XP shared internet problem

Okay...
I'm using a Netgear DG834G modem/router to provide broadband to an XP desktop through an RJ45 and to a ME laptop through Wi-Fi. I was surfing on the desktop when a website spawned some weird-looking install dialogue boxes. I don't know how it got through the Netgear firewall, btu guessed it must be Ad-Ware and ran Ad-Aware SE personal to try and sort it. It removed the ad-ware ok, but afterwards I couldn't access the internet on the desktop. The laptop was fine. I've tried every applicable trouble shooter and played around a bit, but nothing seems to work.
In Network Connections, the local area connection to the Netgear seems fine, but on the status screen it looks like the computer is sending packets but not recieving any. When IE is opened it shows the "this page cannot be displayed" page, even when trying to get to the settings page for the router. I've run Norton and McAfee Stinger to look for any worms or trojans, but they drew a blank. Oddly, at the same time, Norton Internet Security have been acting up as well. When somebody logs on, a symantec program called Common Client (or something) shuts down, followed by Internet Security and Antivirus.

SO, any ideas? I've used all of mine

doesnt any program related to internet work ie. msn icq so on if these things work you can just download mozilla and give that a try, it is a whole load better than internet explorer and more secure to.

no - no internet-based programs work at all. I tried firefox, but that didn't help

The 'spyware' may have damaged your LSP winsock protocol. Some particularly malicious spyware can affect NIS and Adaware and would not necessarily have been picked up by Stinger which is a virus scanner. It might be worth running a Hijack This log and checking that - the O10 items listed in that are LSP related. Adaware has an LSP plug in available from the lavasoftusa site. LSPfix.exe can be downloaded after a quick google - BUT you do need to know what you are doing or you can permanently damage both the LSP and your Operating System. The antivirus forum http://forums.devshed.com/f117/s that can handle HijackThis logs might be a good place to visit with this problem.

Perfect!
I ran the Hijack This log and ran it through the site to find out what to remove. It pointed out the LSP problem and pointed me to LSPfix at cexx.com. And it worked! Hooray! Thankyou!

Glad I could help