This is the report that I sent to my ISP.
I've worded it so they don't think i'm an incompetant idiot that's just got a loose ethernet connection or something.
_____

Update:The E-Mail came, 3 days after I sent mine. So much for "24 hours".
_____

It's really weird using dial-up again after getting used to broadband.

_______________

My Internet connection was working fine, until a few days ago.

When trying to connect to the internet using my modem ( SpeedTouch ST585 ) , all the lights light up as they usually do. Until the Dsl light, This blinks, ( I'm guessing its trying to connect ) but the internet light turns red.

I didn't install anything that would change the internet connection settings.

I've tried to fix the problem, restarting the computer, trying again a few hours later.

It isn't the wireless connection thats wrong, because the "network" still appears, it just can't connect to the internet. And i've moved my computer to make a fixed connection using an ethernet cable, which doesn't help.

It isn't the ADSL wire, because i've tried using another one and that didn't work either.

_______________

Here's the e-mail, because you probably can't be arsed to read it here's basically what it said:
"Try everything you've already tried, we don't care about you, and this is just a template e-mail we sent to all of you lot."

_______________

Dear Member,

Thank You for contacting AOL. It's our aim to help you get the best possible online experience.

With regards to your query, I understand that, you are unable to connect to the broadband via your router. I thank you for your patience waiting for us to reply to your email and please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in response.

I suggest you to go through the following steps as these steps would able to assist you with your query.

A) Setup the Physical Connections on the ADSL Router.
1) Check that you have all the necessary parts:

a) 1 ADSL router.
b) Power cable (for ADSL Router).
C) Ethernet cable (to connect the PC to the Router).
d) DSL filter(s).
e) RJ 11 cable (to connect the Router to the DSL filter).

2) Connect the filter(s):

a) Locate the telephone wall socket where you want to connect your ADSL router and unplug the telephone cable if one is connected.
b) Insert a filter into the wall socket.
Note: If you have a modem, disconnect it and keep it in a safe place. Please ensure that you have a DSL filter for every other piece of phone or fax equipment that may be connected to a phone socket in your home.
Be aware that Sky Television boxes are connected to the phone line and will also require a filter.
This step is vital to prevent your telephone from interfering with your ADSL router connection.
You should never use more than 4 filters in one household. If you need more filters, you can order more at AOL Keyword: Broadband Extras.
C) If you have a telephone, fax machine, or other phone device at this location, plug it into the side of the filter that is labelled 'PHONE'.

3) Connecting the ADSL router to the filter:

a) Connect one end of the RJ 11 cable to the socket on the filter marked 'MODEM' (On some filters it maybe labelled 'DSL').
b) Connect the other end of the RJ 11 cable into the ADSL router. This is usually a small slot on its own, labelled 'DSL'.

4) Connect your ADSL Router to your computer:

a) Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to one of the Ethernet ports on the rear of the ADSL router, usually labelled 'ETHERNET'.
b) Connect the other end of the to the network interface card in the back of your computer.

5) Connect the power supply to your ADSL router:

Plug the ADSL router power supply cable into the nearest wall socket. Insert the other end of the cable into the round port, at the back of the ADSL router. Switch the power on at the wall socket then switch the router on.

B) Reset up your screenname and password:
1) Click Start, Run. In the run box type in http://192.168.1.254, and click OK.
2) Select Setup my SpeedTouch from the menu by clicking on it. The setup wizard welcome page will be displayed. Click Next. If the license agreement is displayed at this stage, you must read and accept the terms in order to continue with the installation process. A panel may appear advising that the TCP window can be changed to optimise the connection speed. Click Yes.
The wizard will now run a check on the SpeedTouch router. If all is well, the wizard will continue to the next page. If a problem is detected, you can view the details and run the check again after rectifying the problem.

3) The Service Provider page will appear. Select Router and click Next.

4) The Routed Internet Connection page will appear. Click the drop-down menu button and select 0.38. The Connection Type should be PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE). Click Next.
The user name and password are now entered to set up the router to connect to AOL. The user name is the AOL Screen Name (including @aol.com) that is to be used for the router connection, and the correct password for that AOL Screen Name.

