Connected to network but can't connect to internet through it

[wormophile]

    I have no idea what's going on!
   Recently i moved into a halls of residence with my laptop. Previously i had connected to the internet through a dialup connection, but now I'm in the halls i have to connect to the internet through the network. As soon as I plug the ethernet cable in and then click internet explorer, it should direct me to the cablecom website where i should sign up for their service. I'm connected to the network and i can see all the other computers in the halls, but i cannot gain internet access through it. What I need to know is how to allow my computer to connect to the internet via the network and not via dialup. Please help me I've been trying for like a week to figure this out!
 Thank you very very much!

[jimyan]

Do your network have router intalled in it? In other word, do other computers in the network can directly connect to the internet? If so, try copying their gateway and dns. If still not able to connect, try an IPadd (be ware not to conflict others IP) close to theirs. Again if not, try contacting your system administrator for some firewall setting if there is.

[ale52]

Contact your schools IT department and explain your problem to them.  Could be you have to "jump thru some hoops" to get it set up right. 

Alan <><