I will tell you as much as I know. It is not my computer that is having the problems so I don't have all of the details. My brother-in-law can not connect to the internet. I have checked the cable modem and network card in the computer properties and both seem to be working fine. All of the lights on the cable modem are blinking the way they should be. I have run a virus check but the one on his computer was out of date. I am going to bring a more up to date program along with spybot to take off the tons of spyware that is all over his computer. I know I haven't given you much, but could you just offer ideas as to what could cause the internet (cable)to go out. A cable rep came out and checked everything and said that he thinks the problem is the hard drive. I don't know why because all of the programs on the hard drive are operating and I was able to load stuff on and take stuff off. Once again any ideas as to what would cause the internet to shut down. Thanks JMyth

Have him re-initiate the modem by powering it down for 60 seconds and then back on. Even though the lights are on on the modem it may not be activated.

Silly thing could be the patch cable from the cable modem to the NIC could be defective or not seated properly. Another thing to try if the above doesn't solve the problem is: Go to Internet Explorer> Tools> Internet options> Connections> Setup> Follow the prompts.

Only other thing I can think or is to release and re-initiate his IP address. To do this GO TO: Start> Run> type winipcfg> Release all> Renew all> OK To info in there should reflect the NIC that is installed in the computer. I believe the other info in there varies with your location. Don't worry about it. I don't think there is anything wrong with his HD.

Contact his internet supplier for ip addresses

well, I cleaned off a ton of junk off of the computer, but it didn't work. The computer hangs for some reason when you type winipcfg. Already tried the powering down and calling the cable company to reset the modem. They are getting a clear signal from the modem but not the computer. Cable lady had me try most of what you have suggested and going into the command prompt. then ipconfig which did show an IP address. She felt it had to be a software conflict or the ethernet card is not working. I don't see any software that would conflict and in the Device Pofile it shows the ethernetcard working. Well, I decided to try the ethenet card on my computer. I ripped it out brought it home and brought the dang wrong driver disc. So I had to put my card back in then download the driver and after a pain in the butt time getting the driver to work..... It showed the card working fine in the device profile, but I could not log onto the internet. So I think that means (HOPE that means) that it is the ethernet card. I am going to bring mine over to his house and see if I can get his internet working with my card to verify that his is DEAD. Fingers Crossed JMyth