Ok, well here is what I have tried so far;
The above suggestions were of no help at all, but thanks anyway...I found a document on the Symantec web site (Document ID 2007080209280848, "How to manually uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection client from Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 2008 32-bit") which described in detail how to manually uninstall SEP client. This includes doing some rather involved removal of registry keys and getting rid of the Teefer2 driver and everything associated with it. However, after I followed all the instructions to the letter, i had successfully uninstalled SEP, but I am still left with no connectivity. Both adapters (wireless and LAN) are working fine. We have an identical laptop which is working great on the same wireless router, and it will even work with the same ethernet cable I am trying on the affected laptop. So I know the router and cable are not the problem. I see a lot of mention about the TEEFER thing which seems to attach itself to both the network adapters. I have never seen any indication of this Teefer before I attempted to uninstall and reinstall SEP. I have tried uninstalling the adapters and restarting the laptop, but the same thing keeps happening. At one point I have actually had SEP uninstalled cleanly and reinstalled cleanly, but I still end up with no connectivity except for local.....no internet access at all. After the successful reinstallation of SEP, it cannot run liveupdate because there is no internet connection. I have been working this for the last 3 days and its starting to drive me a little crazy! lol...
I could sure use a hand!