Offline

[petesgrayz]

My computer is offline. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary and have never had any trouble before. Any ideas.
TIA

[factor-fiction]

Have you typed this on it?

[WyeDyed]

What is your computer?
By "Offline" do you mean that it wont connect to the internet?
What operating System are you using?
Which browser?

Need more input please.

[petesgrayz]

This is my work computer

[factor-fiction]

I assume you mean it's not connected to the internet.
You can click on the relevant icon and change it to 'connected'. I have a key on my keyboard with a picture of a pylon/aeriel and if i knock that accidentally I can't access th e internet until i press the key again

[petesgrayz]

running windows XP. Google search engine just says you are working offline and can't do any browsing.

[WyeDyed]

I'm assuming it's a desktop PC connected with a cable to the router.
Do you have access to the router and are all the lights on?
If you have another internet device (a phone or a laptop etc.) can it log on to the router?

[VHG]

On Internet Explorer, on the File menu, is an option called Work Offline.

Make sure that is not selected.

[lyndylou]

I once slid the wifi button to off by mistake because it is located quite close to my scroll bar - does your computer work through wifi ? just slid it back on again and he presto - I did feel like a narna ( hope this helps )

[petesgrayz]

Phone is working ok. Tried the file menu and the offline option is not checked.

[SlackAlice]

Is it a phone or a pc your talking about? What model and O/S?

[Buenchico]

I suspect that the recent thunderstorms may have killed your router.

In the days of dial-up modems, a guy at PC World's Ipswich branch told me that they expected to sell between 30 and 50 replacement modems (just at that one branch) on the day after major thunderstorms. (I lost two modems that way myself!). Modern routers might be slightly better protected against current surges but they're still connected to both a phone line and to the mains supply (which makes them vulnerable). There will almost certainly be hundreds (or, more probably, thousands)of people across the UK who've found that the storms have killed their routers.

Try completely disconnecting your router (from the phone line, from its power supply and, if relevant, from its ethernet connection to your computer). Then reconnect and cross your fingers. If that doesn't work you might need to buy a new router and (using your work computer) visit the website of your ISP to find out how to configure it.

Chris

[WyeDyed]

Question Author
running windows XP. Google search engine just says you are working offline and can't do any browsing.
13:31 Tue 23rd Jul 2013

That's the most information that I have managed to elicit SlackAlice.
Apparently, his phone connects to the router OK (I think)

[jno]

yes, if Chris is right, try getting a surge protector in future. I lost a computer that way.

[SlackAlice]

WyeDyed
Thanks for that, missed it. Got my new spectacles on as well ☺☺☺

[SlackAlice]

If your using a cable from pc to router then unplug both ends and re-connect. If you've got a spare LAN cable try that as well

[Alston]

If you are with BT for your Broadband and your Router has been killed in a thunderstorm, there is a good chance that the firm will provide a free of charge replacement.

Al.