Laptop Can't Connect To Net

[kerrex_2006]

Today, I was trying to use a new laptop to have a video conference with my suister on Skype. The ebcam works just fine, but the Skype connection doesn't go anywhere.

I tried using the Diagnostics and the problem was still there, even the regular internet doesn't work on it.

It's a Gateway notebook with ATI Radeon and Celeron M.

[redwudz]

What's the OS? Vista can be a bit difficult with internet connections unless you have it set up properly.

And what's your internet connection? Cable, DSL, Dialup?

What are you running for antivirus/malware prevention?

Firewall? Windows internal or a add on?

Are you logged on as administrator?

Your video/CPU has likely nothing to do with it.

Give us more info and you may have a better chance of a fix.

[kerrex_2006]

The OS is windows Vista

I'm not sure whether it's DSL or cable, but it's white, and it has a sticker that says "Straight Cable" so it's probable cable.

For our desktops we use Norton Antivirus, so I assume it's probably the same here.

I don't think we have FireWall.

I think there's only one log in for it.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Both the modem and the laptop need their own unique IP address so that the modem can route internet traffic to and from the right computer.

There are two ways that the addresses are assigned - statically and dynamically.

Statically means that the address is permanent - always the same. Like a telephone number.

Dynamically means that one of the machines (e.g., the modem) issues addresses to any other machines that come along. That would be more like going to a bowling alley and being told which lane to use that night.

The dynamic method (called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - DHCP) requires one machine to be the host. It has a static address and issues addresses to other machines. Your modem is usually the host.

The other machines - e.g., you laptop - need to be configured to receive addresses dynamically. This is the default with Vista.

If these two things are true then you shouldn't have a problem.

However, if the laptop is configured to be static then it can cause problems. The modem can only talk to other machines if their addresses are in a certain subset of all the possible addresses - a bit like only being able to make local calls.

So, some things to try and to answer:

Is your modem configured as a DHCP server?
What is the IP address of the modem? (It will have two - one for the outside world, one for your network. The one starting 192.168. is the one)
Have you changed its configuration or is it set up as when you got it?
If you don't know the above, what make/model is the modem?

Is your laptop connection configured for getting a dynamic address? To find out follow these steps:

Goto Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center
Click Manage network connections
Right click on Local Area Network (or whatever you see)
Double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Is Obtain an IP address automatically turned on?

Close all the various windows.

Goto the start menu. In the search box at the bottom type cmd and press enter. This is will open a command prompt window.

Type ipconfig followed by enter.

In that window, right click and choose Select All then press enter. This puts the output from the ipconfig command onto the clipboard. You can paste it into Notepad or directly into a reply to this post. Either way, please post it here as it will contain useful information.

We'll take it from there...