thanks for all your help Mighty_Pete...I still haven't got my connection...even after deleting my host file..my connection settings aren't different to how they were when it was working before..but yes anything IP address related is set to automatic...I rang my service provider to see if they knew any answers...but alas...no help. it looks like a few people have regained their login..while my problem persists. I'm almost given up, thanks for all your posts anyway!