[peterd]

Thanks for the replies. I will get her to check the connections when she returns home today or tomorrow. If the modem is faulty do VM supply a free replacement?

Yes she has tried switching off the modem, shutting down the pc, switching on the modem and rebooting the pc but it didn't make any difference. She says when she previously had a similar problem accessing the net that NTL told her to boot up in safe mode (presumably with network connection) but she is not sure what else she was required to do before rebooting in normal mode.

She has reminded me that she has a router (make unknown until she returns home) which was disconnected by a former lodger. If the modem has failed can she use the router in its place or does it have to be used together with a modem? She believes that there were lights on both.

If she can use the router by itself does she still need Outpost firewall or do routers have built in ones?

She may decide to buy a laptop, particularly as there is an icon in sys tray which indicates that her Microsoft software is not authenticated! The pc belonged to her ex who was in IT and the o\s and Office suite are probably copies. If she buys a laptop she would want wireless broadband. Can she have VM cable wireless broadband? If so do VM supply the kit or does she have to go out and buy a wireless router? Would any router she has to buy also work with BT wireless broadband should she decide at a later date to switch to BT who provide her phone service?

Finally, in her sys tray there is an icon for LG ODD firmware auto updates. She doesn't appear to have any LG kit (unless the router is LG) so do you know what this might relate to?