Internet Connection Problem, Vista - SOLVED

I am having a problem connecting to the internet. I understand that is a loaded sentence but I will try to be as detailed as possible and hopefully someone will add to this thread either with a similar problem or a solution.... Where to start? What is happening: my laptop (INSPIRON 1501, Vista Home Basic upgrade from XP) will detect and connect to wireless and LAN networks, the only problem is that it will not connect to the internet. When you open the Network and Sharing Center and look at the diagram, it has a picture of: My Computer--------Unidentified network----X----Internet The bar between "My computer" and "Unidentified network" is green, indicating connection. The bar between "Unidentified network" and "Internet" is red and has an X on it. In the past, it would connect and take a few seconds to identify the network and all was connected. Now it is not working. I have tried every possible prompt from Vista to fix the problem with nothing working: (renewing IP, etc.). I thought it was only a problem with the wireless card but when I hooked it into a LAN, it still did not work. It is also important to note three things: 1.) Windows Firewall is off and I have tried every step with it both on and off. Still nothing. 2.) Thinking it would help matters, I recently installed a new driver for my wireless card provided by Gina with Dell (R151522) with no luck. 3.) The last time I was able to connect to the internet, something happened. I connected to an unsecured wireless network and upon connecting, my McAfee Virus protection blocked up to 3 Trojans from getting onto my computer. Hopefully it blocked them all.... I have done two virus scans since then and on the first scan it detected and removed 14 items (which is typical of a weekly scan). The second one, nothing was detected to remove. I say this because since this incident, I have not been able to connect to the internet, so maybe it is related. If anyone needs any more details that I have left off, let me know via adding to this thread. Since I cannot access the internet it may take me a couple of days to check the status of this thread.

Message Edited by robcas456 on 04-28-2007 03:31 AM