Only web browsers unable to connect

[garymce]

Hi

I've had this kind of problem once before but it was a long time ago and I can't remember exactly how I repaired it other than through the use of regsvr32 from the command prompt.

I've been given a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop with Windows Vista. It's unable to access the web from either Internet Explorer or Firefox. It seems that the RSS feeds in the Windows Sidebar as well as pinging and traceroute are having no problems accessing the internet.

I've been searching google for solutions, I've tried various commands such as "sfc /scannow", "netsh winsock reset", "regsvr32 actxprxy.dll" and "regsvr32 shdocvw.dll".

Whenever I try to access a page in IE7, the address bar turns to "http:///" from whatever it was previously, and IE7 says "The address is not valid". I thought it might be a DNS problem but even trying to access a page via an IP address isn't working.

I'm rather stumped now, I'd rather not have to do a repair install of Vista if it can be helped but I'm out of ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
-Gary

 

[chrisaroz]

Have you checked proxy and network adapter settings? I too have had this same issue and don't remember how I fixed it.

I really start a personal wiki for this stuff.

 

[garymce]

Yeah the proxy is unchecked, I've tried it with "automatically detect settings" both checked and unchecked. Neither worked.

 

[iisjman07]

One of the things I'd check is Internet Explorer's proxy settings: Tools>Internet Options>Connections>LAN Settings and untick the proxy box. Failing that I'd reset all of IE's settings by going Tools>Internet Options>Advanced and pressing the 'reset' button. If neither work then I highly recommend installing MalwareBytes' Antimalware and seeing if that picks up anything.

EDIT: Damn, was beaten by 2 people... I must improve my typing speed

 

[kagman]

Disable any security software. Might also be a virus of some kind to .

 

[rockhoptec]

Did you check the registry for:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\DefaultPrefix =
(Default) REG_SZ http://

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes=

home REG_SZ http://
mosaic REG_SZ http://
WWW REG_SZ http://

 

[jimmm33]

I solved this problem once by running the Norton Removal Tool.

 

[chrisaroz]

YES! That's what it was the last time, now I remember! There was Norton Firewall remnants and their tool fixed it. Give it a shot.

 

[Vicenarian]

winsockfix? I have no idea. I just know I had this problem on a different computer where everything but internet would work, and resetting winsock fixed it.

 

[Cuban_Tech]

Run the Norton Removal Tool or the McAfee Removal Tool.

 

[kagman]

Lol its always those kinds of products that mess up windows. lol

 

[garymce]

Sorry for the late reply, I'd have sworn I told the forum to email me when there was a response, apparently I forgot.

The laptop had Norton 360 on it, so I followed your advice and ran the removal tool. It seems like the owners had already tried to remove Norton themselves as the processes weren't running, trying to run it resulted in being spammed with error messages, and there were no entries for Norton in the Start Menu either. The removal tool finished the job and lo and behold, the web browsers are working fine now. God damn Norton...

Big, big thanks for the help guys, I'd assumed that the fact Norton wasn't running any processes on the machine would be enough for it not to be affecting things but I guess they'd buried their tendrils deeper than I thought

 

[hardtoremember]

Run the Norton Removal Tool or the McAfee Removal Tool.

Probably what it is too. I had that problem on a computer with McAffee a few months back. What loads of garbage those two programs are!

 

[DarDar]

I run them on most machines i get in. If the cust isn't running one of their apps now, they probably were when they bought the machine!

 

[flychromeboy]

Run the Norton Removal Tool or the McAfee Removal Tool.

I second that. Norton & McAfee are the source of alot of internet connection problems. Removing them through the associated removal tools as worked for me several times