. The Screen Name is case-sensitive and must be in lower case
. The Screen Name must not contain any spaces
. The suffix @aol.com must be added after the Screen Name
. The Screen Name must have General (18+) Parental Controls access (not Mature Teen, Young Teen or Kids Only)
. The password must be between six and eight characters
. The password must consist of letters and numbers only (i.e. no spaces or special characters such as: ! ? ? or %)

5) The Access Control page will appear. This screen should not be confused with the preceding one. The settings on this screen are used to restrict access to the modem router configuration pages. When you specify a user name and password here, and later wish to change the modem router settings, you will need to provide these. Ensure that you select a memorable combination and make a note of this user name and password, if necessary. Click Next.
NOTE: Default User Name is Administrator with no password and is case-sensitive.

6) The next panel will allow the user to set up Wireless Security. AOL recommends you set up wireless security using WEP128 encryption. This WEP code is written on a label underneath the modem router. You should select WEP here, and click Next. The wizard will now start to configure the modem router. Allow the configuration to complete and click Finish. If you wish to set up additional computers on your home network, you can do so using wireless connection.

Your router setup is complete.

C) Setting up AOL to connect with your router
And finally, you will find below some useful tips on accessing your AOL account over a Broadband Router connection. You can do this by setting up your AOL software to connect using a TCP/IP connection, otherwise known as Piggybacking.

Setting up AOL to connect via your router using AOL 9.0:
Step 1: Start AOL but do not sign on at this point. Instead, click Sign On Options on the AOL Sign-On screen.
Step 2: Click on Expert Setup
Step 3: Click Add Location.
Step 4: Type a name for the location in the Location Name box -- for example, 'Router' -- then click Next.
Step 5: Choose Broadband (High-Speed, cable, DSL, or other ISP) and then click Next.
Step 6: Tick Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions... then click Next.
Step 7: Select Automatic Connection, and then click Next.
Step 8: Click Sign on to AOL now, then simply sign on to AOL as usual using any of your AOL Screen Names.

The next time you start the AOL software, you'll notice 'Router' (or whatever name you gave the location) is available as one of the options in the drop-down Location menu on the AOL Sign-On screen (see Step 1). This allows you to easily switch between using a router connection and a different connection (for example, a dial-up modem) if you wish.

And if you wish to connect more than one PC with same router wirelessly please try the following steps:

Perform the following steps on PC/Laptop you wish to connect wirelessly.
Click on Start -> Control Panel In Control Panel
Now double click on Wireless Network Setup Wizard.
The Wireless Network Setup Wizard starts up, click on Next Select: Setup a new wireless network and click Next.
Enter the Network Name (SSID) Select Manually assign a network key and click on Next.
Enter the WEP Key and click on Next Select Set up a network manually.
Click Next Click Finish to complete the setup.

Else

Do these steps on the PC on which you have installed the Wireless Adapter/WiFi enabled.
Right click on Wireless Network Connection in systray at bottom right of this PC.
Then select View Available Wireless Networks .
In the new list there will be a selection of the available wireless networks that are present in the area.
Select the appropriate network, if there are none available please select Refresh Network List.
Once the correct Network Name (SSID) has been selected select Disconnect if its connected and then click on Connect.
This will then prompt you to enter a Network (WEP) Key, enter this, If there are 8 dots already listed in the Client then click into the white box and it will empty allow you re-enter the WEP key. If not continue to enter your WEP key.
Once the WEP is entered, select Connect. The screen will show that it is attempting to Connect to the wireless network.

Once connected please try to visit www.google.com on the same PC as wirelessly.

We also suggest you to visit the AOL Keyword: home network or network setup . These keywords provide you the detailed information and assistance regarding set up the router and make it wireless enabled.
To use keywords, you either click with your mouse on the word Keyword in the top right hand corner of your screen or hold down the Control (Ctrl) and K keys on your keyboard at the same time, then type in the keyword you want. You can get a list of all available keywords at Keyword Keyword.

You are most welcome with query if any further issue with AOL .. We are always there for loyal and valued member like you ...

If you require any further help, please feel free to visit our online support at AOL Keyword: Help. This offers full information on all aspects of your AOL account, with answers to the most frequently asked questions and links to other helpful resources.

Remember
There's a dedicated team of customer service representatives trained to answer your questions from 8am to midnight, seven days a week. You can contact them at 0844 499 55 55. See AOL Keyword: Support Me for details of call charges.

Kind Regards,

AOL Broadband Member Services.

_______________

Oh, yes, i'm with AOL, I know that your going to act as if they're satan themselves.
TBH, after this, I can't blame you.

Technorati Tags: Broadband Internet ISP Report