Reconfiguring Systems when you leave ResNet

When you finish using the ResNet ethernet service, and move out of hall or return home for the summer vacation you may want to connect your computer to the Internet using an alternative ISP (Internet Service Provider). This is normally quite straightforward. Connecting your computer to ResNet does not require special settings and it works in a similar way to other broadband Internet services. Therefore there is no specific ResNet uninstallation procedure you need to follow (except for uninstalling site-licensed software that you must remove once you are no longer a member of the University).

If you have problems connecting to your new provider and think that leftover settings from ResNet may by responsible, read this document in conjunction with instructions from your new ISP.

• Choose an alternative Internet Provider and set up your computer to connect to it
• Change proxy settings
• Check DNS settings
• If you have problems connecting to sites within the University
  • Off-site proxy
  • DNS problems
• If your new ISP is a dialup service
  • Windows 98/ME only: Install Dial-up networking
  • Enable or install your dialup modem
  • Change default dialer

Choose an alternative Internet Provider and set up your computer to connect to it

We have a guide to choosing a broadband Internet provider that may be helpful. The connection procedure will vary between different providers and you will need to follow their instructions.

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Change proxy settings

Systems on ResNet are normally configured to use the University of Bristol proxy server. If you will no longer be a member of the University you must turn this off. If you will still be a member of the University you may find it useful to leave it on so you can access University only resources - see the Off-site proxy.

To turn it off:

• For Internet Explorer 6, go to Tools, Internet Options, LAN Settings, and remove any ticks from 'Use a proxy server' and 'Use automatic configuration script'.
• For Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools (you may have to press the Alt key to make Tools appear), Internet Options, Connections, LAN Settings, and remove any ticks from 'Use a proxy server' and 'Use automatic configuration script'.
• For Firefox, go to Tools, Options, Advanced, Network, Settings, and choose 'Direct connection to the Internet' or 'No proxy'.
• You can find out the version of your browser by clicking the Help menu and selecting About...
• For other web browsers see http://wwwcache.bristol.ac.uk/config/.

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Check DNS settings

Most ResNet users won't need to do this since normally computers on ResNet should be set up to obtain their DNS settings automatically. On some however they are set up manually, and this can cause problems when you leave ResNet. The typical symptom is that your Internet connection with your new provider works fine, except for accessing anything within the University.

• Windows XP: Click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections. Double-click Local Area Connection. Click Properties. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Make sure Obtain DNS Server address automatically is ticked.

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If you have problems connecting to sites within the University

People sometimes report that everything is working fine with their new provider, except that they cannot access sites within the University. There are two possible explanations for this:

Off-site proxy

If you try to connect to some websites within the University and your web browser pops up a box asking for a username and password this is because your browser is still set up to use the University web proxy. Click Cancel and then read the instructions. If you try and access the proxy from outside the University it requires a password so that only members of the University can access it. It is useful to be able to use the proxy from outside the University as it enables you to access restricted resources, such as electronic library resources. For more details see the off-site proxy.

DNS problems

If you can't connect to any website within the University, including the ResNet site, and aren't asked for a password, there is a different problem. This happpens because the TCP/IP DNS settings indicate that your computer is still within the University .bristol.ac.uk) and so when your traffic reaches the University boundary router it is rejected as it looks as if the traffic is spoofed.

First see check DNS settings above. Sometimes we've seen a case where even though the settings look fine they aren't internally. In that case remove or disable the ethernet card (see above) or if you need the ethernet card remove it and reinstall the drivers

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