Actions:
(1) find out the DNS servers for your location
(2) find out the domain suffix for your location

Why bother with the proper DNS servers ? Improperly configured DNS causes excessive DNS
network traffic on the Internet that slows everybody down, especially you.

If you have a friendly and knowledgeable cable modem / ADSL modem tech support department,
just phone them and ask them; or check their web site. You can also find these out yourself using a working PC connected to the Internet.

Synonyms: (some geeky terminology)

The following table shows the 4 geeky synonyms of DNS servers:

The following table shows the 5 geeky synonyms of domain suffix:

Find out what the proper DNS servers are in your location:

If you are using static IP, you probably already know these information.

If you are using dynamic IP and your LRP box is working:
boot up, login in as root, q to drop to the # prompt, then type
cat    /etc/resolv.conf

It shows your domain suffix (called "search") and DNS servers (called "nameserver")

If your LRP box is not yet working,
On a Window 95/98 PC that is already working with your cable modem/DSL:
Click Start....Run.....winipcfg
select the correct "network adapter"
click the "More Info" button, you will find the Primary DNS (like this).

On a Windows NT/2000/XP PC that is already working with your cable modem/DSL:
Click Start...Run....cmd....(a black screen pops open)
type  ipconfig   /all
you will see the DNS servers for your location.

On a Windows ME that is already working with your cable modem/DSL
click Start...Run...command
type ipconfig /all  |  more   (space-bar to scroll forward)

Find out what the proper domain-suffix is in your location:

Windows 95/98:
Click Start....Run.....winipcfg and look here for your domain suffix.
Windows NT/2000/XP:
Click Start...Run....cmd....(a black screen pops open)
type  ipconfig /all     you should see the DNS Suffix Search List which means your domain-suffix
Windows ME:
more complicated; first, download host.exe and save host.exe to c:\windows
Click Start...Run...Command...(a black screen pops open)
type  host  www (or host  mail)  and watch the line that says "alias name".
the tail piece (the piece that comes after www) is your domain suffix.

Advanced, optional.
Microsoft Outlook/Exchange Corporate E-mail users:
If you use "Outlook with Exchange Corporate E-mail", your "domain search suffix" should be set to your company's Exchange Server domain suffix. Ask your company IT or ICT support personnel.