How to Configure Earthlink Total Access to Work on a Belkin F5D5231-4 4-Port Router

Earthlink's Total Access program offers free web-surfing capabilities to users with Microsoft Windows XP. It includes the Earthlink Accelerator, which increases your surfing speed, the Protection Control System, a toolbar and customized search and browser content features. If you have a Belkin F5D5231-4 4-port router, you may want to configure it to work correctly with Earthlink Total Access.

Instructions

1. Set your computer's IP address to match the router's IP address. To accomplish this, open a command prompt by going to "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories" and "Command Prompt." When the dialog box appears, type "IPCONFIG" by the flashing cursor (do not include the quotation marks). Press "Enter."

2. Read the Ethernet adapter local area connection information. You should see IP address, subnet mask and default gateway numbers. Write these numbers down or press the "Print Screen" button to copy the screen shot to the computer's clipboard.

3. Click on "Start", then "Control Panel." In Classic View, choose "Network Connections." Right-click on your Internet connection and choose "Properties." Single-click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and press the "Properties" button. You may also need to click on "Use the following DNS server addresses" radio button and enter your specific DNS numbers. Check with your network administrator if you are uncertain about this step. Try to set up only the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway numbers before changing DNS values. Choose the "Use the following IP address" radio button and enter the numbers you copied earlier. Press "OK" twice.

4. Use the Internet as usual. You should have successfully configured a Belkin F5D5231-4 4-port router to work with Earthlink Total Access.