You guys are more computer/network savvy than I am. Looking for some help.

Caught the damn antivirus virus. Cleaned it off no problems, but lost internet connectivity on the wired desktop. I'm connected wirelessly with this laptop and 2 ipod touch.

Running XP and recently updated to Service Pack 3 (problem isn't from this...)

Hunting the internet, the only thing I find is to reset the Winsock file or rebuild the tcp/ip stack. Following directions and various files, I've been playing around with both, but still have no internet connection.

It won't restore to a previous point. I am trying not to do a complete system restore because it is an old machine and there will be 3 days worth of restoring and updates with the constant running down to the basement every hour to reboot the machine.

Hoping some of you network/PC savvy folks can help out and give some ideas.

Thanks. Using this POS laptop is driving me crazy.

Please check if the network adapter is still installed:

There should be atleast one "Local Area Connection", make sure that its enabled and that it reports that the cable is plugged in.

Can you reach your router? First check its ip:
Still in the "network connections" window, right click on your local area connection and select "status". Click on the "support" tab and note the "default gateway" address.

Try pinging your router as well as an internet server:

Paste (or post a photo of) the output if you are uncertain about how to read the data.

Did the virus perhaps install a proxy?

Navigate to connections > lan settings). See attachment for how it's normally configured.

Post the contents of your hosts file:

Here's an article on how it's supposed to look.

Resetting the ip stack is not a bad idea at all, at least it wont hurt:

Reboot.

Check you haven't set up a static address, that's caught me out so many times, even when I can't remember clicking it...open network connections, right click, properties, IPV4-> Propterties > automatically assign a network address.

You should check to see if you have a link light on, I generally work up the OSI stack for connectivity problems..
So if no link light then that would indicate a layer 1 problem (or layer 8- user!!) meaning no physical connection, if that's the case try another cable, make sure it's actually plugged in, etc If you are getting a link light then read on......

Although I doubt a virus will knock out your ethernet drivers look under device manager to see if there are any problems with your ethernet adaptors..

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

You will need to have view hidden/protected files enabled
File called "Hosts"
Open it with notepad.
Should have the following:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# ::1 localhost

If it had something like:

212.152.24.1 acme.com

and you haven't put it there then probably something the virus has done. Remove it. Some of the scareware (as in the fake anti-virus software) modify the hosts file to allow for downloading of additional trojans.

Presume you're connecting to a wireless router (these also have ethernet ports in them normally) power it off and then back on, sometimes they can do weird things. When connected wirelessly if you perform an "ipconfig" in a command prompt it should show you getting a local IP address probably a 192.168.x.x - If you are connected via wire, if you run a "ipconfig" are you getting an IP address?

Weak laptop battery making it necessary to keep plugged in upstairs and not wanting to keep running up and down the stairs, I just restored windows. It's a pain in the ass, but less of a pain than trying to diagnose something over the internet through 2 floors of the house and running all around. I just now have to spend the time updating windows and reinstalling some of the programs that need it (most work fine afterwards.)

Awe crap, trying to open an Excel file and forgot about the stupid Norton that is installed wanting to scan everything before opening Excel which doesn't work. Forgot about the removal tool for that. Yet another reboot I'm sure....

Quote from mrodgers :

....... I just restored windows....

Ah this wasn't the first time you have done this if I remember.. Without understanding you won't be able to fix anything. It's all very well fixing the problem but without understanding why the problem occured you won't have actually answered anything.

Oh well, at least it serves a purpose for me to not bother wasting my time at 2am trying to help you when you're just gonna be like "ah well **** it walking up and down the stairs heaven forbid i lose a few pounds so much effort *sadface*"