Cannot connect to internet on Vista laptop

William · External Since: Sep 18, 2006 Posts: 28

I am on vacation at a residence that has a cable modem. Windows XP connects
to the internet with no problem, but I can not get Vista to connect.
When I connect the Vista laptop to the ethernet connection on the cable
modem, and click on Internet Explorer it lets me know that I am working
offline. I click on the network icon in the task bar, and the Network and
Sharing Center opens up. there is a red "X" on the line between
"Unidentified Network" and "Internet." I click on the Red "X" and Windows
Network Diagnostics comes up. The 3 options that it gives me are no help.
I have had this laptop for a few months and it was working fine when I left
home yesterday. It is normally connected to a router, along with 2 other
computers, and the router is connected to the internet.
Thanks for your help!!!!!

William · External Since: Sep 18, 2006 Posts: 28

Please tell me if I have done the right thing so far, and what I need to do
next.

I opened "Network Connections," right-clicked "Local Area Connection," and
picked "Properties." Under the "Network" tab I unselected TCP/IPv6. I then
selected TCP/IPv4, clicked "Properties." I changed the selection from
"Obtain an IP address automatically" to "Use the following IP address" and
for the IP address i put in 169.254.55.91. The Subnet Mask became
255.255.0.0.
I am still unable to access the internet. When I open it Internet Explorer
it still lets me know that I am offline. There is also an exclamation point
over the Network Icon in the task bar. Please let me know what I should do.
Thanks!!!

"Robert L [MVP - Networking]" wrote:

> In this case, just setup static IP. Or this post may help.
>
> Vista: unidentified networkThe Network and Sharing center will identify the network as "unidentified network", with limited connectivity. I've checked with motherboard and chipset ...
> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums/viewtopic.php?p=1377&sid=efd7bb2f...9d78c8f
>
>
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "William" <William.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A55D6E56-F62E-4DC8-AAB9-CF3E65A9398C@microsoft.com...
> I am on vacation at a residence that has a cable modem. Windows XP connects
> to the internet with no problem, but I can not get Vista to connect.
> When I connect the Vista laptop to the ethernet connection on the cable
> modem, and click on Internet Explorer it lets me know that I am working
> offline. I click on the network icon in the task bar, and the Network and
> Sharing Center opens up. there is a red "X" on the line between
> "Unidentified Network" and "Internet." I click on the Red "X" and Windows
> Network Diagnostics comes up. The 3 options that it gives me are no help.
> I have had this laptop for a few months and it was working fine when I left
> home yesterday. It is normally connected to a router, along with 2 other
> computers, and the router is connected to the internet.
> Thanks for your help!!!!!

Gweezel · Joined: Aug 10, 2007 Posts: 1

We need a little more information to help. Right off the top, you erred when you put in the 169... address. That is a home address (Windows uses this address when it CAN'T connect).

First: How do you connect? Do you connect directly to the modem, or to a router? If you connect directly to the modem, you must enable DHCP. Your IP address will come from the service provider. If you connect to a router, you SHOULD enable DHCP, but if you put in a manual address, it must be on the same network as the router. (Incidentally, you won't have any problems with IPv6 enabled. In fact, on you Vista laptop, leave it enabled. Otherwise, Ad-Hoc networking with your wireless card won't work.)

Second: Does the service provider need the hardware address to enable your connection (if you connect directly to the router)? If this is the case, you are out of luck. I seriously doubt that the folks who live there will allow you to make the change with the service provider. They would have to pay to change it back.

Finally: In order to really troubleshoot, you would have to let us see your ipconfig info. However, being as this is not your network, it would not be right to leave your guests open to problems.

Bottom line: We need to know how you connect in order to help you.

Gweezel....