Laptop internet connection woes

[Rulke]

Greetings,

So I just got a brand new laptop. This is also my first laptop. Its a Dell Studio, with Vista 64. I am having several problems with it.

I cant connect to the interenet. Even with a cord plugged directly into the card. I get 'limited' connection.

Wireless is the same way.

Last night I spent over an hour online with tech support who basically had me revert to factory install settings, then restart my modem. It worked. This morning when I turned the laptop back on, I have the same problem.

The only thing I have done is tried to add Norton Systemworks 2002 for antivirus protection. I dont know if this is messing it up, but its all i can think of. I have tried to uninstall it, but it wont go away (its not listed under programs anymore, but there is still an icon in the tray and I am getting script errors now) I cant imagine Norton fucking up internet connection, but its my only guess. I have never used Vista for anything either -_- Any ideas?

[Nattack]

Last night I spent over an hour online with tech support who basically had me revert to factory install settings, then restart my modem. It worked. This morning when I turned the laptop back on, I have the same problem.

well heres an indication of two things it can be. or probably is

you say modem, but are you talking about a modem or a router?
a modem can only hold one IP address and will mosst often hold the lease for that ip address for up to a day, a router will take that IP address and allow several other computers connect to it (technically)

if it is a modem then you probably have too many computers trying to connect to it, if its a router probably not. although some routers have set restrictions that can only let so many computers connect at once - the Comcast Home Networking service does this.

try to pinpoint what the error is, and always do network diagnostics on a hardwire unless its a wireless issue.

first: try resetting to factory defaults again (assuming its still new and this isnt a bother, otherwise do this last) and see if it works, if not

second: try resetting the modem (the device that connects to the coaxial from outside if you're on cable)
then try resetting the router, assuming you have one - you might also have what is called a 'gateway' which is a router and a modem combined, if so, just unplug and replug.

does it work?

if not:

try disconnecting other devices from the router, reset, and try again.

you can also try connecting your laptop to someone elses network (to see if its a bugged port)

i could list possibilities all day long, but those are often the causes.

also some people are retarded and modify the intermediate settings, dont do that.