Ok. I'm over at a friends house working on his dead internet connection, and i could use a little guidance...

The internet connection IS functional. I'm using it right now off my laptop.. when i plug the ethernet cable into the PC, it connects to the network (instantly). However, there is no internet connection present... if i attempt to "Repair" the connection or I run "ipconfig /renew", it gives me errors. (ipconfig /renew gives me an invalid socket error, repairing gives tells me it couldnt get an IP address...)

This has happened to me before, and i fixed it when i reformatted my hard drive. this isnt my computer, so i'd like to take a less destructive route...

Try giving the router a hard reset; usually works for me.

Yup, I just cycle the power on my modem/router whenever the connection goes out. If that doesn't help, I call the ISP.

Hard reset was a failure. Any other ideas?

(besides, it's not the router, it's the computer)

Make sure the TCP/IP properties of the network connection are set for Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.

I know of a program that can repair TCP/IP and Winsocks, but I need to remember where they are.

A quick Google search reveals this, which looks promising:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=45&TopicId=6314

Uh... did you even read it? It never solves anything, nor offers any insight whatsoever... (oh, and its a different problem alltogether )

You have to admit, though. Compaqs do suck.

I own a Compaq Persario, and I've never had a problem. Plus I can play FEAR online, unlike you, loser. Oh BURNNNNN!!!!!

Wow. Is the graphics card stock?

...well no... touché

Still, it's always been a solid PC.

I had a Presario a few years back, and the thing was unstable as could be. Slow as molases in Jan also. Also, seemed like the machine didn't like any components that wern't compaq, and the keyboard wouldn't work on anyother machine.

hey, this isnt helping any...

In the windows device manager, delete the ethernet adapter, then do a scan for hardware changes so that it brings it back up. Most effective way of completely resetting a network adapter that I know of (short of a reinstall, anyway)

Of course I didn't. I was just trying to show that a JFGI might prove helpful.

http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/