so i’m back, not back on the internets via my own machine, but back to face this problem again
here’s the rundown, remember i can use a computer, but that’s about as far as my knowledge goes, so when you post your advice, remember to dumb it down to retarded child level. 
so i took my computer out of my room and plugged it into the ethernet that comes out of this black box thingy, maybe it has a better name, but i can’t think of it, so black box it remains.
i wrote down my steps cause, maybe it’ll help? i dunno, but i felt better for doing so
1. plugged computer into ethernet from black box
2. tried to use firefox immediately, no dice
3. disabled wireless connection via network connection widow from control panel
4. repaired lan connection (windows calls it lan connection 2, i dunno why, my wireless is wireless connection 3, maybe widows just likes to count)… said it was connected and firewalled
5. tried firefox again, again no dice
6. turned off black box
7. LAN cable unplugged message shows up on taskbar
8. turned off computer
9. turned on computer, turning off takes for *edited* ever, and the blue screen, like the startup screen with saving settings and all that, is gone, i dunno when or why, it kinda makes me said.
10. opened network connections window
11. turned on black box
12. Local Area Connection 2, connected and Firewalled
13. opened firefox, again nothing : (
14. Removed hotsync, it said something about COMM1 port not used or open, i uninstalled it, but i had talked with my dad through him a friend at his work and he felt it wouldn’t matter, but regardless i got rid of it, never did use that palm pilot.
15. disabled and repaired lan connection, connected and firewalled again
16. tired firefox again, nothing
17.restarted computer, unplugged dsl line from phone jack, and turned of box
18. plugged back in, turned on box, still nothing on the firefox
and thanks the whole 9 yards
sad raine is sad, direct connect was my big hope… any possiblities? i bought new wireless card too, and tried that, netgear something or other, and it had signal strength and all that like the old one, and the computer says the device is working properly. and yet no dice on getting any information, i’ve tried internet explorer, despite my hate of it, and still nada, though in my recent test i did neglect to try both browsers, but honsetly i feel that it’s unlikely that firefox is to blame as the BOINC manager for SETI online won’t connect to the internet and neither can steam