That machine is well within it's warranty period. Ask them to fix or replace.
Purchased an Alienware computer running Vista about 4 months ago and set up my Verizon DSL on it. Was working perfectly fine for 4 months and the other night it became effectively unusable. When logging on to the connection, it hangs on "registering your computer on the internet" after that it theoretically "connects," but the speed is so cripplingly slow it is basically nonexistent, (i.e. it attempts to load the default homepage but the green bar at the bottom basically stops and the page never loads fully although it keeps trying.)
I checked the modem and connection by reconnecting the ethernet cable to an old XP machine and the connnection works fine. I am not using a router and only have the modem connected to a single machine.
After 12+ hours on the phone with Verizon and Alienware, I am no closer to a resolution. Based on their advice and assuming the system had been irrevocably corrupted somehow, I did a complete recovery of the system. However, when I reestablished the connection, I had the same problem.
Since Norton Internet Security 2007 is no longer installed on the system post-recovery (and I was using the same version on the XP) I don't believe this is the problem. Ping tests result in normal speeds and Verizon shows that I am receiving normal speed.
I am no tech expert. But after spending most of the weekend on the phone with Verizon "Premium" Technical Support and Alienware, I am at wits end.
I have ordered a newer version of the modem used by Verizon, but I do not have a lot of confidence that this will resolve the problem.
Does anyone know what may be causing this or how I should pursue diagnosing or resolving this issue? Can provide more detail if necessary. Any input at all appreciated.

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