skip to main content

Laptop won't connect to internet

16 years ago

I got this Dell Inspiron 1420 off the internet with the intention of keeping it hooked up to my tv for additional cable stations. I can't get it to recognize the LAN connection. I spoke with my ISP service and they said it must be missing an adaptor and I should speak with Dell. I did all I know how to do and re-ran the installation discs to see if that might help but it didn't. I posted it back out for sale with a description of the problem and got a ton of responses. I'm wondering if this is a really easy fix I don't know about or am I best to proceed with selling it?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

bob414
16 years ago
The laptop has a button somewhere to turn the adapter on or off. It may be off. If so all you have to do is find the right button and push it.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
yes and it is often very easy to turn it off by mistake. on my netbook it is a little slider button at the very front edge right where I often grab it and in doing so slide it to off. Look for the little symbol that looks like a satelite dish sort of.
Also depending on how old it is it may not have a wireless connection card in it which you can take care of easily.
Tell us the model of the laptop.

Have you hooked it up to your connection using a wire to make sure you can connect that way and it is not some other problem? If not do that right away.
and give us more info on the type of connections you have and the specs on the laptop including the OS.
Related Discussions
Laptop from Europe won't charge here
Q
Comments (9)
There are a couple of things that could be going on here. First, how old is this laptop? I'm guessing it is maybe 8 years old or so and it's possible that it's not dual voltage. You should contact Acer tech support to find out whether or not it is, and to determine how to best approach this. If it's not dual voltage, then you should be able to buy a voltage converter so it can charge properly. If it's not dual voltage, I would worry about having it plugged in right now and causing damage to the computer (although the lower U.S. voltage may be less of a concern than if it were the reverse situation.) Secondly, I believe there are at least two kinds of European plugs that both have the round pins and look almost the same, but aren't. Sometimes if you have the wrong plug end adapter, the pins might not make proper contact inside the plug end converter. (Also, is this a 2 blade plug, or a grounded, 3-blade plug?) If you are convinced that power is coming from the receptacle, and to the original transformer, then that is not the problem. In that case, there could also be a break in the cord running to the computer, or something wrong with the little plug that inserts in the computer. Give Acer a call and then report back, please.
...See More
New Netbook Won't Connect to Internet
Q
Comments (5)
Try a simple reboot first or restart, If that does not work then; un plug the router and modem. Then plug modem in wait for 30 sec. Then plug router in. See if that helps. I can't understand how it's possible to lose a network driver on a new machine or any machine for that matter drivers just don't disappear!
...See More
Laptop won't hook up to wireless network
Q
Comments (8)
try a full power down of everything I do mean everything. Power off the computers, the router, the modem etc. leave all power off for 5 mins or so, then power up in this order, power to modem only let it get fully lit up, then power on to router, let it get fully lit up, then power up your computers letting each get fully loaded. Then try to connect to your wireless, I assume you have put in your wireless network passphrase for the laptops that are trying to access the wifi network.
...See More
Need help getting connected with a laptop
Q
Comments (10)
As Mikie mentioned, dial-up routers are pretty are rare these days and the ones that do exist are going to be used or rather expensive. She probably doesn't really need one. If she is going to use dial-up, you need to find her an ISP that provides dial-up service. I don't know who they are any more but Google should be able to help. She doesn't need to contact the phone company unless she wants DSL. If she happens to be on one of the restricted minute phone plans, she'll need to change that. Dial-up is just like a voice call and would count toward her call allowance. Unless the laptop has a built in modem, she's going to need an external one that connects via USB. With that setup, there will be no need to worry about wireless networking.
...See More
kittens
Original Author
16 years ago
There is a slider bar on the front of the laptop. I switched it both ways and still cannot connect. I don't have wireless capabilities yet so I'm using a hard wire for road runner. The road runner is fine because it's working on my desktop so I can post.

It's using Windows Vista
Intel(R) Core 2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz
RAM is 2046
System type 32-bit Operating System
I thought the model was Inspiron 1420?

Thanks :)
bob414
16 years ago
Have you checked the device manager for problems. I've never used vista but probably right click on 'my computer' and click on properties in the drop down menu. Look for network adapters and see if you have any red or yellow exclamation marks in front. Maybe right click on the adapter and click properties on the context menu and look for problems there.
zep516
16 years ago
Or you should have 2 small computers down by the clock in the task bar. Do they they show a red x, indicating a cable issue? You may also right click these computer icons and choose repair it never works but it may give you an indication of what is wrong.

Boot the computer to Safe Mode w / Networking and see if it connects to www.Google .com.
kittens
Original Author
16 years ago
Well I had a chance to go through all the suggestions but was unsuccessful. I wasn't able to connect in the Safe Mode and the repair function on the computer icon didn't fix it. I found the device manager and adapters but didn't see any information there either. The only options are for wireless and broadband connections. I give up! But thanks for all of your help!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
ok what can you do with the laptop? does it boot up? what are you using for internet provider? you mention road runner as in cable? If so that is a broadband connection.
What kind of router are you using? you should have a cable modem that they provided you then some type of router that you have an Ethernet cable coming from it to your laptop. or do you have the ethernet cable going directly from the cable modem box to your laptop?

you said you were not able to connect in safe mode what happened why not?

Is this a brand new laptop you just bought from Dell?
kittens
Original Author
16 years ago
I thought I was supposed to connect to the broadband and when I did it asked for user name & password. I called Time Warner for it and was told I needed to connect to the LAN.

Well anyways....I'm posting from my laptop - woohoo. I just went and bought a wireless router and it's running smoothly now!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
well at least you got it working! just make sure you did set up your wireless router securely.

Related Stories

MORE ROOMS Where to Put the TV When the Wall Won't Work

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

See the 3 Things You'll Need to Float Your TV Away From the Wall

HOME TECH 3 Kitchen Contraptions You Won’t Believe

Pizza hot from the printer, anyone? These cooking gadgets harness imagination and high tech — and have price tags to match

HOME TECH Facebook Meets Fido: Pet Connections for the Digital Age

Three new products let you communicate with your dog or cat while you're at work

HOME TECH 7 Ways to Charge Up and Connect After Disaster

Products and tips for communicating and keeping essential items running till the power's back on

HOME TECH Wake Up to the New World of Connected Alarm Clocks

Use your smart phone to enhance your alarm clock, to get more music and better sound than ever before

KITCHEN DESIGN Home Tech: Make a Place for the Web in the Kitchen

By Laura Heller

See why the heart of the home may be the perfect place to connect to the internet — and each other

DECLUTTERING Decluttering — Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

By Alison Hodgson

Sure, you might make a mistake when tackling a decluttering project, but that's OK. Here's why

HOUSEKEEPING Don't Touch Another Stain Before You Read This

By Mitchell Parker

Even an innocent swipe with water may cause permanent damage. Here's what to know about how rugs and fabrics react

LIVING ROOMS Living Rooms That Don’t Revolve Around the TV

By Simon Farrell-Green

In these spaces, the television takes a back seat to conversation, relaxation and aesthetics

HOME TECH If ‘High-Def’ TV Isn’t High Enough, Maybe You Need Ultra-HD

The ultra-luxury next generation of TV, called Ultra-HD, is finally here. And so is the first content, if you know where to look

Sponsored

Bull Run Kitchen and Bath

291 Reviews

Virginia's Top Rated Kitchen & Bath Renovation Firm I Best of Houzz

More Discussions

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1