Networking :: Trouble connecting to network via DHCP

I am using DSL on my older laptop, and it works great. I have had no trouble connecting to wireless or hard wired internet at home, or at friends house.

This inquiry deals with a hard wired ethernet connection.

When I go to the University the laptop won't connect to the internet. They only provide tech support for windows, but the IT people said (for a windows computer) it should automatically connect via dhcp with no problems.

The dhcp configuration (via dsl pannel) works great for every other network I have been on. However, for this network it just returns an error, after waiting for about 10-15 seconds. I have tested multiple ethernet cables and jacks, but get the same result.

Anyone have any ideas?

If you don't mind me suggesting two obvious ones: are you quite sure you are giving the right network name to the University network and are you ok with encryption?

Perhaps the University is using a proxy server?
Maybe this will be helpful.

I'm not well versed in networking, so bear with me

In responce to jeanspv, I am not specifying ANY network name. Would I need to?

The network is not encrypted. I have friends with mac/windows computers, and they simply plug in and go. No setup or login required.

Which version of DSL?

Is it running from a live-cd or installed to a hd?

Did you try the same jack and cable that worked with one of your friends computers?

Try running:

sudo ifconfig -a

to see the network settings before and after netcardconfig

What error message did it return?

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