New Dell won't connect to internet?

I don't know where to really start, and if this a windows, dell or hardware problem. I think I've ruled out hardware and firewall.

My xps8000 is three days old. It's running win7professional and is connected to the internet and a network through a linksys-g router (can't remember the number, but it's the old "black and blue" style. it is G). The connection with the router is a WIRED connection. I'm also running the dell-supplied Mcafee Security Center as firewall, antivirus, etc.

For three days I've been having problems with the xps8000 getting connectivity to the internet. It will connect to other computers on the network. The other computers on the network can connect to the internet. I've set and reset the cable modem and the router countless times, as well as switched around network cables to make sure it's not a simple hardware problem. Usuing windows diagnostics, the NIC is working and the little light on NIC card is flickering properly, so I know there's a signal and I don't believe there are any more current updates for the driver for win7. Plus, the machine is less than a month old. So here's the deal:

When I did get get a successful connection to the internet with the xps8000, I created a restore point. Cool. I'm currently connected now because I restored the computer back to the last time the internet connection worked. However, if I restart or turn off the pc, I will lose connectivity when it restarts. I'm currently running the xps in sleep mode when I want to turn it off.

At first I thought it had to do with either Mcafee updates or a conflict with regular windows updates when you get a new pc. Mcafee was acting kinda squirrelly as well (wouldn't open), so I reinstalled it. But like I said, if I turn off the computer or restart it, I lose internet connectivity. if I UNINSTALL Mcafee entirely, I get those crazy messages from windows security center (and you really don't want to be exposed without virus protection anyway). And then of course, when the computer restarts, I have no internet connectivity. Latest update: Spent an hour on the phone with Mcafee support. According to all the tests we did, the firewall doesn't seem to be blocking internet connectivity and the software installed properly.

Dell was a joke. When they realized the hardware was working fine, they tried to get me to pay for software support to the tune of $130 to fix the problem. I don't think so.

Please help. I'm going crazy. Two final notes: I CAN connect consistently to the internet in Safe Mode, and in normal mode the Dell XPS can see the computers on the network.

To the best of my knowledge, I've disabled Windows automatic updates.

Any help would be appreciated, or let me know if this should be posted in another forum. Thanks.

 

If you are able to connect to the network (other computers on the router) then it is definatly NOT a hardware issue. More than likely the problem has something to do with a firewall turned on somewhere.

1. Make sure to turn off ALL firewalls, this include McAfee, window, and any other firewall that may be present.

2. attempt to access internet
Access Internet
Yes ==> turn on only 1 firewall and make sure you still have internet access. Multiple firewalls turned on will cause headaches.
No ==> reply to this for more trouble shooting steps