Ok guys, thank you. I've done all that and still either 'Navigation to the webpage is cancelled' or 'Cannot display the webpage' is the answer.
I have checked time and time again that I am typing the right addresses and have tried all links and the IP address. Mrs mcdhu went to work and got through first time but the link from the confirmation 'noreply' email doesn't work - same as before.
So all I haven't done is the 'pinging' business and connecting my PC straight to the modem not via the router, but I don't see how I can do that when the thing is an all-in one modem router (Netgear DG834G).
Perhaps I'll register the lad via pen and paper!!
Thanks again,
mcdhu