I just came BACK from break and my mom bought a new ISP (Comcast) and had it setup to the family computer (windows xp). I tried to hook it up to my laptop (vista) but the connection goes to local connection only and doesn't put me on the internet.

I tried a few common things like unplugging the modem and shutting down the computer and starting everything up, no dice.

So then I tried Ipconfig/release and ipconfig/renew and was kinda surprised...

the ending message was:

No operation can be PERFORMED on WIRELESS Network Connection while it has its media disconnected.
*waits a while*
An error occured while renewing interface Local AREA Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

I'm unsure where to go from here, any insight?Is your laptop's wireless card on? Usually, it's Fn+F5, or you may have special button. Check your manual.
Like Broni suggests, look for a button along one of the sides on your laptop. It may or may not have a light on it but it's there.

Alan <><