Dimension 2350, Verizon DSL cannot find Network Interface Card

Good Morning ... my name is Jennifer and I have been having a problem with my Dell Dimension 2350 since a little before Thanksgiving.  I have Verizon DSL - using an Ethernet Cable. 

 

The first problem came right after I installed the SP2 for Windows XP ... I also updated Roxio on the same day ... and burned some Sony CDs that have anit-piracy protection on them (I have since found out that it may cause some problems?) ... Anyway, I was getting a Drive_State_Power_Failure (it might not have been in that order) error and my system would no longer shut down.  At that time, the advice I received was to reinstall Windows XP Home Ed, but I could not find my cds to reinstall (I recently moved), so I put it off. 

 

Now for the second problem ... for Christmas, my husband bought me an iPod Video 30gb.  I attempted to install itunes and it wouldn't open ... after more than 24 hours of being on the apple forum and then finally calling someone and uninstalling and reinstalling itunes, ipod and quicktimes about 10 times ... they told me that I really had to install Windows XP Home Ed.  So, I searched and searched and finally came across the shoe box that had my reinstall cds.  So, I reinstalled Windows XP. 

 

I am finished reinstalling, but then tried to reinstall my Verizon DSL.  The installation cd keeps saying that they cannot establish a connection ... that I should use the USB cable????  When I have used the Ethernet Cable since April of 2004.  It says that it can't locate a Network Interface Card (NIC).  So, I installed America Online so I could do some research.  I read that I should install all Windows updates/service packs ... I did that on a 56 k connection ... took 12 hours total.  I thought that might fix the problem, but I am still getting the same error from the Verizon DSL installation cd.  I called Verizon ... they check everything out and said it was a Dell/Windows problem. 

 

I am now completely at a loss.  I have been attempting to do research for a possible quick fix ... but I don't know which way to go.  When I look in the Device Manager ... it does show Network Adapters, but they are all WAM?  Not Broadcam. 

 

So, I guess I have 4 questions ... do I need to do all / just one / or none?  Your help would be so greatly appreciated! 

 

1) Do I need to buy a PCI Ethernet Adapter?  It seems like the common sense answer would be no ... since I used the Verizon DSL without one for a year and a half ... but I thought it was worth the question.

 

2) Should I install the Intel Chipset Software Installation (R47822.exe)?  If yes, do I have to reinstall Windows XP Home again and then install the Chipset first before anything else?

 

3) Should I install the Broadcom 4401 Integrated NIC?  If yes, which one, or both?

Driver (R64624.exe) or Diagnostics Utility (R54580.exe)?

 

As you can tell, I have no clue what I am talking about a this point.  Please help!  Thank you,

 

Jen