>>>I think I know more about the problem (or other problems). Here is the list of the findings:
>>>
>>>1. I entered BIOS and see no changes from default. NIC is enabled just as it was before
>>>2. The Docking station is "broken". I mentioned that my cordless keyboard stopped working and that the sound no longer was going from the monitor speakers. This is the reason. The cordless keyboard transmitter was plugged into the Docking station. The cable to monitor speakers was plugged into the Audio Out in the Docking station. I also have an external hard drive plugged into a USB of the Docking station. None of the devices using the Docking station work. The only thing that Docking stations does send through to and from the computer is the video signal.
>>>So I suppose everything started with Docking stations going down.
>>>3. So, from this point, as much as hate not to have Docking station available (pain to connect everything every morning), I will start troubleshooting/testing without Docking stations.
>>>4. The Network connection still does not work (the wireless does work; this is how I am communication in UT now).
>>
>>If the docking station appears "broken" don't use it at all, even if some components seem to be working. Also, while you are testing the wired connection, turn off or disable the wireless adapter. Many current laptops have a physical switch you can use to turn off the wireless radio. Or, you can disable the adapter in the control panel networking applet.
>>
>>With the laptop not connected to the docking station, does your wired networking function at all?
>>
>>One final test you should do is to try connecting with a "known good" connection. Select another computer in the office with a wired connection that is working properly, temporarily disconnect its network cable from the computer, and plug your laptop into that cable. That will be a known good cable connected to a known good port on the switch/hub. If that still doesn't work (you don't get LED indication of a connection and/or network activity) then you probably have hardware failure.
>>
>>If your laptop is still under warranty you can call the manufacturer and ask them if there are any hardware diagnostics you can run to test the functionality of the network adapter. Even if not under warranty you may be able to find diagnostics on the maker's web site. Another possibility is Broadcom may offer diagnostics; they may even be built-in to the control panel applet installed on your system.
>
>I already stopped using the docking station. Funny thing I remember that I had another docking station about 6-8 years ago (with another DELL computer) and it too broke after some time.
>
>I already tried to plug in the cable that works on another computer in my office. To no avail.
>
>My notebook is not under warranty (it is about 4.5 years old and I chose not to buy extended). I will use it for now over wireless network and try to "move" to the new computer (about 1.5 years old) that I have been meaning to move to.
>
>The Boradcom utility suite has a diagnostics page/tab but when I go there and run the test, it hangs on one of the steps. Interesting that after attempting to run the diagnostics test, it show "poor or no connection" but still no connection.
>
>Thank you for your help.

Another shot in the dark..! Some network cards have built logic to check whether you use a "straight" network cable, or a "crossover" cable, and automatically reverse the signals. These crossover cables are typically used between two computers, since the Send and Receive signals are sent to the Receive and Send pins on the other end. This means that if your cable is a crossover cable, it may work on your new machine with intelligent circuitry, but not on your old laptop. So I suggest that you check the cable. A "straight" cable will have the two RJ45 plugs connected equally in both ends, meaning the same colored conductor is connect to the same pins.