Can't connect to the internet
 

a friend of mine recently wiped my computer (windows XP) and installed Linux. The internet provider is Comcast cable. I have not ever had a problem connecting w/ windows XP but now I can't connect to the internet. I've spent hours on the phone w/ IT at Comcast and they tell me that I have connection to their modem and I also have a valid IP number. They seem to think that it could be something as simple as a setting, somewhere in the program and advised me to contact Linux for a solution. I am anxious to use Linux as my friends rave about the performance and all the 'bells & whistles' so the speak. Please help me. I have since, reinstalled windows XP (because I need to use the internet a lot, but can't get connected to the internet with it either.Again Comcast shows that I have connection to their modem and I have a valid IP address, but still can not connect to the internet. They seem to think that since all other variables remain constant except for the installing of Linux that the problem lies somewhere in that install. Please HELP........I'm a senior citizen and all this excitement is almost too much for me.

Jay

From one senior citizen to another, welcome to Linux! Have a look at this thread, which may solve the problem:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...problems-3923/

@ Jay
 

Hi Jay,

As I can understand you were earlier running on Windows XP and then you installed Linux on it but your internet stopped working. To get the internet working you again installed Windows XP but now internet is not working on Windows XP either.

Please try the following things and let us know the results:

1. Go to Start -> Run, it will open up a small box.
2. Type "cmd" without quotes there. It will open up a black window.
3. Type "ipconfig /all" without quotes in that black window and note down the output.
4. Type "tracert www.google.com" without quotes in that black window and note down the output.

Also ask the Comcost guys what is their default gateway IP/dns server ip/dhcp server ip.

Please paste the output of the above commands in this thread.

Jay12345, Comcast (or pretty much ANY ISP), won't be too eager to help you with anything other than Windows. Even Macs are sometimes left wanting for support. How do you (physically) make your connection? Do you have a 'modem' that your computer plugs in to, or is it a switch/router type device that also provides wireless? If you're using Windows again, then Comcast is full of it...if you put your system back how it was, then it should be working. Linux doesn't 'do' anything magic to hardware to make it stop working.

If you're plugged directly in to a 'modem', then the easiest thing to do would be to get a SOHO router (with or without wireless, depending on your needs), and let it make your connection to the modem. Any/all computers at your house would then just have to connect to it, and you're off to the races. If you've already GOT a router (provided by your ISP), then you need to first tell us what version/distro of Linux you're using, as your configuration options will differ slightly, depending on distro. Chances are, you either have your Linux box set for DHCP and you need to set a static address, or vice/versa.

Either way, Comcast should be able to tell you what your settings should be, to make a connection. And seriously, if "all this excitement is almost too much for me", you may want to call your friend over who installed Linux, and let them deal with it.

If you have a router, disconnect it and try connecting directly through the modem (if you don't have a router, get one--connecting directly through the modem is insecure).

Try connecting with another computer.

You need to determine whether the problem is the computer or the connection and ruling out the possibilities one-by-one is the best way.

Try this if you haven't already done so:

1. Power down (fancy schmancy talk for "unplug") your router (if you have one), then your modem.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Power up the modem and wait until the LED action stabilizes.
4. If you have a router, power up the router,
5. Connect the computer and test.