Windows 7: Acer Aspire running Windows 7 won't find an internet connection

My Acer Aspire running Windows 7 and using an ethernet cable can't find an internet connection. It was working fine then I downloaded a pre-loaded version of Microsoft Office 10 suites and the next time I tried to get online the connection was gone. I didn't download the Office from the internet so I can't imagine it is a virus but I don't know what could have happened. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Suggestion :
Do a system restore> Pick the date before you " downloaded a pre-loaded MS Office " as your restore point.
Hopefully, that will give you back access to internet.

>>>> I downloaded a pre-loaded version of Microsoft Office 10 suites......

Were you trying to say that your computer had a pre-installed " trial version " of Microsoft Office 2010 when you first bought your computer. Trial version has since expired, and you tried to download a full paid version of the Microsoft Office 2010 ?

I have tried that and it did not work. I had just read a different thread on here and entered the physical address of the LAN card to and went under the Advanced Tab and changed the Network Address from " Not Present" to the physical Address. The internet light on my modem came on then, but it still says it cannot connect. So I am still lost. I am on my desktop now and that is how I am connecting. Thats how I know its not a modem issue.

Just a question, Have you tried to release and renew your ip address, and have you gone to the command prompt and typed " ipconfig " to see if you have an ip address. Also, at the command promt type " ipconfig /release" hit enter, then type " ipconfig /renew" then hit enter again. Hope this helps.
When you went into the networking-tcpip -properties, did you check " Obtain Ip automatically ". Just wondering if this reply applies with your problem.