Connected to the internet vista says no

[F5L]

I am working on a Dell Inspiron 1545 for a customer, vista basic. It will not allow me to use windows update at all, shows in the network and sharing center that i am not connected to a network, but can ping google and surf the internet. I have found no solution what so ever can anyone help? thanks in advance

[patio]

You may be infected which is a common symptom if trying Windows Update...
Try this:
In IE go to Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN settings and uncheck "use proxy"...
Reboot and try Windows Updates.

Other than that if it resets itself that way travel to our Virus and Spyware section...

[F5L]

that was one of the first things i checked, going hit the virus thing again with a different program and see what happens