When starting all goes well including a quick flashup telling me I am connected to BTBroardband ok. Both lights are green on ADSL box. Press to log in on big BTBroard band box, and an information box tells me "unable to connect to server check connections.

Have spoken to BT"help"desk, disconected fire walls etc.

BT email account works fine when connected to my laptop.

Is it a problem with XP?
Thanks BlueSky.

Is this a new problem? Were things working OK previously? Any new hardware and or software?

Just to clarify: this connection works OK on your laptop but not your desktop?

Is this only an e-mail problem or the Internet connection in general?

BT said nothing except to disconnect the firewall?

Jephree>
Coherent/or not! answers are as follows:

No new hardware or software was fitted prior to problem. Problem is a new one I have not encountered before.

Connection works fine on laptop

The problem is that the Internet connection does not work, although the computer does say I am connected to the network (bottom right hand side pop up)

In fairness to BT under instruction I did disconnect/reconnect server and tried various things through>Ifconfig (? Sorry if this is not the correct wording – not next to my home computer!) Numerous line checks as well.

Regards Blue sky

As this is a new problem try a System Restore to a point prior to the problem:

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore


If this does not help I would compare you ipconfig between the desktop and the laptop:

start/run cmd

then type ipconfig /all

Hey this jephree guy is damn good .... dont think you need anyone else on this board - i am learning more than i have for ages!

Many Thanks for the advice, I did restore (How do I get further back than March?) and installed the wirless router software with BT, one or both of these actions has worked as I can access the web.
Thanks
Blue sky.

There is only so much available space allocated to System Restore. It could be that yours only has the space required since March.

You can adjust this setting via right clicking My Computer then click Properties then System Restore | Settings. The Max is 12% of your hard drive. After that is full then new Restore Points will override the oldest.

Glad you got things going!