BleepingComputer.com: new computer won't connect to internet

Hello,

I'm setting up a new computer and I'm having trouble getting it connected to the internet. It's an Acer (model: Aspire M3910) running Windows 7. I have it plugged into a jack that I know works (other computers can connect on it), but when I type in ipconfig, I get this:

C:\Users\amy delvecchio>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::883d:7932:a7fb:8029%9
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.114
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Tunnel adapter isatap.{A4759F59-5120-4578-ADFA-93C67480E4F5}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Tunnel adapter isatap.{F118797A-7FB8-48E4-B6F4-6C641CC22348}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:3c57:336e:3959:d50a
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::3c57:336e:3959:d50a%13
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::

C:\Users\amy delvecchio>

Releasing and renewing doesn't work.

Any ideas?

Well according to ipconfig you are connected and have a valid ip. Are you not able to load a webpage? We need a bit more info.

Try visiting http://74.125.224.80 in your web browser. That's (one of) the IP addresses for Google.com. If you get to Google's home page by entering the IP, but can't get there by entering google.com then the problem likely is with your DNS settings. If visiting the IP address doesn't work, however, then something else is wrong. Do you have a firewall or other security software running? Try temporarily disabling them.

You might also try having Windows try to diagnose and repair the connection. The connection troubleshooter can be launched from the Network and Sharing Center (click on the "Internet" Globe or on any red X's shown on the network map.)

This post has been edited by Andrew: 10 November 2011 - 03:38 PM

That must be my problem. I cannot connect to google through the usual route but clicking on that IP address gets me there.

What would I look for in my DNS settings?

There are any number of DNS servers you can set your computer to use. I use Google's public DNS service. Here's a How-To on changing your DNS settings to use Google's servers.

Your ISP probably also has its own DNS service. If you prefer to use that, you would need to contact their support department to find out the IP addresses of their servers. You can follow the above guide to change to your ISP's servers simply by substituting Google's IP addresses for your ISP's.

This post has been edited by Andrew: 10 November 2011 - 06:35 PM

Sorry I haven't replied in a while.

I've narrowed the problem down to a bad hosts file. Problem is I can't delete it. It seems to be hidden even when I specify in the folder settings to show hidden files. The erase and rename commands in a DOS prompt can't find it. But I know it's there because if I type in at the start menu "Notepad C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts" it opens up. Unfortunately it won't let me save it after changing the contents, so I'm still stuck.

It's probably set as "Read Only"

Again, I apologize for not responding in a while, but I'm happy to report I've solved the problem:

I figured out how to make the hosts file visible: In any folder, go to organize > folder and search options > view tab > unselect "hide protected operating system files".

Then it was a simple matter of opening the properties of the hosts file and changing the permission and ownership settings.