yes they certainly can go bad, they are very inexpensive and easy to replace, I had to replace one on my pc not long ago.

Just on an off chance, try doing a system restore to a date prior to the first occurence. I think Raven was talking about replacing one in a desktop and not a laptop. They are not so easy to do.
Have you done any cleaning lately, ie Temp files, run antispyware programs etc

Is there any chance you are using the Zonealarm firewall? My wife's computer started becoming very difficult to connect to the net. All setting were good but she needed to reboot frequently and even then there was no guarantee of getting online.

I removed Zonealarm and everything is fine, I feel there was a conflict with one of the later MS updates. Right now she has the MS firewall but I will probably try ther PC Tools free firewall as I have read good comments on that one.

oh yep my bad I was talking about my desktop have never done one on a laptop sorry.

do you by any chance have McAfee on your pc? I found many many of my problems I had been having on my pc some to do with connection issues were all remedied when I completely removed McAfee.

OH WAIT hold the phone you said about a week ago would that happen to be right after you got the latest MS updates??? Because that was one of the problems some were having after getting the updates! If it was right after patch Tuesday then I would bet it is one of those updates. Here is the link to the thread about that over on BBR forums.
Loss Of Connection After Installing Windows Updates
Oct MS Updates
this latest batch of updates also had a problem with some versions of zonealarm firewall.

If it did start at that time I think I would do a system restore to a date prior to that and see if that works, then you could go to the windows update page and try getting only the critical updates one at a time to see which one is the culprit and not get that one, once you know the KB number you can just remove that particular one from add remove.

If you need system restore directions just ask it is super simple and reversible.

Nope, no zone alarm or McAfee -- just AVG.

I actually had to completely reformat my hard drive and reinstall XP about 3 weeks ago, because I had a virus that I just could not get rid of. So I'm starting from a completely fresh install...downloaded all necessary drivers, etc., so I'm up to date on things in that regard. As I said, the first two weeks were fine, but then within the last week, things have gone to pot (and no, I doubt it's a virus -- I've barely used the computer other than to surf this site!)

I'll try the system restore and see if I have any luck with that -- if that's a no go, though, do you have any other ideas?

um did you get the recent windows updates as I had asked?
one of them is causing this type of issue and they were released about a week ago.

um, did you read what I wrote, where I said I was going to do you system restore idea?

excuse me????? I had asked very politely if you were aware that there were issues with the latest windows updates which came out at the same time you stated your issues started and that those updates caused this type of issue and in YOUR post you did NOT reply to that. YOU then asked for other ideas how exactly are we to reply if we were never given the answer, HENCE my repeat of the asked question. WE don't just ask these questions for the joy of it, we do not have esp, with out help and guidance we have no clue or hope to help further... freely by the way.

Yes, Raven is right and by the way, the system restore was my idea but answer Ravens question first before you do the system restore

Sorry if I came off snarky, but starting a sentence with "um" is generally considered bad netiquette (along with the phrasing "as I had asked" just made it sound like you were reprimanding a naughty child or something). I thought you were being snotty with me, so I answered in return.

I've obviously rubbed some folks the wrong way, so I'll move along elsewhere to find my help. Thanks anyway for what help you have given.