Lan connection blocked/unrecognized

Hey folks,
I'm having a similar problem to something that AbbySue posted a few pages back but there are minor differences in the situation and I need it explained to me in much simpler terms so hopefully you don't mind me making a new post.

Situation:
My home network has been working fine for the most part for a year, but recently I have had a problem. I'll call the host PC A, and mine B. For some reason I can't connect in the normal way, like Abby I'm sending packets but not receiving any. I'm not running any firewalls (I'll doublecheck to make sure WinXP firewall is off in a minute). Both the host computer and another computer are connected without problems, and wireless is working too so I assume the problem is specifically with my own PC. I didn't specifically change any settings recently, and usually I can just reset the router on the infrequent occasions where my internet is down but its not working this time.

After poking around on my own and being lost for the past week I came back to here since this community has helped me in the past. Random symptoms I've noticed. The same day that I first noticed the problem I got an error about IPC failure. I am fairly certain this was coming from an anti-virus program which I have since uninstalled (since I haven't downloaded anything since, and still have my spyware scanner running I think I'm still safe for the time being) and the errors have dissapeared.

As I said, my connection shows packets being sent out, but nothing coming in. When I type "Ipconfig" into my command prompt all I receive back is the text "Windows IP Configuration". No further information is given for my IP address and I think the details field if I check the properties for my connection is blank too. Also, if I hit the repair connection button, it returns a message that I can paraphrase as "Windows appears to be trying to repair something that is not a socket". I can get the exact text for my next post when I come back.

I appreciate any help or suggestions you can give me, especially if you explain it the way you would to oh, say a six year old child Thanks.

 

When you do the ipconfig on the computers, do either of them show an IP Address?

 

The IPconfig \all reports all the necessary information as normal on the host computer A and all internet functions work fine here (I'm using it to post here). It shows absolutely no information beyond the text "Windows IP Configuration" on the client computer B. A third PC in the house (laptop with both wireless and ethernet cord connections) works just fine as well so I believe the problem lies specifically with my computer B.

One friend who generally knows what he is talking about gave the very unhelpful prognosis of "it's a virus". Does this sound like typical behaviour of a virus?

 

See in Device Manager if the network adapter even exists. It will be under the catagory network adapters.

1. Start
2. Control Panel
3. System
4. Click on the Tab "Hardware"
5. Click on the button "Device Manager"

Report back what you find.

 

I have a Realtek Family PCI Network card showing, thats showing as enabled and working properly. There are two disabled pieces of hardware listed, an Nvidia NForce Networking Controller, and something that is just listed as 1394 Net Adapter. Is the Nvidia controller a built-in network card on my motherboard?
(Asus ABN SLI Premium)

Also, under the tab "Other Devices" my Ethernet Controller and USB controller are flagged as not having the drivers installed. How do I get them installed without my internet connection?

 

Do you have the nForce 4 Drivers installed? If not use one of the links below. One is for 32-Bit and the other for 64-Bit. Depending on which Bit of Windows you have.

32-Bit
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_430_410_winxp32_8.26.html

64-Bit
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_430_410_winxp64_8.26.html

The NVIDIA card is the integrated lan on the motherboard.

 

Thanks for the quick reply,

I'll try to download the drivers and I guess burn them onto a CD and bring them to my PC, although I think I am forced to connect to the older-scavenged-part Realtek Family PCI network card, because there are only two Ethernet ports on the back of my PC and the top one doesn't register when I plug the cable in and the bottom does. I'll try the drivers thing first, but it will take me a few days to find time for that.

Thanks