and I find that most of the ISP's tech support people are woefully ignorant of 3 major problems affecting internet connectivity.. spy-ware, browser hijacks, and virus activity.
When I sign new users up for my internet service, I usually have them bring their computer into the shop, and I end up spending 1/2 hour cleaning up their system, just to get ANY internet connection working again.
I'd suggest bringing your 'puter to a decent repair shop and tell them you'd like them to use the following tools to clear out unnecessary applications that may be causing problems with your internet access:
AdAware, by LavaSoft
http://www.lavasoft.nu/support/download/Delete anything except "BrilliantDigital" and "Cydoor", which are required components of Kazaa and other file sharing systems, and relatively harmless.
"HijackThis!" Browser Hijack remover (This is a registry editor.. Dont use unless you know what you're doing!)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155Tell them to look out for xupiter, new.net, searchalot, (or any of the other stupid "search bars")
My bet is that you just have broken internet access due to one or many of these LEECH programs.
I am very surpirsed no one has brought a class action suit against these A-holes. They are literally ruining the internet.