Internet Connection Issues

I am working on a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop to try to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. It has a wireless card installed, but every time I try to connect I see a message that says 'acquiring network address." I also tried unplugging my desktop ethernet cord and trying to connect my laptop there, but I get a message about the IP address conflicting. What else should I try? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would try reset..................
Click Start, type cmd, right click 'run as administrator', click Ok.
Once you are incommand prompt, first type “ipconfig /flushdns”.-Press enter
Next, type “ipconfig /release”.-Press enter
Then, type “i pconfig /renew”.-press enter
When finished Type in EXIT, and the command prompt will close

 

Baklogic, unfortunately it didn't help. Plodr, I will try that. I wasn't sure if Windows 7 was supported on my laptop- one of the reasons I needed internet was to answer that question. Is there also a possibility that there could be something wrong with the network card? I haven't even used this device in a few years- I just came across it recently and decided to see if I could get it to work. Thank you both for your help!!

 

As long as it is x86 (32 bit) and not 64 bit, the Vista drivers should work, even if tried in compatibility mode.
If W7 installed O.K, then I would suggest it is either the driver (compatibility- -that is why I suggested compatibility mode, or the wireless card may need replacing.
In my tinkering, I have almost always found that pc/laptop that will run Vista will run W7, as W7 is far less demanding.

 

Looking around, I have seen that the dell 1500 is capable , and most Vista drivers(32 bit) will work for Windows 7

There was an update for Bios that improves compatibility with Dell Wireless 1390 & 1490 Dell WLAN.
2. Fixed: System Hangs on Resume from S3 with Driver Verifier enabled.
3. Added enhancement for optical drives.
https://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=R184570

This file format consists of a BIOS executable file. The Universal (Windows/MS DOS) format can be used to install from any Windows or MS DOS environment.