I have no problem connecting to the internet on my laptop through a wireless
connection but when I try to use any manual connection I get nowhere.  I am
able to "ping" the modem and the connection status reads "connected" but I
have a "page cannot be displayed" on my browser screen.  Further, only one of
the lights at the connection point of the cable is on.  Please help.

Hi
Not sure what Manual Connection means?
In any case, any Windows Ethernet connection can be checked this way.
Step One. Check the Network parameters in the Computer's Device Manager.
Make sure that the Network Card drivers are installed correctly; I.e. there
is No IRQ conflict, and No Ghost installation:
http://www.ezlan.net/faq#ghost
Step Two. Verify Basic network setting in the OS:
http://www.ezlan.net/Installing#verify
If the above two Steps indicates that every thing looks good but
functionally it does not work.
Step Three. Check (and repair if necessary) the Socket Layers, Winsock, and
or refresh the TCP/IP Stack. http://www.ezlan.net/clean#refreshnet
http://www.ezlan.net/clean
Jack (MVP-Networking).

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