When I booted the Dell this morning I had a blue screen crash - just to encourage me about computers - error messages/must close program etc since, but it is running again now. I changed a few performance settings yesterday afternoon to speed things up after reading a G2G How-to-guide - perhaps it was that. Life gets you everytime it can !

OK thanks now I know - I only normally reboot as the last resort, afraid if I switch off the thing wont came back on againThat is normal for an ip conflict.
Rule 1) with networks if things loose connections reboot all equipment.
2) if last change still will not work then restore back to how you were
The Xbox wasn't connected to the PC it was connected direct to the Hub(router) using the Ethernet cable. That cable was also the one used to connect the Dell to the Hub(router) for a short while before wireless.If that cable was used to connect the Xbox & the computer it must be a cross over cable other wise they would not talk to one another.
BTW the Xbox still connects to the WWW wirelessly

to check get the cable and hold it with both release clips face down. Looking left to right are the wires in the same order
eg white,brown,blue,green,orange,white. (this is only an example not the correct cable colours) the point is are they the same from left to right. If they are then it is a straight through cable if the order is different then it is a cross over.
To be completly sure I'll check the cables as soon as I can and post you again - I have to go out with the wife very soon so it may not be until tomorrow my time !Check the cable you used last night against the one that came with the router and the cross over cable you bought.
Its my sons machine I didn't know you could file share until yesterday when he mentioned it was possible - I'll get him to try and let you know.When you had the xbox connected could you file share?I know nothing about Xbox do not even know if they have a keyboard?I assume they have a keyboard. Do they have an operating system like xp that loads before the games or does it have it's own os?.
Its a games machine - no keyboard (but I think thats an optional extra) its operated by wireless hand controllers - it has a hard drive (optional extra) - output viewed on a TV. I would say its a PC without any frills I guess it has an OS.
How about this for an idea what if I run msconfig and stop Z A loading at startup would that be enough ? in the short term for testing.I asked another helper is turning zone alarm off the same as deleting it .
QUOTE
Zone Alarm has a client protection feature that loads whether the firewall is on or not. The best way around that is to just uninstall Zone Alarm and see if the problem persists...if not, install a different firewall. I have found Zone Alarm to be quite glitchy these days.
This from my post #74 are you able to adviseIf we go to a crossover cable will I be able keep the wireless going for WWW access while we test ( Some concerns here !)
Did you get anywhere with your tests loading XP
Thanks for the continued help - I do try to keep these short but dont seem to manage it - I try to give you as much information as possible.
PS
I just found this should I be using the 'Wireless network setup wizard' found in control panel and not the 'Network setup wizard' found in 'Network connections' if so I havn't been

I read this in the Hub(router) handbook "Creating a wireless connection using Win XP" :-
Start > Control panel > Network connections > right click Wireless network connection select Properties > click on the Wireless networks tab - then it tells you how and what to enter but when I look at this there is NO tab only general and advanced see screen pic