Hi there,
Murray, I can tell you 100% for sure, your problem is your power supply.
If you plan to replace it, be aware of how many watts you have now, can't go under and some can't go over.
A router, is a router is a router.... drivers are most likely your problem. (Ok, you bought a Dell, that was the first problem.) Propriatory pcs are a pain in the _ _ _ . You can't work on them or your warranty is invalid. But one thing with dell, their warranty is good. Scream loud and long enough, or simply chuck it out the window and they'll rectify the problem.
Drivers are available at
www.driverguide.com
Logon name is: Drivers
Password : All
Sort by name, ie. Linksys + model #
Dell drivers only available at Dell of course
Check for network card updates as well. same thing, name of nic card and model #. If you can't find them there, they're usually on the manufacturers website under support.
Before trying the next step, make sure your router works properly by taking it out of the picture. Plug your computer thru the network line coming from the wall directly into the computer first.
Reboot and check for connectivity. If it works, you know you need an updated router driver.
If it doesn't work...
Then.... I would start completely from scratch: Uninstall the nic card, unplug the router, reboot, plug the router back in and it will prompt you on restart that it has found new hardware and wants new drivers. If you found one from the driverguide site, and saved it to your hard drive, tell it the path and file to find it in.
Check for connectivity, if you have none,
click on start, run, cmd (windows 2000 or xp) 98 is command
type in: ipconfig /release
then: ipconfig /renew
But you've probably done all that already so throw it out the !@#$%^& window if it doesn't work and they'll give you your money back, lol...
Or..... take a great big magnet and place it on the top of the pc, it will suck all the information out of the hard drive, basically wipe it clean and you call with shock and horror and say "I don't know what happened, I just know it doesn't work" OR you hire me to fix it, lol, lol , lol......