Internet connection on LAN

I am working on a new Win7 build and have not been able to get an internet connection on my (MSHOME) LAN.

I have a Belkin 4 port router and a DSL modem. Two XP Home computers on my LAN connect OK. The new Win7 has problems.

After assigning a static IP address of 186.192.2.8 to the W7 computer I can share with the XP computers and sign in on the router. (I have not been able to get W7 to share in the DHCP pool. This inability to obtain a DHCP address also happened on a previous W7 build that I aborted due to mobo issues. Their too I had to assign a static IP address.)
AVG Internet Suite firewall network 186.192.2.1 - 2.8 assigned as safe.

I get a network picture of the W7 computer connected to an unknown network (public) and a red X between the network and the internet.

I tried to rename the unknown network "MSHOME" but have been unable to do so. I did not attempt to make a W7 workgroup as I understand it would not work with this OS mixture.

I am just "spinning my wheels" now.
Time to ask for help----please.

I would suggest that maybe you would be best to reset your Belkin router to "factory defaults" and start the setup again. I have had three Belkin routers and have had to do the reset on a couple of occasions because something in the setup wasnot quite correct. Once you get it setup correctly it should run using DHCP without problem.

That was fast wilywombat. We must be close to the same time zone.

I bricked one mobo and a router with firmware updates. Firmware updates are now a "white knuckle affair" with me.

I hope I do not need a router firmware update to get Win7 computers
to use the DHCP pool.

I will try your suuggestion and report back.

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Regards Jim

Solved

Did as you said.
It worked. Win7 computer now obtains Ip dynamically and has LAN and internet connections.
I was going about it too complicated.

Thanks wilywombat!!!!

My pleasure, visit the forums when you can and pick up a few tips. I'm actually in Scotland...not far from you!!
Good Luck and glad to be of help.