EdFair

Thanks

One of the more insightful replies I have received.
Unfortunately it did not work.

I am starting to believe that it might be possible, even though it sounds so far fetched, that something subtle has changed the onboard network hardware enough so that Linux continues to work and has no trouble connecting to the internet , but with Windows (unless I re-install and then for only a few days until it is broken again) it does not.
Scratch up another one for Linux!!

I gave up.
I bought a network card. Windows now connects through this card but still reports unplugged cable when connected to the onboard network port.

Thanks to all.

Alp