Steve writes in with a networking question.
Q. I have a DSL internet connection. When I cold boot my PC, it will not connect. If I restart it, it connects no problem. I can (and do) reproduce this easily.
A. Do you have a DSL router or do you plug in directly to the modem? Your computer most likely uses DHCP to get its IP address from the router and then the router gets it IP information from the modem. If you are not using a router then the computer gets its IP information directly from the modem.
Your computer may be having a problem getting its IP information from the router or modem. If you are using a router try going directly into the modem and bypass the router. Then see if you have the same problem after a couple of reboots. If so then your router may have a problem giving your computer the IP information it needs to connect to the internet.
If you are not using a router then your modem may not be giving the computer the proper information. When it does not connect you should check the IP information and make sure you are getting an IP address.
If the IP address begins with 169.254.x.x then that is the Windows autoconfig IP address that is uses when it can’t get one from a DHCP device. If the IP address is all zeros or uses the autoconfig IP then you can try to renew your IP address to see if that makes a difference.
There is also a chance your computer could be having issues obtaining an IP address but I would check the router and modem first.
Here are some other informative links.
http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/networking/static_dynamic.html
http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/networking/router.html
http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/networking/terminology.html
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