Connecting a new computer

You can connect any computer to the cable modem. Remember that you can only connect one computer to the modem at any time, unless you’ve got an Ethernet router or a wireless kit. All you need to do is check that the new computer is configured correctly to work with your Virgin Broadband connection (we explain how to do this further down the page).

First, here’s how to connect your new computer:

1. Turn off the power to your modem (or set-top box) for at least two minutes, by unplugging it from the mains.
2. Shut down your computer.
   Note: If you are an advanced user comfortable with using Windows DOS commands, you can use the ipconfig /release command to release your current IP address, before shutting down your computer. Click here for details.
3. Find the cable that connects your current computer to the modem, and unplug it from the computer.
4. Connect the unplugged end of the cable to the new computer.
5. Restart your modem, and wait for it to complete its start up sequence. (Refer to the modem’s user guide if needed.)
6. Turn on the newly connected computer, and wait for it to start up.

You should now be able to connect to the Internet. If you’re a Virgin Broadband customer and you’ve already registered, you don’t need to do that again – we’ll already have your details.

Next, check that your computer is configured to work with Virgin Broadband by following the simple steps below. (By the way, this section does not cover the installation of Ethernet or USB drivers.)

Mac users, click here to carry out this check.

To check these settings on your new PC:

1. Double-click on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop to open a web browser:
   
   
   
   By the way, the screens shown are Windows XP screens. If you have another version of Windows, the steps described in this section are the same, although the screens will look a bit different.
2. In Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then click on Internet Options.
   
   
   
   The Internet Options window displays (shown below):
   
   



3. Click on the General tab, then find the text box labelled Home page (called Address in Windows XP):
   
   



4. Type in the address that you want to store as your home page (that is, the page that displays first each time you open your web browser). For example, to select the Virgin Media web site as your home page, type in www.virginmedia.com
5. Click on the Connections tab. The Connections tab contains information and settings about the way that your computer connects to the Internet.
6. If you always connect to the Internet using Virgin Broadband, make sure that Never dial a connection is selected.
   
   



7. Click on the LAN Settings button. The following screen displays.
   
   



8. Make sure that there are no boxes ticked in this window. If any are boxes ticked, remove the ticks by clicking on them.
9. Click on OK to close the window.
10. Finally, click on the Apply button (if active), then click on OK.
    
    

That's it! Now you're ready to go.