Hi Cass, first up make sure you have turned the CP540 Ethernet on; F > Parameters > Ethernet > ON
If you are not using a router then you will need a static IP address on the laptop.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto...-vista-or-windows-7/
CP540 default IP address: 192.168.1.50
recommended PC IP address: 192.168.1.51
Let us know how you go.
Regards