Can't access internet

I've been trying to access the internet on my HP laptop by connecting the ethernet cable from my modem to my laptop. I can access the internet from my desktop with the same ethernet cable and modem, just not the laptop. The network connection says that it is "acquiring network address." When you check the status of the connection, you will see the IP address flash from all zeros, to actual numbers, and then back to zeros. I called my internet provider and went through the steps of rebooting the laptop and the modem at the same time, rebooting just the modem, and rebooting just the laptop. I was finally able to access the internet for about ten seconds before the IP address flashed back to all zeros. The connection read "acquiring network address." The customer service rep from my internet provider thought that the ethernet cable could be damaged. However, I am able to access the internet without problems with the same ethernet cable connected to my desktop. Does anyone have any other suggestions on what the problem could be?

 

You need to contact your ISP and give them the MAC address of the NIC on your laptop. They need to know the MAC addresses for both computers. Or, if you want both connected at the same time, you need to purchase a router.

 

You'd be best served by getting a router; otherwise you'll be constantly having to reset settings each time you want to change the computer with access to the internet, or else you'll have to set up ICS (internet connection sharing) which is sort of a poor-man's version of a proper router.

 

Some modems have the ability to clone/change the MAC address.
This can fool your ISP into thinking your desktop is connected to the router when it's not.
You can set the desktop MAC address in the modem of your desktop or what ever device you used to register with your ISP.

ISP's that do this are very archaic, and not very user friendly.