I am having problems connecting to the internet through a computer in my house. I have a LAN connection and the computer is running Windows ME but I am having problems connecting to the internet. All the protocols and everything are set right, I've tried to reset the ip, but I still can't connect and I do not know why.

Add your ISP's DNS settings in your LAN connection.

The dns is automatically configered

Can you be more specific about what settings you have, and what happens when you try to connect?

The dns is automatically configeredThey may not be. When you conenct directly to your ISP they "push" the DNS settings to you; your computer connected to a router/hub does not get this. Perhaps you should try setting the DNS entries manually.

Ok, I have 2 computers running off an 8 port switch. This one that I am using has windows xp and I didn't have to do anything to configure it, I guess it did it itself. But on the other computer with ME it tells me there is no dhcp server and it is receiving a little bit but not sending anything. I do not know what to set in the dns to get it going.

Ok, I have 2 computers running off of an 8 port switch. This one that I am using has windows xp and I didn't have to do anything to configure it, I guess it did it itself. But on the other computer with ME it tells me there is no dhcp server and it is recieving a little bit but not sending anything. I do not know what to set in the dns to get it going.

Ahh that is the issue, a switch doesn't allow you to share the connection. You need a broadband router which will supply the DHCP server.

Then what is the point of a switch? It is the same switch they use to network in a school or office setting and it seems to work fine.

The point of a switch is to connect several devices into a LAN. But it has nothing to do with sharing the Internet. That means connecting to a WAN and you need a router for that. Most broadband routers incoude a 4 port switch. If you need more than 4 ports you can daisy chain your existing switch into it.

Just to add to my previous post. When you add the DNS settings, don't forget to also add the ISP gateway IP address.

Ok, Thank You guys

When I add the default gateway and the dns servers it still does not work. When I use the command promt with ipconfig/all it still has the computer given ip address, no default gateway, and a computer issued subnet mask. If I try to renew it tells me there is no dhcp server.

When I add the default gateway and the dns servers it still does not work. When I use the command promt with ipconfig/all it still has the computer given ip address, no default gateway, and a computer issued subnet mask. If I try to renew it tells me there is no dhcp server.

Because you don't have a DHCP server. That's a function that a broadband router provides.

How would I get the server with a switch then?

How would I get the server with a switch then?

It is possible to set up a DHCP server on one of your computers.

However, that will not solve the problem you are trying to solve.

In order to give you a definitive answer, we need to know more about your network setup.

You said you have 2 computers connected to an 8-port switch. Okay. So what is the switch connected to?

When you consider that routers are $40 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat01029&type=category), the solution would seem quite simple to me.

How would I get the server with a switch then?

A switch doesn't have the intelligence. You could setup a DHCP server in one of the PCs, but, as Need said, with the cost of broadband routers so low, it just doesn't make sense.

A broadband router is generally several devices in one unit. The router function connects the device to a broadband modem and shares the connection with all the devices on the network. It does this with 2 features. First there is a DHCP server, which assigns an IP to each device that connects to the network. The second is NAT (Network Address Translation) which maps the IP to the physcial device. This is what allows the router to route data packets from the broadband modem to the devices on the LAN.

Almost all the broadband routers I've seen have a built in switch usually 4 ports. This allows you to connect up to 4 network devices. One of those devices could be another switch allowing you to daisy chanin to add more devices.

Many of the rotuers sold include wireless capability. You might want to consider one for future expansion. You will save a little if you don't get a wireless one.

Even wireless routers are available under $50. The ease of setup and usage over trying to run your own DHCP server make the cost well worth it.