thank you...this really is a full service PC clinic....lol

Optimist, when you have a moment:

Device manager shows IEEE 1394 Bus host controllers/
Texas instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host controller.

Alternatively, I could get hold of a wireless PCMIA card. I've got one somewhere.

SC

You may have to use your wireless card but I'm surprised that the laptop has an IEEE 1394 connection and not an ethernet one. Is there an RJ45 socket (the same as the sockets on your router) on the back? The 1394 socket is slightly larger and rounded at one end.

If the ethernet connection exists, it is possible that you have to enable it in the BIOS.

I can connect my laptop to my router with a normal network cable (ie RJ45). Just doesn\'t work! The 1394 socket is tiny - ie like a small mini usb socket. How do I get into the bios again. F? on bootup.

In bIOS now, what am I looking for?

SC

Sorry the 1384 connectors come in two sizes - you have the small one.

In the BIOS, look in Integrated peripherals or similar and see if there is an option to enable the on board ethernet. Depending on your BIOS, you should also check advanced features. It's also possible that there is a switch somewhere on the case that enables it. Once it is enabled, it should appear in device manager and if it's installed properly you will (should) have a network connection.

Off down the pub now so I'll check back in the morning.

Enjoy your evening - you deserve it :-)

Edit, think I've found a jumper switch alonside it. Ha!

Edit 2 - Nope, it's just a tiny piece of green plastic. Found this on Dell's website & it may explain:

RE: no network link lights on the inspiron 8000

All I8K's come with the network socket. However, the network hardware inside is an option.

I think it's time to find that wireless card.

SC

If that is the case, then onboard ethernet is not availible.

You should consider whether it is worth getting a PCMIA - Ethernet card. Much more reliable.

Well, I\'ve now got my 3COM PCMIA wireless card in, software installed, rebooted, and the link light keeps flashing but can\'t get any connection to my wireless router.

SC

Does the card show as working normally in device manager. If it does, then you should be able to right click on the wireless network connection in Network Properties and configure the connecton. You should then be able to search for Wireless Connections. It could be that your card uses it's own program to configure the network in which case, you will have to run that.

Yes, working OK in device manager. Where do I find Network Properties?

SC

Right click on Network and select properties.

IE7 Freezing on Vista

Several weeks ago, there was some discussion on this thread about IE7 freezing on Windows Vista. Since then I have occasionally spent time trying to track it down and now have a theory as to what is happening, a couple of suspects and a workaround.

The problem is that sometimes when a page is loaded or refreshed in IE7 running on Vista, the page completely freezes and stops responding. It's normally possible to change tabs, but the only thing you can do with the frozen one is force IE7 to close using Task Manager. So far as I know, this does not effect Firefox or IE7 running on Win XP.

The problem is clearly caused when loading a page and because it is intermittent the suspicion must be on adverts. It could be that this is caused by a DNS or connection problem with several different sites in the same advert confusing IE7, but my current theory is that the some adverts are trying to download and/or execute files with forbidden extensions and this is being picked up by the enhanced security in Vista.

In a short time, I have logged a website embedded in an advert mistakenly intercepted by my content filter as a .com file (from Deutche Bank I think this was a normal advert.), a .zip file (possible from Deutche Bank) and a .vb file ( from Reuters this was a script connected with ShockwaveFlash). I'm sure that there are many more examples and it is perhaps unfair to highlight these two companies but my understanding is that Vista would try to block these files and similar ones could be causing the freezing. Unfortunately, if I try to load the suspect URL's with in a browser they do not cause a problem on there own (although the zip file asked whether to download or open) so I can't be sure that this is the cause.

The solution that I have found to work is to enable the transparent proxy server on my firewall and the freezing problem has stopped. I can't see any reason why this should fix either of the causes that I suggested above, especially as the amount of data cached is minimal but it does. It is possible that Microsoft magically fixed things, but when I ran without the proxy sever for a day I had some problems.

I guess that most people will not be able to try this solution as many cheaper routers do not have a proxy server, but if your ISP has a proxy server, it may be worth configuring your system to use it and see what happens.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who is still experiencing this problem and from anyone who can comment on my supposed causes and solution.

Optimist, thanks for all your help to date. I am now at the point where I think there's something fundamentally incorrect in my system setup for the W2K laptop. Really busy over the rest of this week - days and evenings - and the laptop is needed very soon so I'm having a chap I trust look at this. He'll probably fix it in an hour!

Incidentally, your post above comes through with apostrophes as white question marks inside a black diamond. Is this my language for Firefox as it seems to only be happening since Firefox was upgraded?

Edit - but my apostrophes in this post are showing normally!

The Publisher,
My HP laptop has quit working for no reason on 3 occasions - just shuts down in the blink of an eye but then reboots fine as if nothing has happened. Very strange but I'm taking it as an omen and looking for a replacement. I remembered your post about laptops direct. I take it your asus is some own brand? Are you still an enthusiast of the supplier and the product?
TIA

SC

I've just looked at it in Firefox and it seems OK although I'm only on 2.0.0.7

That post was not for Firefox users anyway ;-)

Well out of date Optimist. I'm on 2.0.0.9 :-)

And I didn't understand your post anyway!

:-)

Kernow,

I bought my Asus because I was planning to buy a Thinkpad and someone told me that they were made by Asus - the same machine being about a third less. I did some Googling and came to the conclusion was that although Asus was a relatively unknown brand they were supplying lots of the machines going out with badges like IBN and Fujitsu.

I have been very happy with mine.

I bought mine from these boys

http://www.asuslaptop.co.uk/

They are only about 15 minutes from where I live, but at the time were also the most competitive. I bought a Samsung Q1 Ultra from them last week - not quite the best price I could find, but again I liked the idea of buying from someone I can shout at if the machine goes caput.

Come back if I can be any more help.

TP

TP
tyvm. Impressive credentials and prices seem good. Like you I'd prefer to buy locally but in Cornwall.....
Still thinking.

Optimist, laptop sorted, problem was
a) I hadn't installed software quite right
b) W2K SP2,3,4 needed before it would recognise the wireless networking option, for which an internet connection was needed, which was what I was trying to achieve...

Anyway, all now sorted, and once again, thanks for everything you've helped with.

TP & Kernow, I'm looking for a new laptop now as Father-in-law's has gone on the blink - screen has gone - so will have a look at the Asus site you mention.

SC

Glad you got it sorted OK.