Hello

I apologize from the beginning for the length of this post. I'm not sure if i'm in the right place but I need some help and it looks like you all have way more knowledge than I do.

About 3 months ago our system all of a sudden got really slow. Then about two weeks ago our system blew. I didn't know computers could spew out that much smoke!! My IT guy from work got us a new computer and said the surge came from the cable since the network card was fried.

So, we got a new computer with Windows XP. My IT guy installs it and it doesn't work. He uninstalls and installs again, no go. So I call our internet provider. They say it's a problem with the network card or something on our system. My IT guy says it's the internet provider.

The day (at lunch) after getting the new computer (and 3 calls to the internet provider) all of a sudden our computer is working. I come home after work and I can't get in ("cannot find server"). I call again to the internet provider and go thru the usual routine questions with them. They have me unplug the cable from the computer and wall and their system shows that my IP address is still in use.

As you can see, the system is working again which it usually is after 1:00 am. My question is, does this sound like someone else is using our IP address? Can they over-ride our system so we can't get on or get kicked out when they get on? How do I correct this and then stop it from happening again?

Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
beaker