Connecting Virgin broadband to Dell Inspiron with Windows Vista

[Alika]

I recently got a new dell Inspiron 531 and have had cable fitted. We have never had internet in the house before. I have not been able to get the internet conencted, despite having been given a code to bypass Windows Vista problems, Virgin. Whenever it gets to the registration stage it says there is no internet connection, is there any way I can fix this? Ethernet connects modem to the computer and all lights are on, so it seems a problem with computer. Am not techy so any advice gratefully appreciated.
Thanks!

[4GS]

If you have a virgin phoneline give them a call on 151 or