well, i'll try my luck in this section...

we have dsl and got a new computer with XP home edition already installed on it and are able to usually get a connection, however explorer cannot find that there is a connection and gives us an error message when that the server cannot be found.
we tried doing the automatic network connection, but it doesn't do anything.
my husband thinks the tcp/ip protocoll is not set up properly, but there is no way to establish a new protocoll under the network settings.
also, the computer only off and on recognizes that the dsl card is there and in working order. can anybody help? thanks

I Have no experience of DSL but may be able to help you
Open the Control Panel and open the "Network connections" folder
Look to the left hand side and see if you can call up the Network Troubleshooter guide? This has a "walk-through" and it may help you on this issue?
If you have no joy delete the Dial on Demand Icon or Reinstall your software (If it asks to overwrite files then tick the "Yes to All " box (Easiest way )
Another thing it might be? Is the DSL card pushed fully into the Main board? Sounds daft asking but it does happen Also any plugs connected to it?

thanks bedstor, but it is no so much a dsl problem as a tcp/ip problem it seems. we need to install a tcp protcol with no means to do so.