Need help making a DSL connection to my old Inspiron

Question

I have a 6 yr old Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop that has been upgraded to XP. I signed up for DSL service with AT&T Yahoo, using a 2wire wireless gateway, and an ethernet cable between the laptop & gateway (not in a truly wireless configuration, yet).   If I use my sister's new Dell Inspiron laptop, there is no problem making DSL connection. But if I try to connect my old Inspiron, I can't connect. The ethernet light on the gateway never lights-up. The error message says the destination address is not valid. I tried using XP's Network Connection Wizard to make a new broadband connection, but it didn't help.   I read that new laptops have a ethernet card built-in. Could that be what's missing on my old Inspiron? Neither laptops have any type of external pc card plugged in.   If I need a card, what type do I buy? Is an ethernet card the same as a network card? All this is new to me.

volcano11 · Answer

An ethernet card and a network card are the same thing.  Most newer computers have the ethernet network adpater built in to the motherboard,  The ethernet adapter for the 8000 would have been a Mini PCI card modem and ethernet combo card.  If that is not installed, then you would not have an ethernet adapter.  Look in Device Manager and expand the listing for network adapters.   Is there an ethernet adapter listed there?  You could also look under the MiniPCI card door and see what is in there:   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/plav/sm/remove.htm#1050760   Steve

jmwills · Answer

Take modem out of the discussion. The only modem you can use is your DSL modem. What you need if that laptop does not have one is a network(ethernet) card. If one is not there, you can install a PCMCIA network card that fits into the slot on the side of the laptop for PCMCIA devices. This card will have probably 2 RJ45 ports for an ethernet connection.

747ken · Answer

Thanks Steve, that information helps...   I took the cover off and it does have a mini pci internal modem. But it's the 56k, V.90 (dial-up) modem only. The Inspiron manual shows that an optional 10/100 LAN + 56k mini pci  modem was available. I selected the 56k only modem when I configured the system.   So I guess I have to buy another mini pci modem card. If so, from Dell?  Do I have any other options, like a pc card?

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Need help making a DSL connection to my old Inspiron

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