PCTech Forums

i have a Dell Inspiron 8200 notebook that has a "3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ehternet Controller" but when i plug the ethernet cord into the the jack (next to the phone jack) it shows orange and the computer won't connect to the internet (but it does show that the network cable is plugged in and OK). Is there something wrong or something different that i need to do to get it to work? Does it matter if i use the same cable modem, cord, and connection that i use for my desktop (on which the internet works fine) because i'm thinking that this is the problem?

You should be able to unplug the CAT5 cable from your desktop and plug it into your laptop. If this fails to work, reboot the cable modem and see if that works.

well, i tried unplugging the ethernet cord from my desktop and then plugging it into my laptop, but it still gives the orange light on the left and a blinking yellow light on the right, the same thing happens if i reboot the modem...when i try to open internet explorer, it says that an internet connection isn't available even though it shows in "network connections" that the LAN and the 1394 connection are connected and enabled

Perhaps there is a setting we are missing.

On the desktop, please go to Control Panel-->Network and Internet Connections-->Network Connections. Right click on your Local Area Network connection and bring up properties. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) then click on properties.

Can you list the settings you see there.

Then do the same on the Laptop and see if they match.

In Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties all of the settings on both the desktop and the laptop match (both run WinXP). The settings that are checked under the "general" tab are: Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically. Under "alternate configuration" Automatic private IP address is checked.

Perhaps your cable modem has the MAC address of your desktop tied to it. Call the cable company and find out. I had that issue once.