Getting Started

All you need to know to get yourself online!

Setting up the hardware

Our routers come pre-configured with your user name and password already entered, so you can plug it in and get connected without a complicated setup procedure.  However, depending on the operating system of your computer, you may need to adjust some settings on your computer, and the relevant information is below.  Please note that because of the large variation of hardware, we are only able to support equipment supplied by us. That said, the points below should be enough to help you configure any ADSL hardware you may have.

Physical connections

To use an Ethernet router, your PC(s) will need to have an Ethernet port to connect to the router. Most new PCs have one built-in and the socket will be on the rear of the main box.

The computer should be connected to the router with a patch cable (as opposed to a crossover cable) - this is supplied in the box with our hardware. If you need an additional one (because, for example, your dog has chewed your original one as happened to one of our customers!) you can obtain them for a minimal amount from any computer store.

The ADSL wire supplied with the modem should be connected to the socket in the back of the router and the other end into a micro filter. The micro filter should then be plugged into the master phone socket. Remember that additional micro filters should be plugged into any other sockets you have equipment plugged into (remembering things such as Sky boxes, answer phones etc).

Computer Settings

Your computer should be set to obtain an IP address automatically. This allows the router to assign an internal IP address to your computer(s) which in turn provides a layer of security since this IP address is not directly accessible from the internet. Only the routers external IP address is visible on the internet. To do this, open Control Panel then double-click on Network Connections. Then right-click on Local Area Connection and select Properties. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and select Properties. Ensure that "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" are selected. If you have previously had dial-up internet access on your machine, you need to disable this since your computer is now on a network. To do this, open Internet Explorer and go to Tools, Internet Options, Connections, Never dial a connection.

Note that these aren't the only settings that will work, just the ones that make things easiest to setup in the first place. If you are of a technical persuasion then feel free to modify the setup as you please.

Router Settings

The following are general settings that are the same across all routers; you should be able to edit them using your router's configuration menu.

Note that these settings are different for ADSL users in the Kingston Communications area, but as Kingston make it prohibitively difficult for us to provide ADSL in their area, it doesn't matter ;-) You will need to enter your username and password as well. In most cases the username will take the form of efhxxxx@efhbb.com and the password as advised to you. Please note that the username is case sensitive. If you need to manually enter a DNS server address, you can use 85.133.120.5 and 217.158.60.204. Only do this if you have to as we may need to change this IP in the future.

Verifying a connection

Once you have completed the above steps you should be able to access the internet, assuming your ADSL service has gone live. To do this, just enter a web address into Internet Explorer (eg www.efhbroadband.com or www.bbc.co.uk). If the site appears, you are in business. If you don't have a connection, run through the following before contacting support:

Is the LAN light lit on the router, and is there an icon in the taskbar on your PC showing a connection?
If not, there is a problem between the router and the PC - check the cables and ensure the settings in Control Panel are as above.
Is the WAN / ADSL light lit?
If its not or it is flashing slowly, then there is a problem between the router and the exchange. Check the cable connections and reboot the router by turning it off for 15 seconds, then back on again.

No Luck?

If 1 and 2 are ok but you can't browse the internet then do the following to see if there is a DNS issue.

Open a command (DOS) prompt...
Click on Start and then Run, type CMD in the field marked 'Open' and press 'OK'... In the Black window that appears...
Type "ping 217.158.60.30" (without the quotes)
If you get a reply then there is a problem with the DNS settings. Ensure that the setting in the router configuration is correct. If you get a timeout error then there is a connection problem.

If after doing the above you still have no luck then call our support line on 0844 99 100 11 and we'll take a look.

 

 

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