Internet Connection - Why Does My Computer Say Unable to Display Page?

1. Is the problem with your computer or is it the connection? If you are getting an error on your computer we need to narrow it down. Can you go to other websites? Do your messengers, or your email seem to work okay? If so than it's down to a computer issue with your internet browser. Check your firewall, I have seen people accidentally block their entire browser when they didn't pay attention to their "allow or block" question from their firewalls You can temporarily disable your firewall and see if that helps. Otherwise find your list of blocked items and see if the browser is in there
2.Look at your cable modem. They all have lights labeled and blinking or solid. We are only worried about a couple of these. Either the one that says "cable", "internet", or two that say "sync and ready". Are these lights solid? They should be, this indicates a solid connection to the cable system. If they are blinking than you are offline, and the problem is further down the cable. The outlet, or even down to the neighborhood. I would check your cable tv next to see if it is on. If it's also off your cable is out and probably time to call your provider. If it's on than we are okay, the problem is narrowed down to a bad cable outlet, or possibly the modem.
3.Go to your browser and in the address bar type 192.168.100.1 This is generally the default address for your modem. It should bring up an "internal webpage" for your modem. If it comes up this only indicates you have connection to the modem, not the internet.(Note: if you have a router this address might not work) If you still get a page cannot be displayed error we will look at that later. Now on this page we will look for two sets of numbers or readings. You want to look for a place that says signal or connection. In there you will see two measurements. The first is receive power or Rx power. This indicates the level coming into your house. Most companies have a guideline of 12 to -12 for this level. If it's between those you are okay. Next is the Transmit power or Tx power. It should be between 33-51. Anything out of those ranges indicates a problem with the cable itself. At this point we can safely say your computer is working fine, but that particular outlet isn't. At this point however it could still be a problem that the company would charge you to fix, or it could be on their end. The tv will still work long after the internet quits.
These next steps require some digging around behind the computer, some crawling under the house and possibly purchase of tools. You might consider the $50 charge to be worth it at this point.
4.Get behind the modem at let's look at the cable wire itself. More importantly the end of it. So you will have to unscrew it from the modem now. Does the fitting come off easily from the cable? It needs replaced. Is their any braiding or metal hairs sticking out or even wrapped around the center conductor? That will cause a short and intermittent signals. A good fitting should be tight on the cable and not able to be pulled off. The braids should be short enough to hide under the fitting, not hanging out. And finally the dielectric, or the white stuff in the middle should be even with the bottom of the fitting threads, if it is to far down the barrel it won't make a connection. How about the cable itself? Does it have aluminum braids? Or are they copper? Copper is not as good in this case and should be replaced.
Under normal circumstances the cable wiring does not carry any current on it and should be safe to touch. However there is always the chance at electric shock. Be Careful!
5.Next look at the cable wire. Follow it down to the wall or floor. Does it have any nicks or cuts. Any tight kinks in it? Did Fluffy use the cable for a chew toy? If so that can definitely be the problem. We need to fix that. I will point out that most companies have wire insurance for dollars a month that will cover the service charge to fix this, you should check with your local provider. Does the cable go down and plug into a wall plate? Or does it go directly into the floor? If it plugs into the wall, we need a screwdriver to pull it off and check that fitting and cable. Again be careful. If it goes into the floor then we take this outside.
Any home improvement store should carry a fitting kit with the proper fittings and tools to fix and a splice the bad cable. They run around $40 dollars, but then you will be all set. You can also get cheaper push on fittings and use a razor blade but these usually don't get good results.
6.Outside you need to locate your cable connections to the system. They might be inside a splice box, or out in plain sight. Possibly near the phone, or electricity but not always. The incoming cable line will be round, while the phone line is generally flatter. Once you locate this, again check the fittings. Are they all okay? As you unplug them notice here if the look corroded. The center conductor or "stinger" might be black, the rest of the fitting might have white powder in it. These need to be cut back to a clean portion and have new fittings put on. The splitter should also be changed too. Here you should get the more expensive ones. Just don't go for the gold, it's not worth it.
7.After all this is done go back to the computer. Are those lights solid yet? Check the signal levels again. You might have to wait for the modem to fully sync up, and refresh the signal page. If you are still having problems it's either time to replace the entire cable outlet, crawl into the attic or under the house and look for splices, or call the cable company. It could still be their system. Unfortunately at this point I would have to be there to guide you any further. I hope this has been some help
You could also try moving the modem to another room, or running a test line outside and plugging directly into the main line with a barrel connector or an F-81 as they are called.
Steve Howardson. From the Great Northwest. Passing on the tips and tricks I've learned in life the hard way. I worked in the telecommunications industry for nine years until the economy took my job away. Now I'm trying to rise out of the ashes and find that better life that I'm destined for. I have a lovely wife and three lovely daughters all trying to play jump rope with my last nerve.
See my blogs at http://www.byguysforguys.blogspot.com and http://www.betterpicturestoday.blogspot.com
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