
Backup.

To back up your network settings
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to
System Tools, and then click Backup.


2. The Backup or Restore 3. On the Backup or Restore page,
Wizard appears. Click Next. make sure that Back up files and
settings is selected, and then
click Next.
4. On the What to Back Up page,
click Let me choose what to back
up. Then click Next.
5. On the Items to Back Up page,
expand My Computer, and then select
System State. You can back up other
files and folders at the same time by
selecting those folders. Then click
Next.
6. On the Backup Type , Destination , and Name page, click the
Browse button and select a backup destination with at least 500
megabytes (MB) of free space. Because you’re trying to back up only your
network settings, it’s usually okay just to save the backup to your My
Documents folder. If you want to be able to restore the backup after a
hard disk failure, save the backup to a USB flash drive, an external
hard disk drive, or a folder on a different computer. In the Type a
name for this backup box, type System settings or another useful
description. Click Next.
7. On the Completing the Backup
or Restore Wizard page, click
Finish.
8. Windows Backup backs up
your system settings to the
specified location. This will
take several minutes. After
the backup is complete, click
Close.
Repairing network
connections
 Networks are easy to use, but when they stop
working, troubleshooting them can require help
from an experienced professional. Fortunately,
Microsoft Windows XP has a repair tool that can fix
many common networking problems. Using the tool
takes only a few minutes, and you don’t even need
to read a manual.
Tip : If the Network Connections icon appears in the notification
 area in the lower right corner of your screen, you can right-click
it, and then click Repair on the shortcut menu instead of
following the steps below.
To use Windows XP to attempt to
automatically repair your network
connection
1. Click Start, and then
 2. In the Control Panel, under
Pick a Category, click Network
click Control Panel. and Internet Connections.

3. In the Network and
Internet Connections window,
under or pick a Control
Panel icon, click Network
Connections.
4. Right-click your network connection,

and then click Repair. If Repair is
not available, make sure the
network cable is connected and the
network connection is enabled. For
help enabling your connection, read
Managing your network connections
.

5. Windows XP will attempt to repair your network
connection. If it is unsuccessful, it will display a
message describing the problem. After it is done, click
Close.

 Now you're ready to test your connection. The best way to test your
connection is to open a browser and attempt to visit several
different Web sites. If any of the Web sites open correctly, your
problem has been solved.
 Windows XP can fix most common configuration and software
problems. However, Windows XP cannot fix problems with your
modem or network. Windows XP also cannot fix hardware problems,
such as a disconnected network cable or a faulty network card.
Troubleshooting network connection
problems
 Depending on how elaborate they are, home
networks can be complicated. Unfortunately,
because of this complexity, problems occasionally
happen. Fortunately, you can usually solve these
problems yourself. In most cases, finding the
problem is a matter of going through a series of
steps to eliminate potential issues one by one until
you find the source of the problem. This article
walks you through isolating your problem,
troubleshooting the problem, and, if necessary,
contacting the right organization for support.


 If you are setting up your home network for the first

time, refer to Set up a wired network or
Set up a wireless network. The guidance in this
article assumes that you were previously able to
use your network, although the information here
might be useful for troubleshooting setup
problems, too.
How to isolate networking
problems
 People who work with networks think of them in terms of
layers. These layers include the Internet, your modem
and router, and the computer (or computers) on your
network. To troubleshoot a problem effectively, you
must first identify which network layer is causing the
problem. The following diagram shows the different
layers that might be the cause of a problem.


Although you can fix most problems

yourself, if you can't fix a problem, it's
helpful to know which layer is causing it
so that you can contact the right
organization for support.
 To identify which layer is
causing the problem
1. Click Start, and then
 2. Click Network and
Internet Connections.
click Control Panel.

