Vista - Unidentified Network: Local access

Hey guys,

I'm aware that this is quite a common issue and i apologize if it's been repeated hundeds of times, but it's driving me crazy.

I have an acer 8920g laptop with an atheros AR8121 pci-e ethernet network card. On my older laptop, the internet connects fine via cable modem and an ethernet cable (this has a broadcom network card). On the newer laptop i just seem to get local access only, with a 169.x.x IP address, no default gateway or DNS server addresses. Both laptops run vista home premium, and i'm totally lost and confused as to where it's going wrong..

Ive been searching a few sites and there doesnt seem to be any definitive answer to this problem

Does anyone know how to fix this before i throw my laptop out of the window?

Thanks

Hi and welcome to vista forums

the 169.254.x.x is local to your machine. we need to take a look at the device manager to make sure your network driver is installed and working.
Start>search>type device manager>goto network adapters. make sure its listed and doesn't have a yellow triangle on it. right click>properties> make sure "working correctly".

let us know the results

ken

the device is working correctly according to the device manager. It's very confusing as it works perfectly on other machines but not this particular one.

How are you trying to connect via Wireless or Ethernet cable ?

Have you tried to connect both ways and still have problems or what ?

Not saying I can help but I'm throwing ideas out for you

i only have a cable modem and can only connect via ethernet cable. This works on another laptop i have tried it on but not this.. so i'm assuming its the machines settings.

What firewalls are you using, have you made sure that is not stopping you. Do you have the network icons showing in the notification area, you know down by the clock, what does that say when you click on it to bring up it's properties ?

I know there are all those protocols in there like Iv4 Iv6 (sic) not sure if that's right, but the experts here will know what I mean. Are they set to obtain the address automatically.
I did say I wouldn't really be able to help but I'm just throwing out ideas of things I've seen mentioned at times.

If none of this makes sense to you I'd wait for one of the experts to come along there's bound to be one of them who will be able to sort you out and get your machines working, sorry but that's the best I can do

All IPv4 and IPv6 settings are configured to automatic, DCHP is enabled..i'm just a total loss to be honest lol.thanks for the advice though