Computer Hangs - Network Adapter or Router?

That word-wrapped horribly, let me try again...

My problem started one week ago. There was no warning,
but when I tried to use my computer, each time I would
click on an icon or try to start a program from the start
menu, the computer would appear to hang. However, if I
waited long enough, MOST applications would load - and
actually behave pretty well as long as I wasn't
accessing "Windows" functions. As soon as I clicked
anywhere outside the program, the system would go into
the "hang" mode.

Internet Explorer was the worst, and seemed to take the
longest to load.

I ran every sort of virus scan, Trojan scan and all of
that. I came up clean except some exploit verify bugs
that McAfee cleaned up.

That seemed to fix the computer though, and it ran ok the
rest of the day. Then, the next day (Monday) the computer
began behaving the same way.

I got Explorer loaded, and found that as long as I didn't
try to open links in a new window, I could surf around
ok. Sometime while I was searching for fixes, the
computer "miraculously" began working again.

Until a week later. This Sunday, I began getting the same
behavior.

After a zillion lock ups and playing with the thing, I
finally realized that the computer runs fine in SAFE
MODE. It DOES NOT run fine in safe mode with Networking.

Taking that a step further, I find that I can disable my
Intel PRO/100 VE Network Adapter and the computer
immediately begins to work properly (except no internet of
course). This allows me to get explorer loaded and then I
can enable the adapter and surf a little - as long as I
don't open a new window. I still cannot do anything (like
start Quicken or Word) without the hangs though, unless I
disable the adapter again.

I went to Intel's page and waded through their horribly
bad layout and downloaded the most current drivers to no
avail.

I've also noted that running diagnostics
in "ControlUtility" for the Dell Truemobile wireless
router seems to momentarily bring the computer back to
life, which leads me to point more precisely towards the
router and perhaps not the network card. What could the
router be doing that is causing the lockup? Could it be
network settings I have loaded on the machine?

So... anyone ever dealt with anything like this and does
anyone have any tips?

Thanks in advance,

-Tom Steele

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