Vista Networking Issues Driving Me Crazy!!!

Since installing a new DLINK 632 router this weekend, the only Vista computer in the house cannot access internet.  Of course, this is Lori's computer, so mama ain't happy, and therefore no one is happy.

It gets an IP.  It can ping internet sites all day long.  But can't access any of them via web browsers or other apps.

I've tried all these things one by one and get same results.

• ipconfig /release     then    ipconfig /renew   also threw in a flushdns
• powered off and let computer sit for a while
• powered off router and DSL modem and let them sit
• disabled Norton AV
• I've used every "diagnose and repair" button there is - and it keeps saying all is well.
• Windows firewall not enabled
• deleted the network device and rebooted allowing windows to reinstall it
• tried all the stuff on this page:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357
• uninstalled Norton AV.  
• Disabled TCP v6 in the Networking properties (leaving only TVP v4)
• plugged the network cable from PC into laptop and confirmed that the cabling is fine (the laptop connected wired OK)
• took the new router out of the picture and went directly from Vista PC to DSL modem.  Logged through DSL broadband connection successfully.  Same results: Could ping internet, but not browse.
• hard coded an IP address
• When I look at "Network and Computer sharing"... it has the nice little graphic of the PC connected to the network, and the network connected to the Internet.

I have not reinstalled windows nor have I removed and reseated the network card.  I also have not thrown the PC out the 3rd floor window of our office, but it's crossed my mind.

I am stumped.

Any ideas?

Happy Mother's Day

Had a great time over Mother's Day!  Event Roxie was smiling!!

Kids First Train Trip - Cary to Richmond

I am taking boys to Mimmie and Poppie for the weekend while Lori and I go to Ridgecrest for the Fall Festival of Marriage. This reminds me of the time when my grandma took me on a train trip. I guess trains are a little faster now.

Happy 13th Anniversary to The One I Love!

Today, I am celebrating the 13th anniversary of marriage to my best friend Lori.  We are very blessed to have a great marriage and 3 wonderful boys.  In lieu of a $5 card from CVS, I made this video for her tonight.  Hope you enjoy.  To the one I love, Lori... Happy Anniversary!

Song credits: "One I Love" by Coldplay

Carpenter Coyotes Trip to Hanging Rock Park, NC

Caleb and I just returned from our Indian Guides tribe's 24-hour camping trip (photos) to Hanging Rock Park. 

We left home Saturday around 2 and arrived around 4:30pm.  We pitched our tent after finding a spot high enough off the ground since we were expecting rain. Once camp was set, we hiked up to Hanging Rock.  That was quite a long hike, mostly uphill.  I took many pictures of the boys along the way, and then we finally arrived at the top.  It was quite a beautiful view, overlooking the valley and across to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  We took a bunch of pictures, and then headed back to camp.  It was dark for most of the hike back, and we had to use flashlights.  It was fun talking about all the bears and creatures that must be in the woods ready to pounce on us.

When we got back to camp, we grilled hot dogs.  I put on the pot of chili I had brought from home, and also provided some diced up onions.  It's the little things like that that separate a good cookout from a great cookout!   After dinner, we gathered around the campfire and told scary stories.  By then it was around 10:30pm, so we turned in.

It was no later than 10:45pm when it started raining - and raining hard.  It was really nice, since our tent was properly positioned, and did not leak.  It had also cooled down into the low 70's and was an excellent night for sleeping outside, especially with the rain going on and off all night long.  I had a good night sleep thanks to a new foam bedroll I used, and also the sleeping pill I took before bed.  :-)  

We awoke around 7:30am.  I grilled donuts on the grill, and they were excellent, probably thanks to a little residual flavor from the prior night's hot dogs.  Russ Hemingway made some great coffee using his signature old tin coffee pot.  It was a good meal for men and boys.

Then we dismantled the tents, and packed the cars.  We drove to the next hiking event, which was Tory's Den and Tory's Falls.  The Den was pretty cool, but the Falls were not too impressive.  The den is a cave supposedly used by Tories during the American Revolution. 

We had had enough of hiking by this time, and were able to convince the boys it was time to leave and seek ice cream on the trip home.  We arrived home around 2pm, a mere 24 hours since we originally departed.  It was a fun "day" spent with Caleb and the other Carpenter Coyotes.