Windows 7 Annoyances

Internet Me

Connecting to the Web is much easier than it used to be, so much so that Windows basically takes this for granted. In fact, I’m going to make this really easy for you: if you have broadband (typically via DSL or cable), and you’re not using a router, get one right now and hook it up. Once you set up your router (see Set Up a Wireless Router), connect your PC to the router either wirelessly or with a cable, and you’re online. That’s it.

Now, if you have broadband but you can’t use a router for some reason, or if you’re (gasp) still using dial-up, then you need to configure Windows to connect to the Internet for you. Of course, the procedure depends on the type of connection you’re setting up:

Broadband with a static IP address

Follow the steps in Troubleshoot Network Connections, to set up your Ethernet adapter to use your Internet connection’s static IP address. But do this only if you have no router, which means you also have no protection.

Broadband with a username and password (PPPoE)

Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) is used to establish temporary, dynamic IP connections over broadband. If your Internet connection has a dynamic IP address, it means your ISP assigns you a different IP address every time you connect to the Internet. The PPPoE protocol facilitates this connection by sending your username and password to your provider. Again, follow these steps only if you have no router to do this for you.

Note

Never use the proprietary software provided by your ...