OK I know that I have very limited knowledge of computers but I'm at the end of my rope with this dsl stuff and I'm not getting anywhere with the customer service right now because of the ice storms backing everything up.

I have purchased high speed internet service from centurytel and Have gotten the dsl box wired up to the computer and checked ok for wiring per the installation cd, the trouble is when I go through the installation steps all is fine until I get to the last one which is signing online (now here is my confusion) I have my old dial up phone line disconnected so I can plug up the dsl box there,but when trying to acsess the internet is says no connection found????

I have called centurytel's tec line only to be refered to Dells tec line to be refered to centurytels tec line to be refered to dells tec line see where I'm going with this???? I don't know what the hell to do next and am just fed up with all of it.

I know this is supposed to be a fairly simlpe installation but somehow I've managed to make it impossible, can anyone help me? if so I will be glad to provide all the info I can!!!!! thank you.

Ok, first things first, please flip over the modem and tell me what the model number is.

Second, most Westell modems have two ways to connect to the internet: You can connect the modem to the computer using a USB cable OR you can connect it using a network cable.

Many people run from their telephone line into the modem using a phone cord, and run from the modem to the computer using a network cable (looks like a phone cord, only the ends are wider).

Here is the gist of how it works: Normally you will hook the modem up to your computer somehow, and you will be asked to plugin your username and password into the modem. A lot of times, the modem will store this information and use it to stay connected to the internet, even when you are not surfing the web.

You should be able to run the phone line to the modem and turn on the modem - lights should start blinking on it. Depending on what lights stay lit, what lights stay dark and what lights blink, this is a great indicator as to what state your connection is in.

I need to know what version of Windows you are using to tell you more - and don't forget to tell me what the model number is from the bottom of your modem.

OK model # E90-610014-06
as for the lights
powe light steady on
ethernet light steady on
dsl light steady on

the guy I talked to at dell said I may have a prob with the network card? when I put in the installation cd it did a check on everything and said all was good. Is this network card or adaptor the same as nic??? I know they have got there hands full at dell right now with being so backed up from the storms thats why I'm asking here. forgot I'm using windows xp

I'm sorry Shifty I said the guy I talked to at dell but I meant the guy I talked to at centurytel. I haven't talkedto anyone from dell yet but I really don't think it has anything to do with my computer. I think the problem is with my lack of computer knowledge.

It sounds like, based on the lights, you are fully connected to the internet, and the modem is recognizing your computer as connected to the modem.

Please do something for me, would you? Click on the start menu and choose RUN. Please (specifically) copy and paste this line into the run window and click OK:

ipconfig /all > \network.txt

I am suggesting you copy and pasted because all of the spaces and slashes there are VERY important.

Once you click OK, you will probably see a program windown open and close reallly fast, so fast you can't see what it says. You should be able to go to the C:\ drive and there will be a file called 'network.txt' at C:\network.txt.

Open this file. Copy and paste the contents here in a reply post. This will give me an idea of what your modem is seeing from the network side of things.

Also, please confirm for me - is this your modem? http://www.westell.com/content/products/pdf/proline.pdf

Ok, more questions: Can you confirm if there is a USB plug on the back or side of the modem? It (the hole) should be shaped like this: http://www.ladyada.net/make/x0xb0x/fab/images/usbjack_t.jpg

Also, please confirm for me - is this your modem? http://www.westell.com/content/products/pdf/proline.pdf

Thats it, it does have the usb port but I didn't use it because of having trouble tryingto plug it up. The usb light never would come on and stay on so I switched to the network cable and it did fine.

As for the other thing I copied and pasted and it did what you said it would but I can not find it in my c drive, I done it a couple of times and still couldn't find it.

Guess the hell what Shifty!!!!!!! I got it finally. the whole time it was my computer and I thought I was just dumber than sh*t. I had to reinstall my local area connection or nic card and everything works just perfect. All of this and it just took me 2 days and about 5 hrs on the phone with the tecs. I can say that the ones I talked with was very understanding and no way would I want there job.

Anyway thanks for your help and I glad to know that I can call on you if I need to and you'll be there.