Desktop PC can connect, laptop cannot

Hi there,

I have just joined Virgin cable on the M package.

I have succesfully activated and registered my modem using my desktop and the connection is fine.

When I plug the ethernet cable into my laptop though, I cannot get a connection

I have checked that I can get a connection with a wireless card to my flatmates router, used an external network pcmia card just in case there is a problem with the ethernet socket on my laptop. Also, tried switching the modem on and off at different points to no avail.

Tried to go to the activation page for virgin - no luck.

Also tried recreating the network connection

Any other ideas?

I am using an old dell c600 Latitude with XP pro

Thanks for any help in advance :-)

I believe you have drivers installed for your network card.

Connect ethernet cable. Go to "Control Panel" Pick up "Network connections". If there is no red cross on Local Area Connection and status shows connected - thats good sign
Right click onto LAN, go to properties, highlight TCP/IP, then properties again.
Make sure "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server addresses automatically" are selected. Then close.

Go to terminal, type ipconfig /release , wait a minute, then again ipconfig /renew , wait a minute again and ipconfig /all
Check IP address and default gateway.
your IP address shouldn't be started with 169.254 ...if it is, it means your computer is unable to get an IP from the modem for some reasons.

Edit: Go to command prompt , not terminal of course

Edited by deleted (Tue 06-May-08 15:59:11)

Are you connecting the laptop straight into the cable modem (i.e. swapping from desktop)?

If so then power off the cable modem for 5 mins - when you switch it back on make sure laptop is plugged in cable modem before powering - you'll then find that only the laptop will work (until you repeat the exercise with just the desktop in - you can only do it so many times an hour) - The issue is cable modems will only assign one IP address and that is the first item connected to them after powering on

If that cures the problem then It is probably best to a router (search this forum for wrt54g - it is usually mentioned in best router threads)

Thank you both for your posts - very helpful information and very detailed

I will try those suggestions and see how it goes :-)