Vista - vista wireless connection okay - direct not

I'm having a problem connecting directly to the internet via my wireless modem - but not in wireless mode.

What I mean is that I also have a wire from the modem to my desktop but I cannot get Vista (Home Basic) to 'see' the directly connected cable.

I can plug the cable into my laptop running XP and it happily sees a wireless network and also sees the direct connection - which is faster and uses that one.

But for a long time I've tried to get the darn thing working on my desktop and unplugging the cable and plugging it in does nothing. The little green light where the cable plugs in but that's it.

The modem is a Linksys N Ultra range - model #: WRT160N-CA and it's pretty new.

How can I get Vista to see the direct connection as the wireless connection is nowhere near as good (ie: I see 2 to 3 bars out of 5 for a signal).

Thanks.

hello:
---I just bought a NEW wireless/router also and it would not work, (even trying a dozen times - the store said that I had a DUD?)---finally i phoned the 1-800-number of the router co.---they set up the main pc (over the phone) and the laptop too, step by step!---works perfect now---

peace