Laptop refusing to connect to Internet

[spotit3]

For the past few days I cannot connect to the internet on my laptop. I am wireless and I can connect OK on my desktop but my laptop just refuses to connect. Can anyone help please?

[Ethel]

This is not a repair shop job. It is something you can fix yourself, but more importantly, it is going to be impossible for a man in a shop to sort out your internet connection at home.

[spotit3]

Thanks for your help last night Ethel. I clicked on repair but still no joy with connecting. Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your trying to help anyway. I have learnt so much from your answers to other people so keep up the good work.

[koster]

ACtheTROLL's suggestion about swapping cable with desktop.

He means that there is a network cable going into your desktop.

Put your laptop on the same table as the desktop computer. Unplug the network cable from the desktop. Plug this cable into your laptop. Just to try.

[spotit3]

Just to get this right before I have to go offline to try it.
There is a long black thing a bit like a large ballpoint pen sticking out of the back of the desktop. Is that what I have to disconnect and try in laptop? I apologise for my ignorance of these matters. Wish they held simple classes for things like this!

[Ethel]

No.

That is your aerial that connects you wirelessly. Do not connect that.

You don't use a cable to connect the desktop to the router - have you got an ethernet cable? That is what you need.

[spotit3]

I tried the ethernet cable but still no good. Just to check I was doing the correct thing I plugged one end of cable into the Linkys box and the other end into the laptop.

[Ethel]

Ok.

Do you know how to set your router up - the security and everything?

If you do, I strongly suggest you reset it and start again.

It is very odd that it won't work when you are connected by cable

[spotit3]

Thanks for all your help but I think I will wait until an 'expert' calls with me as I would not be confident about resetting, security etc and am afraid of being left with no internet access on desktop either as I really need it as I have someone in Afghanistan and this is how they communicates with me.

[ACtheTROLL]

gosh

what a busy time you've had
ok
desktop OK (?) uses wireless
laptop not OK - uses wireless
.... so we can say it's not the wireless that's at fault.

I assume you've tried the laptop in the same room as the router - so it's probably not because you are too far away.
(if not - do try it)

this almost certainly means it's the laptop
you have a signal - so it's not the wireless adapter .....
and by the sound of it you've either tried it with an ethernet cable .... or plugged your laptop into the hoover ;)

Now that only leaves two things ....
windows has forgotten who your router is .... or something is stopping the connection getting through.

also - you can't mess up the desktop by fiddling with the laptop

but if enough is enough .... fair enough

one last question ....firewalls have been mentioned .... are you by any chance using zone alarm?

because a windows update messed up internet access a couple of months ago - and what you say sounds exactly right

[spotit3]

Sorry, Have no idea about firewalls or Zone alarm. I know my desktop has ESET Smart Security but I have a feeling it is not on my laptop. How do I know if I have Zone alarm?

[ACtheTROLL]

there would be a "Z" near the clock (bottom right)

[spotit3]

Definitely no 'Z'. I am now going to bed to sleep on it. Not literally, I hasten to add!