If you have XP, install this driver http
/h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-30227-1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&os=228&product=500513&sw_lang=
If it's not working after that, you have a hardware failure, it's an older laptop so very possible. You can get an add-on LAN card for not a lot of money. Something like this http
/www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=pcmcia+ethernet+network+card&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17813124560161264233&ei=EcVSTaieM4O0lQf0z-jcCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CJQBEPMCMAg#