I got my new laptop today (good times!) but it won't connect to the internet (bad times :thumbdwn:). It says it's connected to an unidentified network and it shows how long and at what speed the connection is but it just wont connect to the web. It's cable broadband we have here and it's been plugged into our modem that's used for the desk top. Email also obviously isn't working too.

It's saying the WLAN or whatever is disconnected :confused: It's able to display wireless networks from various neighbours ok but they are protected so we can't see if all is well with the wireless side of things. The cable modem has been checked and is fine.

It's Vista on the laptop if that makes a difference.

Help

Stupid question, but have you installed the software that came with your cable modem or whatever so the lappy can recognise it/ get around your own security?

Right, first of all are you using a USB lead to the modem or a Network (Cat5 RJ45) cable or have you got a wireless router? You seem quite vague on this on your original post.

If using a network cable you dont need drivers installed on the lappy, it works out the box. If the desktop was using USB (and would of had drivers for it) then you will be better using a network cable for the laptop. If this is the case though, the modem needs switching off and on (take the mains cable out of it for a few seconds) to change between USB and network cable.

Also, make sure that the network port on your PC has been enabled (network settings, not sure where that is in Vista) right click on the port and select enable.

If your trying to connect to someone elses wireless network then forget it, thats illegal. If its your own then you need to go into more detail on your router type etc.

Steve

sometimes you need to reeboot your modem to get it to work with a new connection (that's switching it off and on again)

Stupid question, but have you installed the software that came with your cable modem or whatever so the lappy can recognise it/ get around your own security?

No need to install any software, assuming that the modem is connected via ethernet.

Pixi, I assume you are plugging the modem straight in rather than through a router. If you are, then turn everything off including the cablemodem, then with nothing connected power up the modem, reboot the laptop and plug in the ethernet lead and it should work. The NTL modem will only talk to the first device it finds once powered on, any device plugged in after that is ignored.

Turn off wireless on the laptop.

No need to install any software, assuming that the modem is connected via ethernet.

Pixi, I assume you are plugging the modem straight in rather than through a router. If you are, then turn everything off including the cablemodem, then with nothing connected power up the modem, reboot the laptop and plug in the ethernet lead and it should work. The NTL modem will only talk to the first device it finds once powered on, any device plugged in after that is ignored.

This has actually worked and I am using the laptop right now downstairs

The modem is based downstairs and it was the LAN that was not connecting (my apologies for confusing things and saying it was the WLAN!) When we took the laptop upstairs to the attic room where my desktop was and unplugged that and plugged the laptop in it actually worked. So after trying it again downstairs and it still not working we rebooted the modem and restarted the laptop and hey presto!!

I will be keeping the desktop in use upstairs aswell as wanting to use the laptop downstairs at times (not in use at the same time). Will I have to do this rebooting of the modem etc every time I choose to use the laptop?

Thankyou so much!!

Edited 22 July, 200817 yr by pixi

This has actually worked and I am using the laptop right now downstairs

The modem is based downstairs and it was the LAN that was not connecting (my apologies for confusing things and saying it was the WLAN!) When we took the laptop upstairs to the attic room where my desktop was and unplugged that and plugged the laptop in it actually worked. So after trying it again downstairs and it still not working we rebooted the modem and restarted the laptop and hey presto!!

I will be keeping the desktop in use upstairs aswell as wanting to use the laptop downstairs at times (not in use at the same time). Will I have to do this rebooting of the modem etc every time I choose to use the laptop?

Thankyou so much!!

If the NTL/VM modem does this by MAC address you could put a small device in the way to share the connection meaning you don't have to reboot the router every time. You could also buy a specific cable modem from somebody like draytek.

Yes the cable modem will remember the MAC.