Hello All,
I first want to say thanks for posting replies and helping.
I have found a "solution" but I can't say what it was.
So I took the machine (connected to Verizon DSL directly) and plugged it into a router with a cable internet connection and instantly it recognized a connection and obtained an IP address. After that, I was able to connect to the internet and surf like normal.
I then returned the PC to the DSL connection, rebooted the DSL router (turn off and unplugged for 5 minutes) and then connected everything and turned on the PC. I connected instantly to the internet.
Someone posted asking if I had contacted my ISP, I did on two occassions for this problem and both times they told me the problem was at my end and that I had to replace the NIC card. Well when first troubleshooting this problem, I replaced the NIC card with no luck.
In fact, after the above steps to connect, I was able to connect using the same NIC card that Verizon kept telling me to replace. I suspect that the issue was not with the PC so much as it was with the DSL modem.
So if anyone else has this issue with their DSL modem and 0.0.0.0 IP, I recommend rebooting the DSL modemn with at least 2 minutes of off time and if that doesn't work, try to see if the computer will connect to a router and another internet connection.
Thanks once again for all the help and posts.
Jojo