I have an Acer Aspire 3680-2682 computer using Microsoft Windows XP home edition and am unable to connect to the internet using an ethernet cable. Looking under the Network conections, Connection Manager There is no Wireless connection or Local AREA Connection. The only Icon there is MSN that says uniavailable-device missing,F... How WOULD I go about getting a Local Area Connection so that the Acer Aspire 3680-2682 can go online with an Ethernet cable? I say, you should check your connections first.
Without Router: dsl->modem->ethernet cable->computer
With Router: dsl->modem->ethernet cable->router->internet cable->computer
Please correct me if I am wrong.
You should also try restarting your modem and then your computer.My connection is good as I can get online with my Compaq laptop but I do not understabnd how to restart my modem.  Under the Device Manager tab There are alot of ! marks for Ethernet Controller, Mass Storage Controller, PCI Device, SM Bus Controller Video Controller and Video controller (VGA Compatible). To be honest I dont know what all these are. Please help this is frustating. ThanksIve had a similar problem with my sisters computer. There was no sound icon nor any Local area connection icon.
By  tweaking with services.msc i fixed it, tho I had to chose between sound and internet, couldn't use them simultaniously so in the END had to restore to a earlier point. The problem was with the power service(was disabled) among the other required services for internet.
This was not on a laptop nor was it acer but its a hint...

I would help more but im on a slow connection and cant google what services it is that you need to set to "automatic" on start up, but maybe someone else can help. QUOTE from: Cliffhangr on DECEMBER 01, 2011, 10:19:31 PM

My connection is good as I can get online with my Compaq laptop but I do not understabnd how to restart my modem.  Under the Device Manager tab There are alot of ! marks for Ethernet Controller, Mass Storage Controller, PCI Device, SM Bus Controller Video Controller and Video controller (VGA Compatible). To be honest I dont know what all these are. Please help this is frustating. Thanks