Cannot connect to internet on Vista laptop

[Guest]

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!!!!!

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

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=efd7bb2fe5c9d78c8fafa9d9fb0d00cc


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
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!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for you response. I am trying to figure out how to change to Static
IP on VIsta. I did it a couple of times in the past on XP, but I can't
figure out where to go on Vista. Do I go through the Network and Sharing
Center? Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

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]]

No, 169.254.0.0 is not good IP. Refer to XP IP, you may be able to figure it out.

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
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!!!

 

[Guest]

I just went to look at the IP address for this computer (the XP computer), to
see what IP address it has, only to find that it is on what I believe is
called DHCP (Obtain an IP address automatically). This XP computer is
working flawlessy on this connection from just plugging it in, and it doesn't
have a Static IP. Is there some sort of fundemental setting that I might be
missing on the Vista computer that is preventing it from connecting to this
cable modem?

 

[Barb Bowman]

some cable modems will require you to power cycle them between
connecting different computers/network cards because the bridging
table is expecting the mac address of the last computer that was
connected.

you don't mention a router and state you connect direct to the cable
modem.

unplug the cable modem and plug it back in. then power up the
computer that won't connect. what happens?

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.

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Guest]

Hey Barb,

I am typing this to you on the computer that you just helped me to connect.
Thank you very much and have a great weekend!!!!!!!

 

[Barb Bowman]

thanks for reporting back with the good news.

Hey Barb,

I am typing this to you on the computer that you just helped me to connect.
Thank you very much and have a great weekend!!!!!!!

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

ipconfig /all will tell you ip information on the XP.

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
I just went to look at the IP address for this computer (the XP computer), to
see what IP address it has, only to find that it is on what I believe is
called DHCP (Obtain an IP address automatically). This XP computer is
working flawlessy on this connection from just plugging it in, and it doesn't
have a Static IP. Is there some sort of fundemental setting that I might be
missing on the Vista computer that is preventing it from connecting to this
cable modem?