I've reformatted a laptop today and installed Windows XP Pro on it. Once I connected it to a working router with an Ethernet cable and added the correct drivers from the Dell site, I was able to browse the 'net.

However, as soon as I went to the Windows update site, it failed to load the page and now won't load any pages. So, I 'repaired' the connection, which failed and it is now behaving as though the port is dead. It is saying that a network cable is unplugged and the light has gone out on the router.

It has already done this once and I reformatted and reinstalled Windows again for a second attempt.

WTF am I doing wrong??!!

I just don't understand what it is that is allowing it on the 'net, then suddenly deciding that it doesn't want to do that any more.