I tried the PPOE both ways - on the modem and on the router. Seems to work best on the router.
I should have been clearer - all of my computers that are wired to my home network have excellent connections and no problem accessing the web.
It is only my wireless connection that is the problem. The laptop says I am connected to my wireless network, signal excellent, IP assigned by my router, but cannot surf the web or access email.
Also, from the laptop I cannot ping anything. from any other computer in my home pinging yahoo.com and elsewhere is not an issue.
Still looking for that one little thing that I have overlooked - anyone have any ideas??