Helpful to verify reports of your own downtime, or to double check a downed website you are trying to access.
One of a set of tools we are providing to everyone as a way of saying thank you for being a part of the community.
LAN NIC tcp/ip settings
ip address 192.168.0.2
mask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.0.1
enable dns and use the dns ip that your isp gave you (or 192.168.0.1)
disable wins
then from a prompt type
ping 192.168.0.1
you should get a reply