I just setup 2 new Vista systems. One is working fine the other will not connect to the net.
If I open Network Connections it tells me I have a "Local Only" connection. the other system says "Internet and Local" and this one has no problem connecting. I have tried uninstalling the nic card but same result.

On the one that is not working, open a command prompt, and run the following:

ipconfig /all >ipconfig.txt

Post back that text file for us to review.

"Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

Checked that already, it's not picking up an address from the isp (66.183.xxx.xxx)
It just has the standard 169.xxx. and not showing "Media Disconnected"
So the NIC knows that the cable is pluged in

Back up a second. Does your ISP allow for you to have multiple public IP addresses?

My other question: Why are you not protecting your machines with a NAT device?

"Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"

IP coming from ISP, into computer (I elimanated the router, and the Mac address dose not need to be registered) I should get a 66.183.xxx.xxx from my ISP. I don't, I get a 169.xxx.xxx.xxx that should mean that the NIC knows it is pluged in.

With the new Vista interface, when I look into the network connections I see that it only gives a "Local Only" access. The other system gives a "Internet and Local".
Have a look at yours and you will see.

"With the new Vista interface, when I look into the network connections I see that it only gives a "Local Only" access. The other system gives a "Internet and Local"."

That is simply reflecting the absence of a default gateway. This does not provide any additional information than seeing you're an IP address via APIPA. IE, it is not a part of the problem. It is simply telling you in a more intelligible fashion you have no internet connection.

When you switched out the connection to the cable/dsl modem or whatever, did you turn off that device off for one minute, and then turn it on? You may also then need to turn off the newly connected computer, wait a minute, and turn it back on.

"Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off & applause to rogues & evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!"