Here are some baby steps. You forgot to mention if your have a 56k or dsl (high speed) modem. The main difference between the two (other than a faster speed of course), is that with a 56k modem you cannot connect to the Internet and speak on the phone at the same time.

Most 56k modems are inside the computer on slot, you connect the phone line cable there, and need to activate the modem first.
DSL modem are normally outside the computer, and you connect the phone line to it, as well as an Ethernet cable (looks just like a telephone cable, but has more wires, and the slot is slightly bigger. Very often someone connects the phone line there, and creates needless problems.

I can go on and on, but believe this is enough for now. So, tell us what type of modem (56k or DSL) you have. The model, serial, make are not necessary. Then additional baby step will follow (unless someone else jumps in), Mindblower!

So you must be using a different computer/modem to post messages here. Okay, you're using a DSL modem. In order to connect, you need to set up a user name and password, that is supplied by your service provider. This is a simple task, really. There are different ways to get to this point, and I'll suggest the most basic. All click are using the Left mouse button. Click the Start button (bottom left of screen). Move to mouse to highlight either Network Connections or Control Panel. If selecting Control Panel, on the left side under Control Panel are either two up or down arrows. (They allow you to toggle between Classic and Category Mode. My instructions are for you being in Classic Mode. You'll be able to change back if needed later.

Now double click onto Network Connections. I am assuming you have NOT done the setup. If you have skip to next paragraph, if not read and follow. Select from the Left side [b:1rhkhpu2]Create a new connection[/b:1rhkhpu2]. Left Click Next again. On top the [b:1rhkhpu2]Connect to the Internet [/b:1rhkhpu2]should be selected, and press Next. Now select the [b:1rhkhpu2]Set up my connection manually [/b:1rhkhpu2]and press Next. This is the tricky part. Since you're not using a dial-up modem, you'll need to select the either two selections, and a safe bet it's the middle one ([b:1rhkhpu2]connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password[/b:1rhkhpu2]), click Next.Fill in your ISP name, press next. The user name is supplied by the provider, and you pick the password. This you do over the phone with them. If you've done this already, fill it in again, and click next. Now click the [b:1rhkhpu2]Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop[/b:1rhkhpu2], and click Finish. On the next screen click onto [b:1rhkhpu2]Connect[/b:1rhkhpu2] and off you go.

If your skipping here, double click onto your Broadband connection, click onto [b:1rhkhpu2]Connect [/b:1rhkhpu2]and off you go. Hope I've not confused you too much, Mindblower!

Ema609, what do you mean when you said "[color=#0000FF:3gbjxi4u]it says its connected and I am now on 26. minutes .....[/color:3gbjxi4u]"?
Do you remember if you did those steps before? Did it work and you connected to the Internet?

Here is another thing to check. RIGHT click the My Computer Icon. Scroll down and Left click onto Properties Left click onto Hardware. Left click onto Device Manager. Double left click onto Network adapters. Double left click onto the blank Network Controller. In the centre under [color=#0040FF:3gbjxi4u]Device status [/color:3gbjxi4u]it should say [b:3gbjxi4u]This device is working properly[/b:3gbjxi4u]. Do you see this? Do you have a Yellow Triangle anywhere on the left side of the screen?

And one final question (for now), when you went thought the steps before, did you see a Computer Icon on the bottom of your screen, the Icon Tray? The Computer Clock would be be on the extreme right of the Icon Tray, and working from right to left along the Icon Tray, it would be on the extreme left side (of the Icon Tray), Mindblower!