Can not get an ip address!

I am working on a Dell Dimension 3000, and I am experiencing a problem I have never seen before. The computer will not get an IP address from my network server, I have used the onboard nic, a pci and usb nics. They all have the same problem. I can enter the ip address in manually and access my network, but not the internet. I have done a clean load from both a ghost image, and from the original disks. Neither one solves this problem.

One word: Firewall?

It could be one is currently blocking, or one was installed and left traces.

Something is preventing DHCP, and once static IP is put in preventing DNS and perhaps other network chatter to reach your machine.

OK, more than one word really, but... ;)

no, that was my first thought. right now, the machine is clean loaded with no programs, and not even the drivers for any components but the nic.

And the machine is clean of spyware/adware/viruses?

I've seen machines get infected within minutes of being hooked to the net when all I was attempting was to get Windows updates. :mad:

Don't assume it is because it is a fresh install either, you'll have to actually scan it to make sure.

did you try to manually refresh your DHCP? are you sure that the DNS is correct? If you connect another computer to your network, does it get an IP that works on both your network and the internet? You can try and run a program called winsockXPfix, http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html

Have you checked services and ensured both DHCP and DNS are started?
Start/Run
Services.msc