Okay, So I've just reinstalled WinXP Home Edition on two laptops....
My problem is that when I try to connect either of them with a cat5 cable to my HOST computer's router via the ports in the back, neither of the laptops detect an incoming connection? why is this...ive NEVER had a problem like this....any ideas?

*Also, When I go into "Device Manager" on both laptops...the tab "Other Devices" has a yellow question mark on it along with question marks with every single device under that tab.....this has never happened to me.

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In the Device Manager, delete each device that has a question mark on it.
Then, reboot.

Rebooting will cause Windows to reinstall the devices in their correct location.

After rebooting, check the Device Manager again.
If the question marks are still there, attach a copy of the Device Manager window to your reply so I can see which devices are causing the problem.

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Klaatu Barada Nikto

well i cant attach anything because it wont connect to the internet at all....either of them
but i can tell you which ones they are....*same problem by the way*

Other Devices:
Ethernet Controller
Mass Storage Controller
Multimedia Audio Controller
Network Controller
PCI Modem
PCI Simple Communications Controller
Unknown device
Video Controller
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

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Have you deleted the devices and rebooted?

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Klaatu Barada Nikto

yeah, but once i was back on startup, it detected all of them but couldnt install them correctly.It needed an internet connection for updates but none the less they should of installed basic right?

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Are you sure that all of the router ports are good?
Can you connect your host computer to each router port in turn verifying that the port is good.

Did the laptops work OK before you installed XP?
Did you reformat the C drive before your reinstalled XP?

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Klaatu Barada Nikto

yeah all ports are good.
one of the laptops was virus infected with lots of malware.....the second laptop was just locked. couldnt do anything with it..

for both computers i did the first reformat option on the setup cd...not the (quick) format.
everything was deleted and i reformatted on both computers

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I assume your laptops are network configured the same way your Host computer is?

Try this...
Place the XP Windows Install CD in the CD drive.
Go to the Accessories...Command Prompt
enter: sfc /scannow
There is a space between "c" and "/".
This could take from minutes to hours to run.

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Klaatu Barada Nikto

Ill try that right now....by the way..what does that mean? Network Configured?

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Read this link for Network setup directions ... Windows XP Network Setup Wizard | Network Configuration

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