3. Under or pick a Control
Panel icon, click Network 4. In the
Connections.
Network
Connections
window,
examine the
status of your
network
adapter:
• Connected. Your computer is properly  Disabled . Someone has manually
connected to your modem, router, or disabled the network adapter. To fix
wireless network, but there is a problem
between your router and the Internet. Read
the problem, right-click the adapter,
. and then click Enable.

 Unplugged . Your computer cannot  Not connected . Your computer

detect the connection to your modem cannot connect to your wireless
or router. network.

 Limited or no connectivity . Your computer is properly connected

to your modem, router, or wireless network, but your router is
misconfigured or there is a problem between your modem and the Internet.
5. If your network adapter does not
appear in the Network Connections
window, it has not been properly
installed. Uninstall the driver and
network adapter as described in
Troubleshoot device driver problems.
Then reinstall the network adapter
according to the manufacturer's
instructions or by following the
instructions in
Install a network adapter.
Windows XP says your network adapter is unplugged
 If Microsoft Windows XP indicates that your network adapter is
unplugged, it could be because of several different problems. Follow
these steps to troubleshoot the problem. (You can stop following the
steps if your network connection starts to work.)
1. Verify that both ends of the network cable are properly connected.

2. If the cable is properly connected, verify that your modem and router
are plugged in and turned on.

3. If you have more than one network port available in your router, plug
the cable into a different port. If the network connection works, the
original port on your router is faulty. However, you can continue to use
the other ports.
4. Replace the network cable with a new cable. You might have a faulty
network cable.
5. The network adapter on your computer might have failed. If possible,
connect a different computer to the same network cable. If the
connection works, the problem is with your network adapter. Contact your
computer manufacturer for support, or install a new network adapter. If
the new computer also fails to connect and you have already tried a new
network cable, your network hardware (the device you connect the network
cable to) has failed.
After following these steps, you should have identified the problem as
your computer's network adapter, the network cable, or your network
equipment, and then either replaced or repaired the failed device.
Windows XP says your network adapter has limited or no connectivity
 If Windows XP says your network adapter has limited or no connectivity, it could be due
to several different problems, including a failed Internet connection, a misconfigured
router, or a misconfigured network adapter. Follow these steps to troubleshoot the
problem. (You can stop following the steps if your network connection starts to work.)


1. In the Network Connections window, right-click your network
adapter, and then click Repair.
2. Unplug your modem. If you are unsure which device might be your modem,
it is the device that is connected directly to your phone line (if you
have DSL) or cable connection (if you have a cable modem). Wait one minute,
and then plug your modem back in again.
3. If you have a router connected to your modem, unplug it. If you are
unsure which device might be your router, look for the device that has at
least two network cables: one that connects to your modem; and another
that connects to your computer. You may also have a wireless router, which
would be connected to your modem and would have one or more antennas.
Wait one minute, and then plug your router back in again.
4. Restart your computer.
5. If your network adapter still shows "Limited or no connectivity" and
you have customized your router's configuration, verify that the router
has DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) enabled. Enable DHCP, and
then restart your computer. DHCP automatically assigns an Internet
Protocol (IP) address to your computer, which uniquely identifies your
computer on your network. For instructions on how to enable DHCP for your
router, refer to your router's documentation.
6. If you are using a router, unplug the network cable that connects your
modem to your router, and connect your computer directly to your modem. Then
restart your computer. If your computer connects properly after restarting,
the problem is with your router. Contact your router manufacturer for
support.
7. If your network adapter still indicates "Limited or no connectivity" when your

