I have a Compaq Presario with Windows XP.
I get this error when trying to connect to the internet:
(using a speedstream modem - DSL service from SBC)

Error connecting to My ISP

Error 678: The remote computer did not respond. For
Further assistance, click More Info or search Help and
Support Center for this error number.

I have another computer at home and I can get connection with that one, so I know that the modem and cables are working.
I was on the phone with my ISP (SBC) and they tried all kinds of things to solve it, but nothing worked.
We covered the basics: checking the wires, switching cables, resetting the modem, creating a new connection.

When I first bought the computer, I was able to connect to the internet with my modem, but one day I started getting this error. I am unaware of any changes I made to my system.

I did a system restore, but that didn't solve it.
I finally did a system recovery, but still get the error.

Even after doing a system recovery, are there still things I can do to try to fix this problem?
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

How are the two computers hooked up? Are you using a broadband router? That would probably solve your problem. Please provide some more details on your setup.

How are the two computers hooked up? Are you using a broadband router? That would probably solve your problem. Please provide some more details on your setup.

The 2 computers are not networked. They are running as 2 totally separate systems.
(The other computer has Windows 2000 - and does connect to the internet)
I would like to network them, but am unsure what the best way is to do it.

I think it's pretty likely that somehting is wrong with my NIC in the PC with XP.

I've been reading about USB Ethernet Network Adapters, such as the
Belkin USB Ethernet Network adapter
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Belkin_Components_Network_adapter__Review_5630339

Would this possibly allow me to connect to the internet simply through
My
USB, bypassing any possible problems with my NIC card?
And at the same time be able to share files between my 2 computers?
I'm not sure if I totally understand how the equipment works.
I'm interested in the USB aspect because I'm not too good with
Installing
Internal pieces.
If you have any thoughts on the whole networking option, feel free to
Share
Them.
Or if you can tell me more about using a broadband router. I'm not familiar with those.
Thanks again.

Interesting that error messge relates to Dial Up Networking (DUNs).
As the speedstream is a USB connected modem there is something wrong with the configuration you are using.
As you have found out a working resolution is difficult to find.
Basically this is normally caused by your computer sending incorrect information to the modem and on to your ISP. You could spend even more time trying to find a solution.
Now as HVAC suggested you would be a lot better off getting yourself a decent DSL modem router, then you'll be able to have both machines online at the same time. The DSL router deals with the connection and is always on, no more waiting for a connection

David, I'll add to my answer as we both posted at the same time
Setting up a home network is straight forward, but avoid USB networking and go for ethernet NIC's.

They are easy to install and run, all that uis then needed is some CAT5 network cable.
The whole NIC and cable setup is cheaper and more robust than USB networking.
Your Compaq Presario will already have a NIC as they have been standard fit on laptops for many years.

Here's a couple of How-To's for networking
Wired networking Guide (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wired.mspx)
Wireless Networking Guide (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx)
Should give you some more ideas.

Ok.
Well, I'll just get a DSL modem router for now and see if I can connect to the internet, and then deal with networking a bit later.
Thanks.

David, if you are going to get a DSL modem then why not save time and money and get a DSL Router/modem.
The instructions that come with them as very easy to follow.
You'll resolve your issue and sort the networking all in one hit.
Linksys and Netgear are two brands to look out for.

updated info:
It was suggested that I put in a new NIC card, in case my current NIC card was bad. So yesterday I put in a new NIC card and plugged the Ethernet cable into that (from the modem) and still can't connect to the internet.

Something I didn't mention before:
After I start up the PC, at the bottom right of the screen (where it shows the running programs), over the internet connection icon it has a yellow exclamation point (!) over it and says something like "little or no connection". If I unplug my ethernet cable (coming from the modem), that goes away and I just get a plain X over the icon.
So the computer does seem to recognize that the cable is plugged in.
This happens whether I plug into the old NIC card or the new NIC card.

again... the modem works fine when connected to my older PC running windows 2000.

Does using the same modem with 2 different PCs (running 2 different OSs) cause a conflict somehow?
again... the PCs aren't networked, I'm just unpluggging the ethernet cable from one and plugging it into the other. And yes, each time I do that I do restart the modem and then restart the PC.

It was suggested that something may just be wrong with my configuration. (If so, I don't see why my service provider's tech support wasn't able to fix that. But who knows?) Would getting a router (and networking my 2 PCs) get around a possible configuration problem?
I'm not sure how it would. I'd think that to set up the router I'd need to already have a connection going. But I wouldn't know.

Did you ever try to re-install the modem software. I had the a same error message one week back and I thought it is something wrong with the ISP. I called my ISP and they told me that they dont have any problems with their server. They told me to re-install the modem software and I did it. The error message vanished.

Did you ever try to re-install the modem software. I had the a same error message one week back and I thought it is something wrong with the ISP. I called my ISP and they told me that they dont have any problems with their server. They told me to re-install the modem software and I did it. The error message vanished.

I believe that when I asked my ISP about installing software, they said that with the newer OS (XP) there was no software needed. I did have internet connections at one time, and I recall that no software was ever installed.
But I'll check with my ISP again and bring that up, just to be sure.
Thanks.

Actually for DSL service, you need to install the ISP software. It is an applet that configures the modem for PPPoE access. You need to enter your username and password. It runs in the background.

If you plug your PC's ethernet port directly into the ethernet port of the modem, configure the PC to use DHCP and it should work. Open a dos prompt, and type in: ipconfig /all. What does it say?

Of course, using a broadband router is the best, since you can connect all your PC's to the internet through one hub, and the router will configure the connection automatically too.