I cannot figure out how to tell my laptop to connect via dsl. I was able to before but after getting a new computer I shelved this one and only used it for regular dial up. Now that I need another unit in use and I have a modem/router I tried to hook it up but cannot get it to connect via dsl. Can anyone help me?

Generally there is not too much to it. As the DSL modem takes care of all the internet connection, all you need to do is ensure that the laptop and the router are on speaking terms and that the laptop knows that the router is where it can find the internet.

When you have physically connected the laptop to the router, check to see that both ends show a connection light (green). If you don't get the connection light, you may be using a faulty cable. Next open a dos prompt and enter the command 'ipconfig'. This should return a fair amount of information. What we are interested in is the IP address. This should be 192.168.xxx.xxx or 10.xxx.xxx.xxx. This IP address should be similar to the one your other computer returns but not identical. That is the last number needs to be different.

If this checks out, you can test connectivity be using the 'ping' command. At the dos prompt type 'ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx' where the xs mean the IP address of your router. Also try the other computer.

Now run the internet connection wizard. Tell it you want to connect through a lan and to automatically detect settings.

rimfire;
Here is what I got, the laptop that I cannot connect dsl to:
IP 169.254.174.228
subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
my computer that works:
IP 192.168.1.47
subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: 192.168.1.1
also when you tell me to try and ping, I don't know what my router address is.
Thanks for your prompt help, I was afraid my message would just sit here for a few days.

The IP address on the laptop is a real one. Where as the other computer uses a private one. You need to change the address to a private one with the same subnet mask.

Depending on how the router was set up, there are two different methods of doing this. Open control panel then the network icon. Click on properties. Highlight TCP/IP then click on the properties button.

First try changing the radio button to 'Obtain settings automatically' (or something similar on not using win98 at the moment). Then reboot. Open a dos prompt and check the ipconfig. Hopefully you will now have an IP address 192.168.1.xx. If you do, check the network by pinging the router 'ping 192.168.1.1' and the other computer 'ping 192.168.1.47. If all is well, open your browser and see if it works.

If you don't use DHCP. You will find the IP address returns 0.0.0.0, in which case you will need to manually configure the settings. Once again go to TCP/IP properties and change the radio button back to manually configure. Enter the IP address as 192.168.1.48 the subnet mask 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway 192.168.1.1. You will notice this is almost identical to your working computer except the last number of the IP address is changed. This will be worth remembering if you ever have to add another computer. Once again, you will need to reboot.

okay guys, it was my ethernet card, purchased a new one and I am off and running. Thank you so much for all the help, it is greatly appreciated!