computer is connected directly to your modem, contact your Internet service

provider (ISP) for support. To speed up the troubleshooting process, describe
the steps you have already taken, including restarting your modem, router,
and computer, and connecting your computer directly to your modem. The
"Limited or no connectivity" error message indicates that your computer is
properly connected to your home network; however, the ISP's DHCP server is
not assigning it an IP address. This problem could be caused by a failed DHCP
server on the ISP's network, a failed modem, or a problem with your Internet
connection. Alternatively, the ISP may require you to use a "static" IP address,
which only its support staff can help you configure.
After following these steps, you should have identified the problem as
your router, your modem, or your Internet connection, and then either
reconfigured or repaired the failed component.
Windows XP says your network adapter is
connected, but you can't reach the Internet
 If you reached this section, your computer is probably
connected to your home network properly, but there is a
failure with your router, modem, or Internet connection. In
this case:
1 . First, ve rify th a t yo u ca n 't re a ch th e In te rn e t. S ta rt M icro so ft In te rn e t E xp lo re r,
an d a tte m p t to co n n e ct to th e fo llo w in g W e b site s: w w w . m icro so ft. co m ,
w w w . m sn . co m , and w w w . w in d o w sm a rke tp la ce . co m . Ifany of the Web sites open
co rre ctly , yo u r In te rn e t co n n e ctio n is fu n ctio n in g p ro p e rly. If a llo f th e W e b site s
fa ilto o p e n , co n tin u e fo llo w in g th e se ste p s.
2 . U n p lu g yo u r m o d e m . If yo u a re u n su re w h ich d e vice m ig h t b e yo u r m o d e m , it
is th e d e vice th a t is co n n e cte d d ire ctly to yo u r p h o n e lin e ( if yo u h a ve D S L ) o r
ca b le co n n e ctio n ( if yo u h a ve a ca b le m o d e m ). W a it o n e m in u te , a n d th e n p lu g
yo
3 . uIfryo
m uo dheamvebaa ck
ro uinteargco
a innn. e cte d to yo u r m o d e m , u n p lu g it. If yo u a re u n su re
w h ich d e vice m ig h t b e yo u r ro u te r, lo o k fo r th e d e vice th a t is co n n e cte d d ire ctly
to yo u r m o d e m . W a it o n e m in u te , a n d th e n p lu g yo u r ro u te r b a ck in a g a in .
4. Restart your co m p u te r.
5. If you have more than one computer on your network, turn the other computers
off. Also, close any network applications that you might have open, including file
sharing and peer-to-peer applications. These applications can consume so much
bandwidth that they might prevent you from being able to browse the Web. Repeat
step 1 to retest your Internet connection. If the connection works now, the
problem is that one of your applications is consuming too much of your Internet
bandwidth or attempting to connect to too many different computers. Close the
application, or configure it to use less bandwidth or fewer connections.
6. If you have previously configured your computer with a
static IP address (for example, to connect to your office
network), you probably need an automatic IP address at
home.
7. If you are using a router, unplug the network cable that connects your


modem to your router, and connect your computer directly to your

modem. Then restart your computer. If your computer connects
properly after restarting, the problem is with your router.
8 . If p o ssib le , co n n e ct a d iffe re n t co m p u te r to yo u r m o d e m , a n d
a tte m p t to a cce ss th e In te rn e t. If th e co m p u te r is a b le to a cce ss th e
In te rn e t, yo u m ig h t h a ve a p ro b le m w ith yo u r W e b b ro w se r.

9 . Yo u r m o d e m o r yo u r In te rn e t co n n e ctio n h a s fa ile d . To re so lve th e

p ro b le m , co n ta ct yo u r IS P te ch n ica l su p p o rt. To sp e e d u p th e
tro u b le sh o o tin g p ro ce ss, d e scrib e th e ste p s yo u h a ve a lre a d y ta ke n ,
in clu d in g re sta rtin g yo u r m o d e m , ro u te r, a n d co m p u te r, a n d
co n n e ctin g yo u r co m p u te r d ire ctly to yo u r m o d e m .

A fte r fo llo w in g th e se ste p s, yo u sh o u ld h a ve id e n tifie d th e p ro b le m a s

yo u r ro u te r, m o d e m , In te rn e t co n n e ctio n , o r W e b b ro w se r, a n d th e n
e ith e r re co n fig u re d o r re p a ire d th e fa ile d co m p o n e n t.
Thank You !!!
Good Luck …