THE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT IS ANYBODY IN?
Recently The Full Poodle was deluged by calls from clients who had email problems or couldn't get onto the Internet. With just one exception they were the result of a general broadband failure at the Lyme Regis exchange, which lasted all day. Suddenly we were all made very aware of how much we rely on the Internet.When these things happen our first reaction is to assume it's just us, but there are a few simple steps we can take to narrow down the problem.
Firstly, if your email isn’t working, check if you can actually get onto the Internet by opening your Internet browser. If you don't have an Internet connection, then you won't have email, so you can forget about fiddling with the email settings!
Next take a look at the lights on your router. Assuming it has not failed completely, the first light to check is the main broadband signal light. This will usually be labelled 'DSL' or 'ADSL', or perhaps have a little 'radar' type symbol. On most routers this will show a reassuring steady green or blue light if you have a broadband signal. You won’t have a signal if the light is off, flashing, or is coloured red/orange.
However, if this light is OK - the next one to check is the light marked 'Internet', which often has a little 'globe' symbol. This should be the same colour as the previous light and indicates that your use of the broadband is authorised by your service provider and that the router is connected to the Internet.
If either of the lights show a problem switch the router off for a few minutes, and wait another few minutes after you turn it back on before you look again.
If the lights still show a connection problem, now is the time to phone your Internet Service Provider. But the number you want is on their website isn't it? Which brings me on to a piece of core advice. Look up the contact phone number for your ISP now, record it and keep it on or by the computer, possibly on a piece of paper with your router details. A piece of paper in this day and age? Why not - even the most determined virus can't leap out of your computer and read a book.
If your router appears to be showing that you are connected then you almost certainly have a problem with your computer's connectivity. Things might start getting a touch black magical from this point …
The Full Poodle 01297 443819 info@thefullpoodle.com