New laptop won't connect to the internet - only has 'local' access?

[Lovecat]

I've googled this problem and tried a few things, but nothing has worked and it's driving me insane!

I've got a compaq laptop which has been away for repair (hard drive got wiped) and they've reinstalled Windows Vista - now, although it's found my wireless router and connected to it, it won't then connect to the internet and on my "Network and Sharing Center" it keeps saying that it's an unidentifed network (and public, even though I keep checking the 'private' box!).

I've disabled all my firewalls, I've disabled and enabled my network adaptors, I've gone into Device Manager and the software for it is up to date... if I have to keep borrowing DH's pc to go online I'm going to end up in the divorce courts, so any advice anyone could give will be very gratefully received!

Cheers :o

turn the router off

count to 10

turn it on again

Cheers Custy, how do I turn the router off ?

erm...

y'know the internet box thingy - like if its bt it would be the bt homehub

well just unplug it

it might have a re-set button

I sometimes have to log in to the web interface of my router and then save the settings (I don't change anything, just click on save). That usually works.

Thanks for that, I have tried both several times now and it's still getting the same problem.

I've searched online and found that apparently Norton might be stopping it, but although you can deinstall it via windows, it needs to be done via something on their website. Which of course I don't have access to, being unable to connect to the interweb! (I can go on DH's PC to find it, but how do I then get it onto my laptop? )

Anyone got any ideas on how I can do that bit of it, pretty please? :)

Have you tried connecting your laptop directly to the router using a network cable - that may allow you to access the internet.

Would agree with trying an ethernet/RJ45 cable most routers come with 1, or look in Poundland :)

Which ISP is it ? I have seen some where router does not correctly set up PC network info.

Most peolpe have network adaptor settings for TCP/IP to use DHCP to get settings from router (and if not, Windows usually gives 169.254.x.x address and won't "talk" to anything else on your LAN as it is a 'private' address)

So, rarely, one may need to define DNS and Gateway addresses manually.

It's BT Broadband via a HomeHub. That part of it's working perfectly, the WLAN connects to the hub with a strong signal, but then it won't go on to connect to the internet as it's an 'unrecognised network'. It also keeps making the connection Public rather than Private and won't stay switched. Grr.

I've tried manually keying in the TCP/IP and DNS addresses and it part-worked then died on me. As suggested on another site, I tried doing 'IPCONFIG/renew' in the CMD screen and it said this command needs 'elevation' (WTF?) so am on the verge of throwing it through the window/taking it to the dodgy shop down the road that does PC repairs and seeing what they can do...

One thing that it did say last night when I turned everything off (including the router) and reset it all to find the address automatically was, when I ticked the TCP/IPv6 box (having disabled it previously) 'You need to insert a network card' - it does already have a network card, could this be faulty and causing the problem?

Are you sure the WEP (or whatever security system is being used) code has been entered correctly?

Connecting the laptop directly to the router using an Enthernet LAN cable will get around the need for the WIFI security code.