I have replaced my old XP desktop with new new Dell XPS One with Vista. The old desktop was connected to my router (WRTP54G - Firmware Version: 5.01.04) via Ethernet cable and was working like a charm. The new one don't want to recognize this connection - it's seeing it as 'unidentified network' with 'Access: Local only'. The wireless connection to the same desktop is working, but I still don't understand why I can't have it connected via the cable. My XP laptop still doesn't have any problems with this Ethernet connection to the router - it recognizes it immediately as Lan connection and connects to the Internet.

I suspect that there is a problem with the WRTP54G in the Vista environment, because the Ethernet connection started working immediately after I had bypassed the router and had connected the desktop directly to the cable modem.

Any help to address this issue will be greatly appreciated.

The router has nothing to do with the Operating System...On the Vista desktop computer try to reduce the Card(NIC) speed... Click on the Start button >>> Control Panel >> Network and Sharing center >>Left hand side under task Click on manage wireless network >> Right click on the ""Local Area Connection"" icon and select properties-Here click on the "Configure" button- Click on the "Advanced" tab- In the "Property" box highlight Link speed and duplex/Connection type/Network or Media type- And in the "Value" box select 10 Mbps half duplex/ 10 base T/10 base half mode and click on OK..

Now,restart the computer and then try to go online...

On your Computer when you are getting "Unidentified Network" have you checked the IP address? When your Computer is Hardwired to the router on your Computer Click on Start - Search - CMD and click Ok... in the Command prompt window type "ipconfig" and hit enter and check the IP address.

If required you can try to setup a Static IP to your Computer.  Click on the Start button >>> Control Panel >>>Network and Sharing Center - Under Task click on "Manage Network Connection" -  Right click on the icon for Local area connection and go to properties- On the 'General' tab select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP/IPv4 ' and click on the Properties button- Select 'Use the following IP address'- Provide IP Address - 192.168.1.5, Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0, Default Gateway - 192.168.1.1- Preferred DNS 192.168.1.1, Alternate DNS - 4.2.2.2 >>Click on Ok button to Save and Click on "Close" on main Properties window.

Now check if you are Online.

Thank you. I did everything you have recomended. Still the same. IPCONFIG is giving the following:

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State...................................:   Media disconected

Connection - specific DNS Suffix......:

Wireless Lan adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection - specific DNS Suffix.....:  

Link-local IPv6 Address..................:   fe80::304e:60f2:e517:b661%12

IPv4 Address.................................:   192.168.15.107 

Subnet Mask.................................:   255.255.255.0

Default Gateway............................:   192.168.1.1 

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection - specific DNS Suffix.....:  

Link-local IPv6 Address..................:   fe80::1891:f290:c193:11ab%11

IPv4 Address................................:   192.168.1.5 

Subnet Mask................................:   255.255.255.0

Default Gateway............................:   192.168.1.1

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 6: 

Media State...................................:   Media disconnected

Connection - specific DNS Suffix......:

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 7: 

Media State...................................:   Media disconnected

Connection - specific DNS Suffix......:

 

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 14: 

Media State...................................:   Media disconnected

Connection - specific DNS Suffix......:

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15: 

Media State...................................:   Media disconnected

Connection - specific DNS Suffix......:

Your computer is blocking your internet as it is set to public.  It is one of Vista's safety feature.   Use public when you are connected to a hot spot and private when connected to your home network.

Go to Network and Sharing Center and change the settings from public to private.  Turn on Network discovery and file sharing.

Greetings from Northern Ontario, Canada

It worked! Thank you very much for your help...