Browser Conundrum

[frase]

I got a laptop from a customer, They had major issues due to slowness of laptop ie - virus. Though unfortuanatly someone else had worked on it previously (their neighbour).

Initially the problem was described as the fake security prompt that has been going around. I wish they had of bought it to me in the 1st place, nothing worse than a second surgeon coming in mid cardiac arrest, whilst the first has gone

No problem, though after I did what I needed to do with the users laptop - only running what I normally do -

Basic prelim tests - startups - regedit - check /sys32 and host file
'removed the known obvious startup entries'
Rootkit scan
BartPE Disk with avast 2009
Malwareanti scan
Spybot S&D

The only issue was I did not check originally for network connectivity. So now I have the laptop back here with minimal service fee paid and a live connection but no browser access. It only replys to the one ping then times out.

I have tried everything -

Defaulting IE settings
Clearing all temp files and app local & roaming + cookies etc
usual flushing DNS, ip and renew
Checking DNS is correct
reseting winsock
putting on bluesocks and spinning around///

Im out of ideas btw is running Vista Home Premium, still should be resolved..I give up

I think I am going to say I can backup all your data, but unfortunatlly your system is FUBAR and needs total format now as who knows what the neighbour has done? This will entail of course an extra charge of $xxx.xx

 

[TLE]

What does ipconfig /all output?
Is Proxy ticked in IE Connections?
Host file ok?
Is the system set to automatically obtain an IP?

 

[frase]

yea all above seems ok.

Already went over those steps thanks..Has me stumped really as I am out of ideas.

 

[TLE]

Just out of interest what does ipconfig /all output? Can you post it here.

 

[frase]

it does post the usual config that it should

 

[TLE]

Have tried uninstalling the driver and then re-booting to reinstal the driver?

 

[frase]

yeap done that..still no go.
Its FUBAR essentially, I dont know what the previous person has done.
Though I have reset all services etc and still no browser but connection.

..a mystery to me?

 

[TLE]

So am i right in thinking you get back a valid IP, you can see the network, but have no internet access?

Have you tried another browser other than IE?
What antivirus software is installed?

 

[frase]

I have tried portable FF on a usb
I have made the laptop naked - no av - removed avira
Yeap giving me gateway, dns and IP

Ping 74.86.143.2
- only get one reply with 75% loss

also of not wifi with excellent connection status

 

[TLE]

Have you tried ping and tracert to see how far it's getting, or to see if you are getting a valid DNS?

 

[The Silent Hobo]

This is gonna sound stupid, but maybe check to see if the internet options had it running through a proxy? I know one of the guy's i work with has a problem like that, where it'll enable the proxy options under connections in the internet options by itself.

 

[frase]

Yea tried that as well initially Hobo , was no go..got me stumped!

 

[mjbasford]

Have you tried the nic in a boot disk to eliminate a hardware issue?

 

[TLE]

To be honest it sounds to me like you have missed a rootkit or some kind of redirect. Using a boot disc would certainly discount it being a hardware issue.

Have you tried runnning HijackThis or OTL, the logs may show something you have missed.

 

[frase]

FIXED!

Was the modem/router itself, went out and purchased a new router and no problems.

Grrrr....

Thanks all

 

[mjbasford]

so you were having this problem on all your computers?

 

[frase]

Main desktop pc was fine - using ethernet not wifi though
other 3 laptops would not browse but would connect using wifi or ethernet.

Fixed what I needed to for the clients and got them out in time
Told one of the clients to bring the pc directly to myself next time as is difficult sorting issues out when someone else has been tinkering.

So now im relaxing on a hot aussie day sinking a few brews, ahhhhhh