So I did.
Then I had no internet.
Lots of phone calls with Verizon and Dell have revealed the following:
1. In DOS, I was able to successfully ping google.com
2. In safe mode, I can get the internet through a browser.
3. Clearing the cookies, temporary files and history from Explorer didn't help
4. Nor did resetting all Internet Options to default
5. Nor did doing a System Restore back to idyllic pre-Service Pack 2 times.
Anyone?