As related elsewhere, this Machead has bought a PC laptop.

It's an Advent 5712, running Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, and we've been trying all afternoon to connect it to our ADSL.

I have two connections available, one ethernet via a 10/100 switch to the ADSL modem, the other a wireless connection to the same.

Windows knows there's a wireless network, but doesn't accept the password. It asks instead for a pass phrase, which has flummoxed me because we don't have one. The wired connection just fails at every attempt. I've found almost everywhere in the network settings to apply the IP address, subnet mask, router IP address, DNS servers, etc. But it just fails to connect to anything. I've been round the houses about four times now, each time via a slightly different back alley, but I've not got it to connect.

So, in words of single syllables please, step by step, connect me to the internet.

*EDIT* Just after I clicked submit, the bloomin' thing connected. I have no idea which random set of clicks activated it. I'd still like a step-by-step of setting things up, though.

first check the windows firewall is not blocking the connection
do you have other security suites preloaded on the system ?

i can always advice how to 'hackintosh' it …

That's very tempting, but would defeat the object. We wanted the machine for Best Beloved to use, and for me to break web sites with.

I'm not sure what I changed, but suddenly it started working. I've downloaded a couple of sensible browsers, and getting all the latest Windows updates.

I'd just like a step-by-step list of which places to look to handle these settings. Like I said, you can arrive back at the same place from about five different routes, and not actually get anywhere. I don't know what particular combination of IP settings made it actually work in the end!

normally you just enter the wireless password (pass phrase, whatever it asks for) and it "just works".
PC's don't generally like ' and @ in the passwords though.

Create a shortcut on your desktop to "C:\Windows\System32\ncpa.cpl" for easy network management.

have a look at this its a trouble shoot howto from MS …
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Window ... 81033.mspx

also with the wireless password/phrase vista likes it all entered in CAPITALS …

Okay, but why didn't it accept my password? We've never set a passphrase. The password is 6 characters, alpha and numeric. It's served for all the wirelessly enabled Macs, but Vista didn't like it. *shrug*

All capitals, Steve? I'll try that later. Thanks.

Mind you, the box will spend 99% of its life on a desk, so ethernet seems the best option right now.

the password/phrase is within the modem/router wireless setup (WPA key)
you will need that key and enter it within the windows setup to establish a connection …

It might also be worth turning UAC off (it's very annoying)

Hmm. There's nothing I can see about WPA keys, and while it's working I'm loath to break it.

I'll work on it. I think the base station is in need of a firmware update anyway.

Cheers guys.

If you are using a normal router, you should just need to plug the cable in. Windows will automatically retrieve the IP Address and DNS entries from the router. You shouldn't need to enter anything into the networking box, just leave it on the automatic settings (DHCP, automatic or whatever they call it - I've been using German Windows for nearly a decade, so I can't remember the English wording).

As for the wireless.

If the 6 character password the one you use to log onto the administration pages of the router, or the one you use to connect wirelessly?

The way you are describing it sounds ambiguous and if there is no WPA password / pass phrase set, then it sounds like the admin password of the router. That sounds like the router might be running without any encryption (so anybody can access the router). On the Apple's, do you need to enter this password/pass phrase in the wi-fi configuration?

What settings do you use on the Mac? Which level of security? Have you selected the same level of security on the Windows machine?