i have a internet connection problem?

[PG]

i have a old pc that has i think dial up and ethernet connection for internet....

now i have had trouble connecting to internet..it says DSL server down..and on task bar..LIMITED access...i want to take out any chance of it trying to use dial up can you talk me through this?

can anyone explain how i overcome this ?
..idiots guide please..im not that good with computers or should i just take it to a shop?

i would like to put a new OP system on it LINUX but cant do this till i get internet connection sorted....
it wont even read cd i got from isp providers..saying something along the lines of
update XP...
it is running XP right now..

how do i update it ?..i dont have any disc at all..it was given to me...

i may have to go and buy a used computer that is internet ready..as this is getting me really frustrated....
i took the old thing to a computer shop and they tested it ..although slow..it connected to internet straight away !!...

what can i look for to see if there is any blocks on computer to my modem...

im so frustrated..think i may go and buy a new laptop and scrap this thing
i cannot get any access to internet at all..it says LAN connection working..but internet connection disabled

[Dolly]

i think you should take your pc down to pc world.

[Sean M]

if you need a new op system on it, do that first. Any changes you make to your internet connection will be lost when you change OS anyways. So theres not point in fixing that part first.

Next, how old is this computer? Its possible it may not support high speed internet that we have now.

[069]

dont be foolish, dont take it down to the computer shop they rip u off for somthing you could get done at home with a little reasearch, im not exaclty sure how to fix it unless i see the computer, but try this.

well if you have dial up, you will see a plug at the back of the computer goign from the wall (telephone ) to the modem inside the back of the computer, just first of all, insert the cd your internet service provider gavce you and ofllow the insturuction. if its ethernet , disregard what i said before but try reinstalling the cd. and youll fin dall you computer answers on google, just type the problem in and someone else woudl have had it to, definatly dont take it to the shop

[BARRY B]

A few stages to go through. Before you start check that your PC has enough ram (memory) and hard disk space. All software and peripherals state their requirements on the box. It would be easier to advise if you could include this in a new question. If the PC is very old and low spec it would be best, and cheaper to buy a new one. Even the cheapest models will support Broadband. Yes, you need Broadband to avoid hefty phone bills while dial up downloads at snail pace. If your Pc is up to it you need to install XP, add an ethernet card via a spare slot and you will be able to connect to BB with no problems. Look at your system and hard drive space with whatever OS you have now to make sure it is worth the effort of adding bits to a limited PC.