One of two PCs on my network died and to get it back, I had to load XP Pro (it was the boot disk). Works great except it won't access the internet (ethernet to router to cable DSL). The network connection appears there, but the other PC on the network doesn't. Also, the other PC can't see the celeron. I pinged the router - no IP - no nothing

Has the other pc got xp on it? If it has run the network wizard to create the disk and then run the disk in the other machine. You havn't said why it died, was it power related in which case did it take out the network card? Try a different card. Make sure the ip address is within the same range as the other machine and also make sure the subnet is the same for both pc's, set the gateway to the ip address of your router. Make sure both pc's are in the same workgroup. The fact that you can't ping the router might be because your machine isn't in the same subnet as the router perhaps? Let me know how you get on.

Other system has regular XP. The system died because my duaghter deleted a file that had a virus instead of repairing it, or even telling me. Network wizard and disk ... not sure what you mean. Complete imbicile, but can be taught ...

when I look at the XP machine that works, it shows two connections: '1394 connection' net adaptor and 'network' realtek ethernet. the machine that doesn't get the internet only shows the realtek only as 'local area connection'

The 1394 connection is Firewire this can be used as a network card also. Go to My Network places and at the right hand side you will see various options if you don't see these then they should be in the middle of the screen, there is an option to set up a home or office network. This is a wizard that creates the disk that i mentioned. Good luck.

I did that and it didn't work.

If you ran the wizard and it still didn't work then i would be tempted to try another network card. Daft question but have you got any firewalls installed????