I too installed Service Pack 3 downloaded from PC Authority, as I chickened out of the Complicated Microsoft one, over service Pack 2 with Internet Explorer 6, only because I need to Install Net Framework2 to run several Utilities. I couldnt connect to the Internet with my laptop at the Internet Cafe after, to do a connected download, and then had to do heaps or research only to find out that there were a lot of people in the same boat. This is how I solved my problem.
Dont just go to the Internet Explorer Menu
TOOLS Internet Options Connection LAN settings
Aitomatically detect settings to select this checkbox because there is more:
Go to
My Netwok Places, right click
Properties or
Open Network Connections on the Toolbar. Both get you to the
LAN or High Speed Internet settings, right click
Properties,
General. Scroll down and select
Internet Protocol . Select the
Properties Box, above the description below. On the
General tab, Clear both the
Use the following IP and DNS server address boxes , by selecting both
Obtain an address Automaticaly. Select the
Alternate Configuration tab, deleselect the
User configured
and select
Automatic private IP address . Go back to General Tab and Select the
Advanced settings below.
On
IP Settings tab,
IP addresses, check if the
DHCP shows as
enabled, and
Default Gateways Automatic metric box is ticked. On the
WINS tab, enable
Net BIOS to
Default settings.
OK all boxes to confirn and exit. There are lots of other settings and some of these above may already be enabled. No need to it in exactly this order but it is easier to follow. Sorry I couldnt attach pictures.
It is easy to overlook these simple settings as I did. If this doesnt help you it may help many others.
On XP this how you restart a service:
Click "Start"
Click "Run"
Type "services.msc" in the field
Find DHCP Client in the window that opens after you enter services.msc on in Run.