I am running Vista Home Premium SP2 on a Dell XPS420. it is on a home network consisting of multiple laptops running Win8. Most times when the Vista computer boots up, it connects to an "Unidentified Network" with no internet connection. I can get it to connect to the internet by:
1. disabling the LAN connection
2. Manage network connections
3. enable the LAN connection.

How can I get the Vista computer to connect automatically to the correct LAN connection?

I'll venture into this but recognize I don't know that much about it.

Did you share the Vista computer with the Win 8 machines using the same Workgroup?

The Vista computer is shared as part of the same workgroup. The most recent change to the workgroup was when I added a new Win8 laptop in April 2011 - over a year ago. The problem with the unidentified network on startup of the Vista computer began occuring about 6 weeks ago - in late May or early June 2012.

Where did you get Win 8 a year ago?

If you go into Network and Sharing Center, have you run the Diagnose and Repair?

If you go to Network Connections, are any unknown networks shown there?

If you select Connect to a Network, there is a diagnostic for determining why the system can't find additional networks. That may be a good one to run.

Just some suggestions.

Win8 was preinstalled when I purchased the laptops.

Diagnose and Repair found no problems

Network Connections identified:
1. AT&T DSL (disconnected) on WAN miniport (PPPOE)
2. Wireless Network Connection Dell Wireless 1505
3. Bluetooth Network (disabled)
4. Local Area Connection Homegroup shared
The only two that I have ever used are the LAN (preferred) and the Wireless Network.

When Connect to a Network is selected, only two networds are listed - the AT&T DSL PPPoE and the Wireless Network. There also is no diagnostic choice; only hyperlinks in the window are "Setup a connection or network" & "Open Network and Sharing Center".

I have the additional diagnostic in connect to a network. That may be because I have an old dial-up connection listed. Not sure.

Why is the AT&T connection still enabled?

Are you sure Win 7, not Win 8 is installed. Win 8 isn't even supposed to be available in it's final form for about 3 or 4 months. Everything prior to that is Beta or review versions.

My mistake about the Windows version. The other computers on the home group are running Win 7.

The AT&T DSL on WAN miniport (PPPOE) is disconnected. Just to make sure that it is not complicating the picture, I have deleted it.

Is there a way to manually execute the "Diagnose why Windows cannot find any additional networks" hyperlink?

I'm going to have to quit reading threads after two double black russians. It says plain and clear that the AT&T .... is disconnected.

I don't know what you have to do to get that option if you don't have it. Note that I'm using the Classic view.

I wonder what would happen if your turned off Network Discovery.

One or more of your suggestions has apparently solved the problem. For the past few days, the correct LAN connection is made every boot-up.

Thanks so much for your help!!

Fantastic. Technology is great- when it works!