Cannot connect to internet on Vista laptop

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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!!!!!
 
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!!!!!
 
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!!!!!!!
 
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!!!
 
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!!!
 
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?
 
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.
Click to expand...
--

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