Internet connected but can't use a browser

Hi am trying to fix a problem for a friend of mine on his Dell Inspiron
1720-1418 which is running Vista Home Premium and all is fine apart from
Internet Explorer cannot connect to the internet. I DO have a working
internet connection and am able to download Windows updates and updates for
Spybot (although not for NOD32, Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware !!) I have
run the latest version of these utilities and cleaned out some small issues
appropriately. Next downloaded Firefox incase IE had become corrupted but
exactly the same deal.
I next thought maybe it's a firewall issue and as my working knowledge on
the vista firewall is pretty flakey I decided to download, via my PC, a copy
of Zone Alarm.
The Dell will not allow me to install because the drivers are not compatible
!!
Tried different firewalls from different manufacturers but the same deal.
And of course the repair option is not available as there is no back up to
work from, for which I will gently thank my friend...
Really really desperately need some help on this one
TIA

I would suspect malware. Look for the text file
%windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS (no extension, just HOSTS)

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...help_en-us.htm
Use the "Ratings" feature. It helps the new users.
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Mark.Ferguson

"El.Plates" <> wrote in message
news:F61F2BF5-4230-4CF8-9BD6-...
> Hi am trying to fix a problem for a friend of mine on his Dell Inspiron
> 1720-1418 which is running Vista Home Premium and all is fine apart from
> Internet Explorer cannot connect to the internet. I DO have a working
> internet connection and am able to download Windows updates and updates
> for Spybot (although not for NOD32, Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware !!) I
> have run the latest version of these utilities and cleaned out some small
> issues appropriately. Next downloaded Firefox incase IE had become
> corrupted but exactly the same deal.
> I next thought maybe it's a firewall issue and as my working knowledge on
> the vista firewall is pretty flakey I decided to download, via my PC, a
> copy of Zone Alarm.
> The Dell will not allow me to install because the drivers are not
> compatible !!
> Tried different firewalls from different manufacturers but the same deal.
> And of course the repair option is not available as there is no back up to
> work from, for which I will gently thank my friend...
> Really really desperately need some help on this one
> TIA

"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
message news:226B140A-F267-407D-8651-...
> I would suspect malware. Look for the text file
> %windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS (no extension, just HOSTS)

Thank you for the reply Mark , I have run that search and it didn't turn up
"%windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS".
Just a thought ,do you think installing the mvps host file might solve the
issue ?
Thanks again

If IE7 won't connect, have you checked in its Menu Bar>File>Work Offline is
unticked?
--
Mad Mike


"El.Plates" wrote:

>
>
> "Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
> message news:226B140A-F267-407D-8651-...
> > I would suspect malware. Look for the text file
> > %windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS (no extension, just HOSTS)
>
> Thank you for the reply Mark , I have run that search and it didn't turn up
> "%windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS".
> Just a thought ,do you think installing the mvps host file might solve the
> issue ?
> Thanks again
>

Nothing wrong with trying it, but lacking it to start with puts my
suggestion in doubt. IE has a Connection tab in it's Properties (tools menu,
Options). Take a look at what is going on there. If Firefox is failing too,
things like Add-ons are also unlikely candidates. I would open the "Default
Programs" app in Control Panel and see if the Protocols, like http: look
right.

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...help_en-us.htm
Use the "Ratings" feature. It helps the new users.
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Mark.Ferguson

"El.Plates" <> wrote in message
news:50E6B6F8-0F95-464C-8092-...
>
>
> "Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
> message news:226B140A-F267-407D-8651-...
>> I would suspect malware. Look for the text file
>> %windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS (no extension, just HOSTS)
>
> Thank you for the reply Mark , I have run that search and it didn't turn
> up "%windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS".
> Just a thought ,do you think installing the mvps host file might solve the
> issue ?
> Thanks again

"Mick Murphy" <> wrote in message
news:9CA19A24-181F-4909-9D8C-...
> If IE7 won't connect, have you checked in its Menu Bar>File>Work Offline
> is
> unticked?
> --
> Mad Mike
>
>
Yes that was the first port of call but thanks anyway Mick

"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
message news:9993CB6A-93C4-4729-93CE-...
> Nothing wrong with trying it, but lacking it to start with puts my
> suggestion in doubt. IE has a Connection tab in it's Properties (tools
> menu, Options). Take a look at what is going on there. If Firefox is
> failing too, things like Add-ons are also unlikely candidates. I would
> open the "Default Programs" app in Control Panel and see if the Protocols,
> like http: look right.
>
> --

Yea I changed the host file with no change in operational functionality.
Will have a look now at your latest kind suggestion !!
Thanks again

> ...I am able to download Windows updates and updates for
> Spybot (although not for NOD32, Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware !!)

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjunction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

El.Plates wrote:
> Hi am trying to fix a problem for a friend of mine on his Dell Inspiron
> 1720-1418 which is running Vista Home Premium and all is fine apart from
> Internet Explorer cannot connect to the internet. I DO have a working
> internet connection and am able to download Windows updates and updates
> for
> Spybot (although not for NOD32, Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware !!) I
> have
> run the latest version of these utilities and cleaned out some small
> issues
> appropriately. Next downloaded Firefox incase IE had become corrupted but
> exactly the same deal.
> I next thought maybe it's a firewall issue and as my working knowledge on
> the vista firewall is pretty flakey I decided to download, via my PC, a
> copy
> of Zone Alarm.
> The Dell will not allow me to install because the drivers are not
> compatible
> !!
> Tried different firewalls from different manufacturers but the same deal.
> And of course the repair option is not available as there is no back up to
> work from, for which I will gently thank my friend...
> Really really desperately need some help on this one
> TIA

Try this ... Open up your command prompt and run it as administrator
Type cd\ then enter.

Then type: ipconfig /release (then hit enter

let it release your connection .. then type: ipconfig /renew (then hi
enter

Let it sit for a minute until it finishes renewing your connection .
and this should fix your problem

--
Jsh128

"Music and movies are more about the memories they create. You're mor
likely to remember the personal relationships than anything else"

In article <226B140A-F267-407D-8651->,
Mark L. Ferguson <> wrote:
>I would suspect malware. Look for the text file
>%windir%/system32/drivers/etc/HOSTS (no extension, just HOSTS)
>

I would suspect improper network configuration, i.e., bad
DNS. Is it set to use a static IP or some such problem?