Need help troubleshooting internet connection - looking for tutorial

That's ok - it will keep until you have the time.

Try downloading the instructions page and as many of the tools as you can until frustration sets in, then take a break. Keep download the tools until you have them all. Then you don't have to worry about the connection AND running the tool - you'll have everything you need.

For this exercise, I'm going to suggest that you skip updating the definitions because of your flaky connection. Many of the tools will prompt you with "Do you want to update the definitions" or something along those lines - just say no. It's not what I would normally suggest, but - you'll just have to run the scans with the definitions that come with the package.

I know you have other means to connect, so that might be your best bet if the connection issue persists and you have questions about the scans.

I've been thinking about the issue and the shotgun approach was only to double check your system (more like octo check).

There are devices that give you fast cabled connection called Powerline adapters. The plug into your wall electrical outlets and run the signal over the house wires.

Since you're fairly far away from the router and going through walls and floors, that might be a good option for you instead of wireless.

Here's some on sale at Best Buy to give you an idea of the cost.
Any brand, except bargain basement brands, should work about the same. I picked TPL only so that the list was shorter, it wasn't a recommendation, although it is a fine brand. Do some homework, check reviews and see what ones fir your budget.

If you decide to go with a powerline adapter, I still think you should run the full guide.

Bill
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Ok, it's fairly simple once you get the basics - it took me a while too :)
The example picture shows three rooms and three adapters, you only need two

The 1st adapter is on the 1st floor (or wherever the ISP supplied modem (CableModem)]is located)

An Ethernet cable connects the CableModem to one of the PowerLine adapters.
The PowerLine adapter plugs into an electrical wall outlet.
The entire house is now Ethernet ready - the signal passes over the house wiring.

A second PowerLine adapter can be plugged into any electrical outlet in the house.
You would then connect the second PowerLine adapter to your PC with another Ethernet cable

You can add more PowerLine adapters in other rooms to make them Ethernet ready or you can move the second wherever you want.

You can get starter kits, usually two PowerLine adapters or single add-on adapters. But you have to start out with two.

They vary in price but all perform about the same - do some research and talk to the stores. The pricier ones have power pass through outlets so you can still use the outlet for other power needs (a clock or lamp). I don't think that's worth the extra money, but some folks do.

Make sure you have the Ethernet cables (2) - I don't know if the kits include them or not.. The description might tell you, then again it might not :)

Bill
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The call is yours Adam.

Take another shot at getting help on the BSOD or go through a re-install. I would post the recent BSOD in the same thread you used before when the last BSOD occurred. That way someone with BSDO experience can use both as a comparison.

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A Clean install is 99.9% sure to cure all that ails a machine. You're more experienced than last time, and we know all the things that went wrong and why.

Too many instructions from too many people at one time, many times. Some miscommunication and many misunderstandings.

What do you need for an reinstall?
All of this is in the tutorial, but here's the short list

1) backup your data, not the OS or programs, just your data

2) find the Acer install disc. It would be preferable to create SP1 install media, but you never got through the Malware guide. So I suggest that the install media be download and burned to disc on another machine just in case.

3) Have your wireless driver on a flash drive or CD, also just in case. I remember it was hard to find, so if you still have what you downloaded last year, that would be great. I don't see anything in your system specs about your wireless card.
You know what, any chance you could get a Powerline adapter - we discussed one, but I'm not sure if it's in your budget. If it is, having that up and running would make the re-install a piece of cake. Let me know, otherwise tell me about your wireless card.
Details are important - who makes it, the exact model, sometime they have a rev#
For instance I have a Netgear 54g USB adapter, Netgear has 4 download versions - not versions of the same drier, but 4 version of the hardware.

See if Control Panel->Administrative Tools->System Info tells you about the wireless card.
Speccy might:
Speccy - Publish Snapshot of your System Specs
but it might not report the information needed (some reports give you part numbers) and it is really hard to match a product and a part number - but give it a shot.

That's the short list.

1. The install media will have everything you need. Disk management can be done at installation time so no other tools are needed. It was a good question though.
   Please post a Disk management for me, you say that you created a data partition las time. That's good to know up front and will make the install better, no questions about backups or if you need that other partition.
   
   See: Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
   
   I suggest you keep the other partition though since your data is on it (yes?)
   If your data is not on the other partition for some reason, you can use it as a backup. Either way it makes the preparation for install really easy.
   
   
2. Yes SP1 will save a lot of time when you start updating Windows. I'm not sure if it is in the tutorial or not, but there's also a Hotfix rollup that is sort of like SP2 - they just didn't call it SP2, they called it a rollup.
   
   
3. Just in case there is Malware on your machine. If you use an infected machine to burn a disc, you run the risk of also putting the virus on the disc. So there are two choices
   1. burn the disc on a machine known to be free of malware, or
   2. run the scanners in the malware guide to be as certain as possible that your machine is free of malware.
      if you're going to run the malware guide, then you probably don't have to do the re-install
   No, I don't want to use the Acer disc, I don't think it's SP!. Is it? Does the label say SP1 on the disc?
   
   I'll give you the exact download for the ISO you need and the tool to burn it to disc.
   
   
4. NO PowerLine adapter this go round, I understand.
   You're willing to move your box to where the cable modem is and use a wired connection. That's good, I wouldn't want to try this with a intermittent wireless connection.
   It's unlikely that a short is causing the wireless issue - it could. You'd have to take to a local PC shop and test the board it's not cheap.
   
   
5. Correct - the wired connection will get you to the Internet and Windows Update (WU) will get you the other drivers. We might have to find one or two that WU doesn't provide, but getting to the Internet is critical.

This is great - you're asking good questions before doing things so you understand why I want you to do something. Preparation makes all the difference.

If you can use the Win8 machine to burn the disc, that will work even though it's Win8 and your machine is Win7. I'm assuming of course, that the Win8 machine is free of malware.

Send me a PM when you think you want to start. I'll plan out an hour or two to get the install going and into the Windows Update phase. The rest of the Windows Updates will take about 3-4 hours - I'm not hanging around that long, but it's mostly automatic once you get it started. Then you'll have to install any programs .

If you have any programs (games, utilities, etc.) that you bought, find the license key (on the disc, the box, or in an eMail if it was an online purchase). have those licenses, if any, ready for when you start installing applications.