I installed xampp. started and stopped apache and mysql. installed wordpress. verified that localhost came up. went to read the wordpress documentation and my internet explorer is 'working offline'.
I stopped and restarted my computer - still offline
I looked at settings | control panel | internet options | connection and it showed MSN dialup. I have direct connect with an ethernet hub and the other computers on the hub are still connected to the IP. I removed the MSN, stopped and restarted -- still offline.
Obviously I am not a big communications wizard. Please tell me how to use a computer for server testing offline and then with the server stopped to connect to the internet and the reverse. If no one can explain this I will just have to uninstall everything and hope the settings are restored, wherever they are.
Thanks for any help you can give.