I have ran scans today with AVG, MalwareByte's Anti-Malware (free) and Spybot S&D once in normal and once in Safe Mode. Currently version 8 and database is updated daily. I have been using AVG free since March of '08. Any other info you need, just let me know. I offer the info here in the event you need it. The best I could make out is Intel is no longer provding support for it. The installed adapter I mentioned is an Intel 82562V-2 10/100 Network Connection. I have a Dell Vostro 200 running XP with SP3 under warranty until next month.
With the suggestions recommended on that posting and two others, one being from your very own Bugbatter, I proceeded to do some PC cleaning. Upon Googling I found a posting that indicated that malware can be capable of messing with DNS addresses. In the quest to solve that issue I had ran a diagnostic test on the factory installed adapter whereas it indicated two DNS addresses failed the ping test.
The first issue I sought help for was to resolve not being able to connect to the internet with my host PC through a Linksys Router. The second issue, being the missing XP components, I felt certain was due to malware or a virus. 3 days ago I set out to resolve two issues that I'm experiencing one of which I never considered malware being the cause.