Hello and welcome to JustAnswer. I look forward to assisting you today with your question and providing the best answer possible.

Are you referring to the network port, where the Ethernet cable plugs in? If so, please click the + next to Network Adapters (in Device Manager). What is listed there?

OK the network port is actually listed under Network Adapters, not the ports section, like this:




If you see your Ethernet adapter under Network Adapters, then it is most likely working correctly. If that is the case please tell me exactly what problem you are experiencing.

Thank you for clarifying. Both your wireless card and your wired network card are showing correctly, so this probably isn't a hardware issue. Did this issue just start?

OK the first thing I want you to try is simple reset of the networking infrastructure. Is the computer in question using Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7?

OK great, please try the following for me and then let me know if you can connect while wired:

• 1. Click Start -> Run.
• 2. Type cmd and click OK.
• 3. Type netsh int ip reset reset.log and hit Enter.
• 4. Type netsh winsock reset and hit Enter.
• 5. Reboot when prompted.
• 6. Test again.

Can you see if you can connect to the Internet with that computer now, using a cable?

OK let me know what happens with the cable. I will await your response!

OK great we are getting there. Let's get the wireless fixed now. Here is what I want you to do:

• 1. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press R to bring up the Run window.
• 2. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
• 3. Right click your Wireless Network Connection and choose Properties.
• 4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
• 5. Near the bottom of the window, highlight your home network in the list and click the Remove or Delete button.
• 6. Click OK to save your changes and reboot.
• 7. When you computer comes back up, try to join your network again.

If that doesn't work, tell me exactly where you get stuck. For instance does the computer see the network and then not let you join it, or does it not even see the network after you remove it?

OK I know this will seem counterintuitive but the next thing we need to try is power cycling the router. There may be a communication issue that is only affecting this particular computer and the router. Please do the following:

1. Unplug the power from the back of your wireless router.
2. Wait about 30 seconds and then plug the router back in. Wait another 30 seconds for the router to boot back up.
3. Try joining the network again.

You should not lose your connection to me but if you do please come back to www.justanswer.com and click on My Stuff -> My Questions to get back to me.

OK has anything changed recently on the laptop? Any new software added, etc?