Driver error on WAN Miniport (IP)

Inspiron 600m; XP

On the device manager, under Network adapters, beside the Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection, I find a WAN Miniport (IP) - Packet Scheduler Miniport with an error icon.

When I open the properties for this device it says "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31).  Click Troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter for this device."

I have not tried to uninstall the device as of yet.

I typically connect to the internet using a LAN cable (wireless connection has been problematic since i bought the computer in may cf: http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_network&message.id=17775 ) but today it did not work. The system tray icon clearly believed itself to be connected to my LAN (at least, it told me it was connected) but i could not access teh internet or anyother online resource. i assume this is related to the driver problems.

I am not in the states at the moment, i cannot access the internet (nor, obviously, the relevant driver/software updates)  and i really need to be able to get online with this computer (web cafes are expensive!!)

How can i fix this?

thanks,

cate