Getting on line with a laptop

[shiznit]

My friend has asked me to help get her online with her laptop and I am struggling with it like mad. The reason for this is I use an Apple Mac and this is very easy to setup, and my PC knowledge is limited at best. I have managed to get all the correct details entered in the dial up settings, and can actually get it to dial up using network connection, but when you lauch Internet Explorer all I get is the "this page cannot be displayed" message. Any ideas on why this is? before I have to fork a load of cash on a Mac for her.

Thanks

[MargeB]

This answer cannot be displayed

[chris-n-vick]

TEST post............ i typed a massive reply and when i tried to post it was given an error message........if that happens again you wont read this......... if it doesnt i will re-write my reply

[chris-n-vick]

hmmm there is something about my reply that AB doesnt like .........so we will try a different approach.......
the fllowing is based on your friend using a dial-up connection.

to test that your friends modem and pc CAN get to the outside world........goto the start button and open.........

PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > COMMUNICATIONS > PHONE DIALLER.

have a mobile phone with you.

using the phone dialler program dial the mobile phone number ... if it rings we know the modem settings are correct.

[chris-n-vick]

if it doesnt ring .......... re-check your modem settings.

if it does we need to check internet explorer settings.

to do this on the main desktop RIGHT CLICK the internet explorer icon and select PROPERTIES.

look for the tab that says CONNECTIONS and click it.

ensure that the "always dial my default connection" button is ticked"

now look for the tab that says GENERAL

in the "homepage" box enter an address of a site you KNOW exsists (making sure the box is completely empty b4 you do).......google is always a good 1 to start with.

click the apply button to save changes and close the box.......now retry to connect.

[chris-n-vick]

if it still doesnt connect there are 2 things we need to confirm......

1: does the pc "know" what number to dial to gain access to the internet? if you have used a ISP install disc it should have installed the correct number for the modem to dial.

2: is there a firewall disallowing access?

check all the above and if still no joy let me know.

Chris

[chris-n-vick]

PS!

i noticed upon re-reading your Q. you mention a "network"

are you trying to connect the laptop to the internet via another pc? or direct?

if via another pc ensure the other pc has "INTERNET CONNECTION SHARING" enabled!

if it is directly then use my previous answers