do you need to also set the DNS values when you set a computer up with a static ip? I set my computer up with a static ip, and it says internet connection is active but I can't access the internet. Does the DNS value come into play here, and if so, how do I know what values to set it at?

When I set the computer to DHCP, I noticed I don't have to set DNS values in order to get to the internet.

If this is a home computer, set your subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway to your routher address which is probably 192.168.1.1.

Set the DNS address to your router's address as well.

Keepitsimple: But there are two entries for DNS, which one do I fill? Also, on my home computer, I found out after talking to my ISP, that the DNS entries are different from my routers IP address.

So is that the only way to know what the DNS addresses should be, by talking to the ISP people?

Your router will know the name server addresses because it usually get's it's public address via DHCP. It will know both the primary and secondary DNS entries. So, all that's necessary is to point one of the DNS entries to the router's address.

If it's public address is assigned permanently by the ISP, they would provide you with the name server addresses.

If you connect wirelessly at home, the best solution I've found is to set the DHCP lease time to a year or so in your router. That way, you don't have to monkey with the settings and you'll effectively have a static IP private address when your laptop is home.

You can look up the NS addresses knowing the domain name.