Alright, my router and modem were working fine, but I needed to wipe and clean my computer, so I install Vista Ultimate SP1, and now the internet won't work? But just under that OS...

When I boot into Linux (Ubuntu on Vista box and DSL box), I automatically detect the router and modem and can connect.
When I use my 98 box I can connect.

So basically it looks like Vista just isn't detecting the router/modem? (ipconfig reveals a default IP address, rather than a referral to one of the devices like 192.168.1.2) Before SP1 it worked fine though. I have a Netgear RP614 v4 router, and a Speedstream 5200 Bell modem.

Does anyone know how I could fix this up? Drivers? Tips? Etcetera? (I called the support line and they were no help.)

1. Check that your network card drivers are installed.
2. Network Connections->Local Area Connection (or w/e)->Properties->TCP/IP->Properties->Use the following IP Address
192.168.1.<number between 3 and 30>
255.255.255.0
192.168.1.2 (that's your router's address, right?)
Use the following DNS server addresses:
192.168.1.2
4.2.2.2

My routers address is 192.168.1.2, yes. What's the first and last IPs for?

the <number between 3 and 30> will be the new address of your computer, the last one is just a random public dns server.

Alright I'll try that in a bit. Any suggestions if it doesn't work?

In Device Manager, see if you have the right drivers for that network card, I've found in my computer refurbishing class that Windows is really funky about finding proper drivers, especially if they are some weird brand, usually 3COM network cards work fine.

Doodle's stuff didn't work, so I'm going to try finding drivers.

Ah, I just realised this is the first time I've booted 64-bit Vista, which might be the problem. Downloading things through a LiveCD is hella tedious.

Well theres your problem...

IMO, I don't see why its doing it, unless for some reason your drivers are counted differently on the OS. Make sure you have the protocols installed.

Well, the main problem with network card drivers is that lots of drivers are kept online, but if you're trying to get a driver for a network card, usually you don't have access to the internet, so you only have the drivers that are already on your OS.