Hi, my sister got a new laptop (Advent 9115)
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/805721

with Wireless Lan b/g whatever that means, does this mean it should be able to connect to any wireless networls in range or does the laptop need an adapter? Does anything need to be installed?

As it is, it's not working and gives the error message (on Vista) "The network adapter "Local Area Connection" is not correctly configured to use the Ip protocol"

"The network adapter "Local Area Connection" is experiencing driver or hardware related ISSUES"

Then SOMETHING about making sure your IPC settings are correct and making sure Versions 4 and 6 TCP/IP are selected (they are).

Also there is an icon in the bottom left corner blacked out ""ralink wireless lan card" not exist" - not sure about that.

No, you don't need an adapter, that's what the Wireless LAN is.

b/g are the two WiFi Protocols, so yes, once it's configured and working, you'll be able to connect to wireless networks.

Sounds like the driver isn't installed correctly.  Have you got the latest VISTA driver?

I don't KNOW Vista, but in XP you can right click on a network connection (under CONTROL panel) and SELECT "Properties", and then (scroll down) to select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".  Then push the "Properties" Button.  Just make sure the circles for "obtain automatically" are checked.

Hopefully, it'll be very similar under Vista, but as I said, I'm not sure.

If your still having trouble, come back.