Laptop wont connect to internet

[SammySosa]

I have a Compaq laptop and I'm using a ethernet card to connect to the internet but it's not connecting. The computer identifies the network card the card and it seems to be working, I connect the ethernet cable that provides the internet connection but nothing happens when I try to connect to the internet. I try to repair the connection but it doesn't work. There is just no information being received by the laptop through the cable. How can i make the internet connection work?

Thanks

[Robert M]

Do you know what a crossover cable is and what it's used for?
Be sure you are not using a "crossover cable" when connecting to a network hub...it won't work.

Are you on a wireless network?

Need some more information. Is the Compaq laptop in a docking station now or was it ever in a docking station? What do you mean you tried to "repair the connection"?

Have you configured a proxy web browser?

Is there a modem installed?
Do you have a combination network card and modem?

[SammySosa]

I know what a crossover cable and this is not one. This is the same one that I use to connect my desktop to the router. I'm on a wireless network but the cable is connected directly to the router I also tried connecting directly to the modem. The laptop has not been connected to a docking station.
What i mean by reapair is chen I right click on the local area connection icon I chosed the option that says "repair"

I see that the laptop has the where you plug the phone line and also the ethernet cable next to each other. They person who previously owned this laptop seemed not to use that ethernet port, instead he bought a Xircom Credit Card Ethernet 10/100 with an adapter to plug the ethernet cable that has a green dot that never lights.
I tried pugging the ethernet cable directly to the jack that came with the computer but nothing happens. Maybe that's why the previous owner purchcased that ethernet card in the first place.

The laptop is running windows xp and i think it's an upgrade installation. (I don't know if this really matters)
Thanks for the help

[Tuttle]

If the green LED on the adapter cable isn't lighting up, something is wrong with the card or the connection. Check the physical connectivity again, and try reinstalling the drivers for the Xircom card.

[104456]

You might also check that its enabled in the bios.
If you do Start/Run CMD and in the DOS window type IPCONFIG /ALL [space between G and /] what does it say about the lan connection?