I have tried the reboot sequence but unfortunately it does not make any difference - thank you for the suggestion though. Another thing noticed this evening - I have plugged in the modem (set top box) into the computer direct, rebooted and have internet access again. Inadvertently, I had left the wireless connection on (linked to the router) - this stopped any internet activity even with the modem plugged in direct. By switching off the wireless card (linked to router) it then picked up the internet connection no problem (note that the internet connection was not coming through the router at the time as I have only one wire, hence the need for the router
). This would imply that there is something in the settings in the router blocking internet activity (ports?)?
MrB