How to tell what's wrong??

I am SOOOOOOO computer illiterate!!!!!!!!!! How can you tell what is wrong with a computer besides taking it somewhere? Is there a way to know if it is the modem that went bad? The computer comes on but will not connect to the internet, it just comes up as a blank screen and then says the page will not display. When I turn the modem off though, it does say a local line is disconnected. Does that mean it is not the modem? I can't get any websites to come up. HELP!!

 

What Operating system are you using? (Windows XP, vista, 98 ...etc?
When you say 'modem' is it DSL or Cable?

For a quick check ..

Do you have an icon in the system tray that looks like 2 computer screens? Is there an 'X' over it or is it blue?

If it's X'd ... Right click on it and see if you have an 'Enable' choice.
or, if it's blue .... Right click on it and see if you have a "diagnose & repair" choice.

From that Icon you can get to your Network settings. If you don't have an Icon go to 'Start' then either 'Settings' or 'Contol Panel" and look for anything 'Network'

 

We use Windows XP and have an external modem from Embarq so it's DSL. I'm pretty sure our little screens are blue but I will have to check tonight because I can't use the computer at home. I will print this out and email tomorrow at work. Hubby thinks it's the line but he really doesn't know a lot about computers either.

 

OK, I ran the XP Network Diagnostics program thingy and it said I had an error code 0x2afc and that it could either be a gateway or DNS issue. What does that mean??

 

What browser are you using? Internet Explorer, Firefox, or other?

 

Internet Explorer. I am not very familiar with others. I have used Mozilla at work a little.

 

Which version of IE (Internet Explorer)? IE7? IE6? or older?

If you don't know, open your IE browser and on the toolbar at the top click "Help" and then "About Internet Explorer".

 

I'm pretty sure it is version 6 but I will check at home. It's pretty crappy, I went on vacation and when I came back the computer AND the dishwasher broke!!

 

Yay! It's fixed. It was apparently the modem causing problems. The Embarq people tweaked a few settings and we loaded the newest IE and we are back in action. Thanks to those who helped!!