Hey kevin,
Thanks so much for responding. I've swapped out the ethernet cables - switched the ports (even tested in DMZ port) - booted up without the router (ie a direct connection) - and swapped out internet adapters. All with Power cycles and all to no avail.
I've done pretty much everything to make sure its not a hardware malfunction -as that would make this an easy fix =D
I've updated all drivers (including motherboard - cuz i have an intergrated nic that is malfunctioning and disabled in bios, also tried it enabled with no effect).
Bios updated to most recent and router firmware updated to most recent.
I would like to mention, I have 2 other computers on the router (one with XP the other with Vista). The vista one is a laptop, the XP one is a desktop.
Im almost thinking maybe its a setting on the XP desktop (ie its a host or something).
Another thing to mention is that for my non-functioning Win 7 computer - i noticed my UPnP Device Host is listed as "stopped" in msconfig, but my network discovery is on. Im running my router with Upnp enabled.. so far nothing is working. Also on the Win 7 machine SSDP discovery is on (according to msconfig)
PS - forgot to mention if i try to ping router (192.168.1.1) it simply says "Transmission Failure. General Failure" 4x.
I;m getting an IP addy of 169.xxx.x.x so its getting an autoconfig. Also no Default Gateway and no DNS assigned.
I have tried static ip and forcing it ..and that has not worked.
Its like the network win 7 thinks its on is Public (i have switched to Home and Work profiles- nothing) so its not acknowledging my home network.
Thanks for taking interest Kevin... i appreciate all help =)
-matt