a friend has a computer that runs windows xp professional and he wants to connect to the internet what is the first thing he must do in order to get the internet

The first thing you need is a Internet Service Provider (ISP), you will need to select a service either dialup or broadband (Cable or DSL) depending on how much you / friend are prepared to pay..

The ISP will have all the necessary info's on how to set up the modem/router for your internet service. This will include any settings needed for Win XP...

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Wombat's: Bulldozers of the bush...

how can i find the modem the computer does not detect it?

I assume you are talking about a internal 56k dialup modem?

Has the computer got an internal modem installed?

Have you installed the drivers for it?

Modems only show up in a computer if they are installed as hardware in the computer itself...which can only be a Dial Up modem. Cable and DSL modems do not show up in the computer.

Phone (dial up ) modems use a phone line connector to hook up to the phone system in your house or apartment. Look for that on the back of the computer or sometimes on the side for a laptop!

Cable modems use a LAN connector that looks just like a phone jack but larger in size. Sometimes they can be connected through a USB port.

okay the back shows a card that has a plug in for a phone line we have installed the isp no charge which is a free internet for people in washington state the modem shows motorola and says not functional and the other one is connecting two cables to a computer what can i do to know which one is the modem he wants dial up internet and can not afford to pay for internet and it is a desk top computer with windows xp professional this computer was given to him

I'm now totally confused...

You have to explain this as I have over 35 years of working on computers and I have yet to ever see an error message as "not functional!" If there is an error you MUST give us the EXACT message and not your interpretation of it!

You need to be more clear and separate your ideas with a period or line break (enter) please. Easier for us to help you.

Look at the picture attached for a typical computer modem and ethernet (network) placement.

Modem shows not functional - do you mean an external Motorola DSL modem?

If it's dial up provided by the State, the phone line needs to be plugged into the modem Line port on the back of the computer.

If it's DSL provided by the state, the phone line needs to be plugged into the external DSL modem, then the external DSL modem gets plugged into the computer. Either the Ethernet port or a USB port, depending on the DSL modem model.

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