Compaq Evo N400c IRQ or DNS problem?

[Red7]

Hi guys,

I have problem with my Compaq Evo N400c Laptop. Every so often my internet will not work when I boot my machine. It just says 'detecting proxy settings' and then displays the 404 error, 'page cannot be found'. Usually I can get it back by re-installing the modem but on occasion, I've had to re-install the whole of Windows! Annoying to say the least!

It seems to coincide with when I use my printer (although not every time I use it - it seems to be a case of russian roulette!). The printer connects via USB and usually stops all the other USB ports from working when it's plugged in. I'm wondering if it sometimes surges the ethernet socket as well? I've done a bit of basic I.T. but I'm a bit stumped on this one. I thought it may be an IRQ problem (the printer properties says it runs on IRQ port IO 0 - the same as all the other USB ports), or a DNS problem because of the 'detecting proxy settings' but that's just a stab in the dark! Does anyone have any suggestions? It's driving me nuts! Many thanks,

Red7