Why wont it work ?

[sprayer]

As I have said before when it comes to computers I am clueless, I am running win.XP and am connected to the internet via Virgin media, my friend has just called with her laptop which is also running XP but her service provider is Sky via BT, she has just plugged in my connection cable but it will not connect to the net, why is this, if this is because we have different ISPs then how is it that in hotels or airports etc you can connect to the net though wifi without any problems, in other words what do I need to do to connect her computer to the net via my phone line ? I hope I have explained this question right...

[VHG]

It works with wi fi because when you connect it is a new connection so it sets it up OK.

But you are confusing your modem becuase when you unplug the cable from your computer it still "held" the network connection.

When you then plugged it into HER computer the modem still though ti was talking to YOUR computer.

The quickest and easiest way to get round this is to power down your modem and her laptop for a few minutes, then turn on the modem, then turn on her laptop.

That may work.

If not the other option is to go into the networking of XP on her laptop and disable the network, then enable it again.

A BETTER solution in the long run is to get yourself a wireless router.

Then you can leave your PC plugged in, AND your friend can also connect to the router via wi fi, and you can BOTH use the interent at the same time.

[VHG]

Another thing I just thought of.

Does your friend connect to her ISP using wi fi?

If so when she plugs your network cable in to her laptop she needs to turn wi fi OFF and make sure her laptop is trying to access the network via the cable and not wi fi.

She may need to turn wi fi off, then power off her laptop and power it back on again (making sure wi fi is stil off).

Then when it starts up it should look for a network via the cable.

[sprayer]

Thanks for your brilliant and easy to understand answers VHG, originally I did have a wireless router (a Belkin model)
but it was forever cutting out for some unknown reason and then last week it actually caught fire when I turned it on so that is why I am using the cable connection, however I have now ordered a new one so will see if that puts things right...