SP2 installed; can't connect to internet

I'm running XP Home. The reason I'm able to post this now
is because, after installing SP2 and encountering the
below problem, I did a system restore to a time before my
SP2 download and install.

On Wednesday (9/22) I installed Windows SP2. The
installation appeared to go without a hitch.

Thereafter, when I tried to access the internet (both web
and mail), I couldn't. I then noticed a new icon in the
system tray which I clicked. It produced a window
entitled "Local area connection status". It
stated "Limited or no connectivity. You might not be able
to access the internet or some network resources. The
problem occurred because the network did not assign a
network address to the computer."

Most importantly, my computer is set up with a cable modem
and a router/wireless access point. Although I have this
problem, my wife HAS NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER being able to
access the internet with her laptop with its wireless
access card which communicates with my WAP to afford her
internet access. I.e., although I can't access the
internet, she can. Therefore, it appears that this problem
has nothing to do with my cable modem, router/wireless
access point, but rather with settings that were changed
in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express as a result of
the SP2 install.

My computer has a firewall. After installing SP2, I de-
activated its firewall and continued to use my own
(reason: the SP2's firewall intercepts inbound traffic,
but not inbound and outbound as almost all 3rd party
firewalls do). Deactivating my third party firewall so
that I have no firewall at all running still doesn't
permit me to connect to the net.

I also have a spyware program---Spy Sweeper by Webroot.

I have to assume that the installation of SP2 caused the
problem because I had no problem whatsoever before the
installation.

Later in the day yesterday, I left the house. Several
hours later I returned and turned on my computer to see if
I could figure out what was causing my problem. Damned if
I remember what I clicked, but I think--and I'm not sure--
I might have clicked a firewall popup which stated that
something has changed and is it OK to allow access. I
clicked "yes'. I then wanted to see if that had any effect
on my problem and, sure as hell, everything worked just
fine. No more problem whatsoever.

Then, this morning (9/23), I turn on my computer and I'm
back to where I was right after the SP2 install;---same
exact problem. I then did the restore and am now seeking
an answer to what settings the install changed that
preclude me from making an internet connection.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

This may help, well at least try it. Hopefully someone more expert will
come along.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...5BLN%5D;884020

--
Peter.
Toronto, Canada.
Windows XP Home SP2.
P4 Dual HT @ 3.0ghz, 160gb HD, 1.0gb DDR.
"keith" <> wrote in message
news:008c01c4a195$120e69b0$...
> I'm running XP Home. The reason I'm able to post this now
> is because, after installing SP2 and encountering the
> below problem, I did a system restore to a time before my
> SP2 download and install.
>
> On Wednesday (9/22) I installed Windows SP2. The
> installation appeared to go without a hitch.
>
> Thereafter, when I tried to access the internet (both web
> and mail), I couldn't. I then noticed a new icon in the
> system tray which I clicked. It produced a window
> entitled "Local area connection status". It
> stated "Limited or no connectivity. You might not be able
> to access the internet or some network resources. The
> problem occurred because the network did not assign a
> network address to the computer."
>
> Most importantly, my computer is set up with a cable modem
> and a router/wireless access point. Although I have this
> problem, my wife HAS NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER being able to
> access the internet with her laptop with its wireless
> access card which communicates with my WAP to afford her
> internet access. I.e., although I can't access the
> internet, she can. Therefore, it appears that this problem
> has nothing to do with my cable modem, router/wireless
> access point, but rather with settings that were changed
> in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express as a result of
> the SP2 install.
>
> My computer has a firewall. After installing SP2, I de-
> activated its firewall and continued to use my own
> (reason: the SP2's firewall intercepts inbound traffic,
> but not inbound and outbound as almost all 3rd party
> firewalls do). Deactivating my third party firewall so
> that I have no firewall at all running still doesn't
> permit me to connect to the net.
>
> I also have a spyware program---Spy Sweeper by Webroot.
>
> I have to assume that the installation of SP2 caused the
> problem because I had no problem whatsoever before the
> installation.
>
> Later in the day yesterday, I left the house. Several
> hours later I returned and turned on my computer to see if
> I could figure out what was causing my problem. Damned if
> I remember what I clicked, but I think--and I'm not sure--
> I might have clicked a firewall popup which stated that
> something has changed and is it OK to allow access. I
> clicked "yes'. I then wanted to see if that had any effect
> on my problem and, sure as hell, everything worked just
> fine. No more problem whatsoever.
>
> Then, this morning (9/23), I turn on my computer and I'm
> back to where I was right after the SP2 install;---same
> exact problem. I then did the restore and am now seeking
> an answer to what settings the install changed that
> preclude me from making an internet connection.
>
> Thanks for any help you can offer.