VPN not working from home! Help?!

I have a fab new laptop given to me by work... all set up with VPN to log in from "anywhere"...
Yah, right.

I just tried, and no dice.  Doesn't even seem like it's trying.  Within an instant of hitting 'connect', it immediately says it can't.  And of course 'troubleshooting' completely useless, as all it tells me to do is speak to my network administrator, who um, I'm presuming is off today, and back in the office tomorrow morning, when I'm supposed to be working from home.

Any ideas?
I have ethernet/cable (not modem through phone line)... and on my own laptop, it's totally fine.

Hey E, my geeky husband will try to help...

Two questions, what operating system are you using and what broadband provider?

Many thanks

Virgin media... windows.

same exact as I had on my old windows computer with no problems - so I'm fairly sure there's a step being missed and I just don't know what it is!

(need to step out for awhile, but will check back asap - MUCH appreciated!)

 

Are you in an ex-telewest area?

If I remember right you have to register the MAC Address of the computer to allow it to access broadband... You may need to give them a call.

(sorry I didn't send this sooner, we were watching a movie and I forgot!)

Not that I'm aware of.
I used to have NTL, which was taken over by Virgin... but, I never noticed any difference in my service, and even when I changed computers, had no problem at all.
The work laptop doesn't even acknowledge there's an ethernet plugged into it.

Is the ethernet connection enabled (in windows) on the PC?

If so... try turning everything off (including the modem) and then turn it back on... modem first - then PC.

If that fails and it's working when connected to your other PC you should probably give Virgin Media a call - as somone will need to talk you thru the various troubleshooting steps.

It is enabled; I've logged on from other places before with no issue.  Will try disconnecting everything and see what happens.
Thank you for the suggestions!

Got it working, thank you very much!
I did end up calling, but his talking me through it plus your suggestions helped it all make sense, so when they start charging (apparently after 1 July  ), I won't have to call if it happens again. (needed to re-confirm the IP address, and apparently by unplugging it all and plugging it back in again did the trick!)

In any case, I appreciate your (and your geeky husband taking the time to help )

Yay!  Glad to hear you got it working!!