Intermittent network connectivity after Netgear router crash

Desktop system was running fine prior to the Netgear router crashing (WGR614v8). Following the crash, absolutely no indicators lights remained on router.

Turned off the PC and unplugged the modem
Disconnected the system's network cable from the router
~ 15 seconds later plugged modem back in & plugged in system's network cable
After all lights were responding, restarted the PC.
Cleared temp internet files and cache

Attempted to access the home page on each of the system's 3 browsers: FF, IE8, & Chrome: access timed out on all 3
Retried all 3 and after several seconds (~30-45) the page would either launch or fail again

Contacted Time Warner/Roadrunner to initiate a chat. Speed tests were run (download & upload) and all fell within their optimal range for my level of service. As soon as I could connect to a site that I normally visit, the issue was considered "resolved."

Immediately launched another browser, and it timed out again ...this time with DNS related issues sited. Called TW again and a site visit was performed today. They upgraded the modem. Again the download/upload fell with the range of service but the tech indicated that something was definitely wrong -- either software or hardware related.


Later I updated the defs for malwarebytes and AV running scans offline. Both resulted in no issues. I want to rule out hardware before proceeding to a re-image at this point.

Additional actions:
Ipconfig /all etc...
Windows Network Diagnostics: reports no problems
Intel Diagnostics:
CONNECTION Test details

This adapter is configured to obtain an
IP address automatically. The adapter
obtained an IP address from a DHCP server.
Ping Gateway 67.253.228.1 : Failed
Ping DNS 209.18.47.61 : Passed
Ping DNS 209.18.47.62 : Passed
No WINS server is available for this
connection
Ping DHCP 10.240.0.1 : Failed
The link partner is not capable of running
at 1000 Mbps.

Network card: Intel 82567LF-2 Gigabit
Driver Version: 9.52.9.0, 6-18-2008

As a side note, my XP laptop can connect without any issues. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello.. try this to fix that : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/74209-dns-resolver-cache.html Then reboot computer , go to Control Panel , open up Network and Sharing Center. have it Diagnose and Repair . on left of that screen.

Flushed the DNS
Rebooted
Ran diagnose & repair -->
returned with issues... options were to:
power down modem
repair
reset

opted for power down modem
after 30 seconds, restarted
after lights were fully functional, re-ran diagnose & repair
returned successful...

launched FF (fast)
launched IE (not as fast)
launched Chrome (failed)

Attempted process again but with complete power down of system and modem
restarted modem...waited for indicators lights
restarted computer
ran diagnose & repair --> good to go
launched FF (fast)
launched this forum (slower)
entered password -- 7 retries later the page opened.

Hmmm. well. that is almost fixed.. you are hard wired to router or wireless ?

hardwired

Any chance you have another router or is that the only one ?

That is the only one and I'm preparing to head out of town for a longer w/e. My plans were to shop for a new one upon my return my next week. Question... what would happen if i disabled the DNS Client?

You mean in the router interface page or in your services .

in services

When you type a web address into your web browser and press ENTER, you are sending a query to a DNS (Domain Name System) server. If the query is successful, the website you want opens; if not, you'll see an error message. A record of these successful and unsuccessful queries is stored in a temporary storage location on your computer called the DNS cache. DNS always checks the cache before querying any DNS server, and if a record is found that matches the query, DNS uses that record instead of querying the server. This makes queries faster and decreases network and Internet traffic. Internet Explorer has it's own DNS cache it manages, not including this one. For more detailed information, see: Windows Help and How-to: DNS (Domain Name System) FAQs

From the DNS tutorial..