New pc with vista? I dont know anything about vista!

[henry]

Hi

Windows Vista Home Premium

Manufact:Dell ~Model: inspiron 530s

Processor: Intel core duo 1.82 GHz

Memory: 2gb sd

32 bit operating system

My question is about the internet? I have free internet where i live and it is through charter. Also keep in mind that I have Vonage which is between the modem and computer. I lease the modem from charter as well for 10. The internet on my new pc doesnt work. It worked just fine on my old one with no problems? So I called charter and asked them. They told me that i would have to get home networking and tryed to sell me something so I figured that they were not listening. They told me that I cant use the that modem on two computers without getting wireless networking (which i know cant be true?) That dont make no sence since they are changing our apartments network so that no one will need a modem. it will all run of the main modem for each (small) building. I can get on the internet sometimes.I am on it right now. but then this diolog comes up and tells me to connect to the internet and i push connect and it fails. In the sys tray arrea the icon for the internet says I am connected to local area connection. It is so confusing because it will work on and of? It will be trying to connect and i can navigate to a page but then it stops? I know that I can at least switch it so that i can have internet on here and not that old one and that would be fine untill we can afford a roughter. We can lease it from charter even. But for now i dont know if it has to do with the modem or my computer? Can anyone help me?