Ethernet Not Working

[FlamesPuck12]

I reinstalled Window Vista on to my laptop and now the ethernet won't work on it. I'm pretty sure that I downloaded the drivers for the ethernet but for some reason it can't connect. I checked the device manager and it has the right network adapter and it's enabled.

Under Network and Sharing Center, it says

Connected to: Unidentified Network
Access: Local Only

But its unable to connect to the internet.

However, I can use wireless to connect to the internet.

Any ideas on how I can fix this?

[Rathji]

Ethernet devices are common enough that you shouldn't need to download any additional drivers for ethernet connectivity when using Vista, as the drivers should be included with the OS. Although if it is some freaky laptop made by the fine people at Skoda, you might be outta luck.

What model of laptop is it?
What does device manager list the ethernet device as? Broadcom?
Is it enabled and functioning properly, or does it have a yellow exclamation mark beside it?
Are you sure it worked before you reinstalled Vista, or could it have fried the device via power surge or something? If you use wireless mostly, you might not have noticed?

At any rate, you could try deleting the drivers through device manage, and rebooting the system. Vista should reinstall them automaticly and you should be good to go.

[FlamesPuck12]

Model: Dell Studio XPS 13
Ethernet Device: nVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Functioning Properly
Brand new replacement laptop they sent me so I think ethernet work prior to reinstalling Vista.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

I reinstalled Window Vista on to my laptop and now the ethernet won't work on it. I'm pretty sure that I downloaded the drivers for the ethernet but for some reason it can't connect. I checked the device manager and it has the right network adapter and it's enabled.

Under Network and Sharing Center, it says

Connected to: Unidentified Network
Access: Local Only

But its unable to connect to the internet.

However, I can use wireless to connect to the internet.

Any ideas on how I can fix this?

Your ethernet card is working, but its failing to grab a DHCP lease. Check and see if its configured to automatically obtain a network address. You could try doing an "ipconfig /renew" from an administrative command prompt to see if its able to contact the DHCP server (ie. your router)