Is there any way for you to verify the internet connection itself? To me, it sounds like this is an ISP related problem and not Linux, because Linux detected your network card.
Tests you can try:
Ping:
ping google.com
(Should return packets, "cannot look up host" is a sign the network's down. Quit with CTRL-C.)
Refreshing DHCP:
dhcpcd eth0
Whereeth0 is your network card. Requires root access.
If you've got a router, you may want to try a DHCP refresh on that to, and check the network status of both your WAN and LAN. Make sure everything looks OK.
John A
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Your DHCP is acting up. IP addresses of 169.254.*.* indicate that the address was the result of a failed attempt to get an IP address with the dhcpcd command.
If dhcpcd doesn't change your IP address from 169.254.*.*, then you should definitely contact your ISP as it seems like this is something to do with your ISP. Especially the fact that you said you didn't change anything; it's most likely you didn't. ;)
John A
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