My thinkpad won't connect to the internet either by cable or wireless??

You need the next three letters or numbers after 2628 - ___ Go here http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/default.page?selector=expand click on laptop and tablets click on thinkpad A series then A21m Then 2628 then the next three then your operating system then voila there you have all your drives and any update for your thinkpad Bookmark so you will always be able to fix what ever may be wrong.. Please rate!!!

This model Thinkpad does not have a built-in wireless card, you have to install an external wireless card.
SETTING UP A BROADBAND CONNECTION
First you need to decide what type of broadband and Internet service you require and these are -
1. DSL that uses your existing telephone line.
2. Cable that uses a cable service and can include a cable TV service.
3. A wireless 3G network uses the mobile/cell phone network and can be separate or combine with your cell phone account. This type of Internet connection uses an USB wireless device shaped like an USB memory stick.
Note - Combined services generally offer discount pricing and may include a modem/wireless router.

If you use a wireless router with the DSL or Cable Internet service then your laptop with a wireless card can then connect to the Internet. You can also connect to a free WiFi hot spots like McDonalds, Star Bucks, the Airport etc. using the wireless card in your laptop.
If you use the wireless 3G wireless broadband service, then you can access the Internet anywhere where your ISP has 3G wireless coverage. You need to check the service coverage area where you need Internet service.
Once you decide what type of broadband your require, then you need to check with the various Internet Service providers to see if they can offer and the cost of the various plans.
Note the download limits and the associated additional costs if you exceed the monthly download limits. Once you sign up with a Internet Service provider, their documentation will include setting up instructions and/or installation CD.

Limited connectivity
If you get a 'Limited connectivity" on you wirelessconnection on your laptop, it means that the wireless card on your laptopprobably did not get an IP address from the wireless router.
To fix this problem, right click on the wireless icon on the Task bar and thenclick Repair.
This will force the wireless router to issue a IP address to the wireless cardon the laptop.

To connect to the Internet you need a few extra things aswell as a network card.
1. You need to sign up with an Internet service provider.
2. Connect a LAN cable from your computer to the DSL or cable modem
3. You need a DSL or cable modem and connect and configure the modem to inaccordance with your Internet service provider's instructions.
4. Install Internet Explorer if it has not been done.
5. If everything has been done correctly, when you open Internet Explorer youcan access the Internet. If you have a wireless router and it is connected to the DSLor cable modem then -
To connect to yourwireless router, the router needs its wireless settings to be configuredwith the SSID, encryption key etc., also the wireless cards in all thelaptops/computers needs to be configured with these router's wireless settings.Then the laptops/desktop computers can communicate with your wireless router.

No ur laptop dose not have wifi on it but u can but a USB 2.0 Wireless Card Adapter to pick up wifi http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=160481340000&index=2&nav=SEARCH&nid=92439580435 Rate me if this is helpful to you

Some general guidelines to connecting to a wireless network..

Make sure you have at least 3 bars of signal

Make sure you know the password ( if there is one)
Try to connect to the network via ethernet cable to verify the wireless router is actually working..

If I recall there are two types of wireless cards that are installed in the T40 series of laptops. Can't advise you which one is installed in your laptop. Download both of them and install one, it it doesn't work then install the other one.

Go to the IBM/Lenovo WEB site - support/download page and download the latest Windows XP or Vista device drivers for your model laptop,
You need to use a computer that has Internet access to download and transfer the files to your computer.

http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/finders?pg=ddfinder&cm_re=other-_-suprcn-_-download

Once you get the wireless card operation, you need a wireless router that is connected to a cable or DSL modem which is connected to an Internet Service Provider.
You don't need a wireless router if you only want to connect to the Internet using wireless Hot Spots in public locations or Internet cafes.

I'm not sure I understand. Answer these questions and I'll be able to assist. Is the cable your referring to the ethernet cable or cable internet service? Do you have a wireless router with your internet service? If so, then is the ethernet cable attached and connected to the internet while attempting to connect wirelessly? List any other info you think may be pertinent to the problem, and I'll be able to help.

if you want to use wireless connection you have to have a wireless router, and you connect your internet cable into the router, so after you can have a wireless connection with your laptop and his wireless card, and you can work with your laptop everywhere in your house.
you can buy a wireless router in every computer shop.
last thing if you have a desktop PC you can connect a new internet cable to the wireless router (type RJ45)
I hope this helps
Please rate accordingly
Thank You
sserpentio

By cable connection, do you mean a LAN cable or a phone cable or something else? Let me know and will see what I can do to help.
R-