keane

I have a home network. I am having problems with one computer on the network. There are several things that have been done or happened to this computer recently that may or may not be related.

About 6 weeks ago I opened the cabinet and blew the computer out with a can of compressed air. About 2 weeks later I connected a US robotics 28.8k modem I use to reprogram my home security system. The computer was unable to find the port and connect to the modem.

This computer is 6 years old. I decided it would be beneficial to format and reinstall the OS(windows xp). I did. I used the factory disks that came with the computer. Now it can not find an internet connection.

I have cable internet with a Motorola surfboard modem. I have a D link router. The other 2 computers have internet connection. The router does not recognize that my computer is on. I tried moving the ethernet cables on the router and changing the ethernet cable from the network printer to my computer. The router still doesn't see my computer. I tried to install the router via usb port to my computer while leaving the router connected to the LAN via ethernet cable also. That would not work either.

Am I gradually losing the ports one by one? Is this a software problem or a hardware problem. The computer has one integrated board. Doing a repair may not be an option. There are two slots and bays to ad ports. Would this be an option to ad a new ethernet port? Or is that a temporary solution because the main board is going out?

Thanks and I hope your are having a Merry Christmas