weird internet

[3daysstraight]

Ok, yes I am a complete noob with linux, and all computers for that matter. I just installed fedora 9 on my laptop, i had fedora 8 on it before, and my internet worked fine. It is just a cable plugged into my router, and my desktop is also on the same router and it works fine (it is windows). When i start up my laptop with fedora, it says "connected to the wired network" and acts like it is going to work, then i start up firefox and it says "connecting to..whatever webiste" and it sits there forever and eventually it says it cannot find the server.

I know the cable is good because it is the same one i use for my xbox and it works fine, so i am assuming it is some configuration problem with the laptop.

Any ideas?

thanks alot
-Jake

[hyperspace]

If your router is handing out IP addresses via DHCP, then you may have a problem with DNS in Fedora. Have you run any commands to check the status of your network configuration?

[3daysstraight]

ok i was messing with it and now it doesnt even say its connected to the wired network. But the lights on the netgear card are still on.

Hyperspace- no i havn't.

[Zotter]

any basic info would help. Follow the 7 layer model, start at the bottom. Prove to yourself that each layer is working - until you find the one that isn't.

Swapped cables? Bad port on router? Connect lights? (connect lights may only mean 1 pair of the 4 is good)
Mac addys oK? IP addy? ARP cache correct? DHCP or Static?
Ping Router by IP (ping gateway address)
Resolve names? (DNS mis-configure?)
THEN try Firefox

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_Reference_Model

Follow the model from the foundation up - basic troubleshooting - eliminate what works, focus on what doesn't. Helps to have a map of what's supposed to work.