So you are connected to the router by an Ethernet cable is that correct ? If so do you have another cable to test ?
You can get a wireless USB for about £10 / $15 http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_st_review-rank?rh=n%3A340831031%2Cn%3A!340832031%2Cn%3A429888031%2Cn%3A430581031&qid=1444229266&sort=review-rank
My desktop doesn’t support wifi, so what I have is a hot spot only. I have no Ether net cable. Verizon said to empty something,but I don’t want to lose the auto sign ins I have.
How do you access the hotspot ?
It was just set up last night. I signed on to it with my smartphone, and I have an HP mini (netbook) that I have connected to the Wi-Fi created last night. My netbook is a back-up computer that I seldom use.
The Avast people reinstalled the program on my computer, but the problem came back within ten minutes. I called them back and was told the only thing I could try was reinstalling the operating system. I might as well just buy that new computer now.
As you have such a convoluted way of getting online then it is not really surprising that you are losing your connection… The thing is that it would be difficult to trace where the error originates
Perhaps something I said caused you to think I have a convoluted way of getting online.
I do not have a convoluted way of getting online.
I have DSL, high-speed Internet, which is ALWAYS connected. When it works, I can be online, such as now. When there is no connection and the dinosaur shows up, I cannot be online. I rarely use the HP mini machine that connects to the Internet with wi-fi.
OK I am confused how does your computer connect to the internet if not by cable or wireless ?
I have a telephone line that is split into telephone and DSL. It’s “broadband.” It’s not cable from Comcast, for example.
How do you connect to the router though does that use a cable
Phone line is split. What happens after the phone line leaves my apartment --I don’t know.
A cable goes from the computer to the router, which goes to the phone jack in the wall via a cable.
Hmmm that still does not sound quite right 
The way my system works is that I have the computer, the data then goes to my router (by wireless or cable) and the router then connects to my phone line by a splitter
That sounds like what I have described. Standard DSL.
OK from your computer to the router is an Ethernet cable do you have another one to replace your current one with (it may have some breaks in it )
I have a small collection of cables here. How do I know if it’s an Ethernet cable?
bgranat
58
OK. I think when I connected the router, I used the existing yellow cable, but I have something here that’s yellow that looks like the pictures. It’s wjat came with the router, I think.
Interestingly, the dinosaur has been absent today, except just now for a second, and then the page loaded properly. It’s appeared a couple of times in the last few minutes, just a second before loading a page properly.
Well, I just switched the cables. The old one looks undamaged to me. I really should reboot, I think. Can’t hurt. Turned the router off and on, of course, when I changed the cable.
bgranat
59
No joy. The miserable little dinosaur is back.
It is a connection problem as your system is clean, as you have a new router and the Ethernet cables work, the next option would be that the card is damaged. However this would cost to replace as it is on the motherboard. The only alternative would be to try a wireless USB and see if that works better
