Do you have dsl/cable internet connection? Is your modem seperate from the router? If so, I had a simular problem where I could connect about 1/2 of the time. The problem was the router and modem (out of the box) were both using the same gateway address 192.168.x.x block; this caused a conflict between the two. I had to set the modem to the 192.168.x.x gateway address block so the router could obtain a valid IP address from it, then the router to 10.0.x.x so the computer(s) could obtain an IP address from it.

The IP address assigned by your ISP can change if it isn't static; most aren't.

Mike.

I will also play around with internet connection sharing settings

Taterdog,

If you're using a router, you do not need Internet Connection Sharing installed on either machine. Both the wired and wireless interfaces will receive their IP addresses from the router. Note that the router's IP address should be shown as the "Default Gateway". The IP address received by the wireless and wired adapters will differ from the router's IP address in the last digit, and will be different from each other.

Jim

I have ADSL.  The modem/router are a combination Belkins product and are connected by cable to my desk top.  Following some advice from Dell's on-line help, I unplugged the modem/router last night.  This morning, I started it up and then started my wireless laptop before the desktop (don't know if the sequence makes a difference, but thought I would try).  The IP address configured correctly to the router - but still no internet access.  No firewalls in place.  I wonder if there might be a conflict in the last digit of the IP address.  I will check.  I will also play around with internet connection sharing settings - but to be honest, it's just trial and error.

Thanks!  Any other ideas - please let me know!

 

Thanks.  I will clear any interconnect sharing boxes that I've ticked.  That was my latest attempt to get a connection.  Then I will check on the last digit of the IP addresses.  When I started it this morning, I thought I had success with the IP (including last digits), but still no connection.