Help needed with Internet connection on Dell please.

Vancat

Hi All
Can anyone help me please?
I’ve just been made redundant, and as a parting agreement, my ex employer kindly transferred my 2 year old Dell Latitude laptop to me, complete with remaining warranty.
However, before doing so, the IT manager (who was miffed about me being given the laptop!) not only did a complete wipe, which he said took 41 hours…?????.... (obviously, for security, as I dealt with ultra sensitive data) but he also took off the Windows XP, and loaded up some rubbish free DOS. He also took off all the Dell diagnostic tools. :mad:
I’ve bought a legit Windows XP Pro OEM and Office. A friend who works in IT somewhere else, has successfully now loaded my new Windows XP and Office. He says our IT manager who did the security wipe did everything he could to make it difficult for me to use the laptop again….nice of him.
Problem is now connecting to the internet.
I use what was NTL broadband, now VM, cable to desktop PC, with a Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I’ve always used this same laptop wirelessly, through this setup as I worked from home for 3 years.
I couldn’t connect to the wireless…until I enabled it on the Dell and put in my wireless security…. I can’t access the internet at all, although I am connected to my router, with a connection showing “Excellent”. I get DNS error.
I’ve tried sitting husband’s laptop side by side with mine, and checking all the connection details to try to replicate his, but can’t do it.
What have I missed? What should I be checking? There doesn’t seem to be an IP address or DNS address on the Dell, although it’s set to automatically find one.
Thanks for any help you can give!
VC….(a Technophobe, as you’ve probably guessed.)

mdbarber

try resetting the router then powering up the lappy, once done open up a command prompt and type, ipconfig (presss enter) and see if the laptop is being given an ip address off the router.

geordie458

Have you checked your LAN settings in IE? Might need a bit of tweaking.

Vancat

I had just reset the router, so typed in ipconfig and I immediately connected to internet!! (But onto a neighbour's connection!!!!!!!:eek: )
Can't seem to get it to connect to my own connection now.....I've deleted mine, then it found it again, then I had to put the security code in...but it says limited connectivity now.
You are being really helpful guys....next step??
Thanks VC

Vancat

Hi All
I'd put the wrong wireless security code into my Dell.....now found the right code, and all is up and running now....thanks very much....:T
Regards
VC

mdbarber

Vancat wrote: »

Hi All
I'd put the wrong wireless security code into my Dell.....now found the right code, and all is up and running now....thanks very much....:T
Regards
VC

oops:embarasse:embarasse common one that, but at least now its working, tell your neighbour to secure her connection lol