Are there any websites that I can use to sort out my laptop without having to pay £70 to pcworld?

[Oovavu]

Can't get an internet connection but the connection itself it fine as I can use my other pc to get on the internet with no probs. It's the laptop - the manual is written for people with computer doctorates but I'm sure if I was to speak to someone kind and sympathetic or follow eedjit-proof instructions I'd be fine. Is there such a thing? I wouldn't mind paying a fee (just not £70!)

ok, will try in the morning

have you tried ringing bt?

they can probably talk you through re-activating your wireless

Also some laptop (like mine) have a hard ware switch that can be acidently turned off, is the little wireless icon lit up on the laptop?

What make is your laptop?

It's Toshiba. No, it's not the little wireless switch - have done that before and learned the hard way!

I could ring BT - I thought they wouldn't be able to help as the connection with the Hub is obviously ok. But I should give it a go I spose.

The wireless switch must be on if the laptop is detecting an internet connection is present.

Go on the little icon on in the right hand corner with the big red x on it. Right click it, and it should have an option for "view wireless networks" or some such. When you press that what message do you get?

Well it didn't exactly do what you thought it might, but a box came up with a 'connectivity doctor' option, which I clicked and it says that it found a problem, the possible cause is:

"IP address was not set properly.(c-19)"

It then says the possible solutions for this are:

"Check with network provider to make sure DHCP is working properly.(a-24)
Check communication device for Bridged settings as you may need to disable the Bridge or reconfigure.(a-15)
Make sure that the MAC address filtering of the Access Point is set properly.(a-37)
Restart the Access Point or Router.(a-19)"

Lovely. Now what does that mean in English?

I would definately start by ringing BT, but it may also just be a case of re-booting(switching on and off) you router

Sounds like it is not finding an IP address, re-booting the router usually resolves this

so would it let you view wireless networks at all?

Also are you on a mac? What operating system do you have?

What is the "connectivity doctor"? It sounds like something related to your wireless card/stick.

I think we need to start at the beginning. Assuming you are not on a mac, what operating system do you have, ie windows XP?

What sort of wireless device do you have, ie a card within the laptop, or a stick you attach to the laptop. What make is it? If a stick what make is it, ie> Belkin

conectivity doctor is a Toshiba product that is built into their laptop

Try the Toshiba tech support center if you have no luck with BT, or re-booting the router

By re-booting the router, does that mean turning the HomeHub on and off again? (told you I was thick)

And the wireless thingy - on the pc it's a stick that hangs out the back of the hard drive but on the laptop it's built in, so I guess it's a card.

Yes try turning your home hub off, leave it for a couple of mins then turn back on, if that doesnt fix it i would ring BT

OMG - HOORAH!!! It worked, it worked. Am on the laptop now. Thank you sooo much VinegarTits

Thats great! your welcome