[SOLVED] Windows ME internet trouble

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 04:18 AM

Trying to fix someone's HP Think I have it working all except the internet now, but it does work on the network.

When I open IE5 and type in a URL (examlpe www.yahoo.com, http://www.yahoo.com etc.) it shows the usualy page when internet is not detected, except the URL that I just typed in becomes something like

Code:

http:///%20www.yahoo.com

.

Network:
multiple Windows XP machines and a Macintosh plugged in router, to the DSL modem.

I have experienced this problem myself a couple times many years ago, but my simple fix was to fromat the HD and reinstall Windows, lol. I would liek to learn how to actually fix it though if anyone can provide information.

I suspect internet would work fine, it's just some malware program (There where many I had to clean up after) altered the way URLs are typed in IE. But I'm guessing. Like I said it works fine on the LAN. Files transfer back and forth between the other comptuers to this Windows ME HP machine.

Tomorrow I'll try installing and using an instant messenger like Yahoo to see if that works on internet, as when I've seen this error before, everything worked online except IE (years ago).

Thanks in advance.

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 04:38 AM

I guess I should also add what settings I used for the network:
I set an IP of 192.168.1.9 (instead of automatic IP).

Defalt router 192.168.1.1 (Linksys' default router IP).

For DNS, I did both no DNS and manually inputted DNS of what was shown on the router's status page (also manually inputted it for all the other computer on my network. I observed that the internet starts working immediatly when I filled in the DNS instead of having it search for it automatically, where it takes a while for it to go online with the other computers in the past when I added it to the LAN). The DNS I put in are 68.238.64.12 and 68.238.128.12.

On that same page under host, I put in the computer name as HPPAV, and I'm not on a domain, but I think it required one anyways so I just typed in what my workgroup was. I also tryed it leaving the Host and Domain fields blank.

Restarted the computer after every change as required for Windows ME (lot of idle time.....picked up my violin a few times haha)

I kept everything else as default.

I have used Windows 95 through ME years ago, never had any trouble networking (after I learned how, took a while lol). I know it's a little more picky than the XP I have gotten used to but I don't think I've done anything wrong.

Again thanks for the help in advance, even if I did miss something.

Geekgirl · 01-10-2008, 04:41 AM

Your IE is not up-to-date
Download Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 03:17 PM

Yeah the whole system is out of date. Won't IE7 work on ME by the way? Haven't looked up the system requirements yet for 7. I have it on some of my XPs already.

Geekgirl · 01-10-2008, 04:30 PM

No it does not support Win ME

Below are the minimum requirements your computer needs to run Internet Explorer 7. Some components may require additional system resources not outlined below.
Computer/Processor - Computer with a 233MHz processor or higher (Pentium processor recommended)
Operating System - Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Memory
For Internet Explorer 7:

* Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) - 64 MB
* Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - 128 MB
* Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) - 64 MB
* Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 ia64 - 128 MB

Drive - CD-ROM drive (if installation is done from a CD-ROM)

Display - Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors

Peripherals - Modem or Internet connection; Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...ie/sysreq.mspx

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 05:05 PM

Thanks, I was thinking the earlier Wnidows versions would not work with IE7 too.

An update on the internet problem...still there.

I went to install several instant messengers (AIM, Yahoo, MSN) to see if it would connect to internet, and they did not. I also tryed that Firefox internet browser.

Finally I pinged several IPs on my network (even though I knew the network works, that is how I got the instant messenger and that other browser to the HP) and a few on the internet URLs like Yahoo, MSN etc, and got 0%loss.

So it is connected to the internet but nothing can use it? Firewall maybee? No firewalls on my network, however, when I did get the computer to work on, it did have Mcaffee anticirus and Personal firewall on it, I uninstalled it (or thought I did?).

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 06:38 PM

I tryed downloading that IE6 from the link you gave me on your first post, but it is just a 480kb setup file.

How do you download the actual program without running the setup program...since the Win ME computer can't get on the internet yet for some reson, and all my other computers has "a newer version of IE is already installed" as that setup program indicates when I ran it (lol).

It probably dosen't matter yet anyways until I figure out what the trouble is with the internet, and then can actually run the download and install program...

Aviator19 · 01-10-2008, 11:50 PM

Well, after trying to find an answer on my own all afternoon via other sites I eventually found it.

Hope I didn't type too much, lol. Trying to be as detailed as I possibly can.

I came accross one link about newdotnet. It had something to the effect of internet not working in the same sentence so I clicked on it for a read.

Newdotnet, the last dll file I deleted (before comming here with my lack of internet interactivity problem), which stopped Windows from comming up with the "explorer (and ntdetect, they took turns lol) has caused an error in (unknown)" diolague box that kept poping up everytime I had windows explorer, internet explorer, firefox or some other programs open.

I had to go into safe mode to delete that file. But since this was done before I came here asking about the internet problem, it was not the subject. But It probably should have been. I could not interact with the internet before I deletet that dll file so I didn't type about it earlier as I thought nothing about it but just another malware I wanted off the system.

From where I read, this is recomended for Windows 95 through ME, not the newer versions which may be different with the way the registry works, though it looks like I could use the same procedure with XP, I don't know. This problem never came up in XP for me so I have had nothing to experament with yet. I upgraded to XP as soon as it came out so it's been years that I've used it. Much better than the erlier versions, although I do still play with the older machines alot still, like this HP. So anyways...

But here's what I did...I went into add/remove programs, Windows setup tab, Communications:
I just unchecked everything there. Before you do that though, verify the .cab files for the Windows installation are not corrupt and are the correct version. The dates should match that of the win.com file.

Then I deleted a few things in the registry, restarted the computer, reinstalled the componants that where in Communications, restarted, configured the network settings again and went right to Windows updates (yes I have IE6 installed on it now).

The registry:
Back it up first!
Verify it's backed up.
okay...delete, actually just renaming them should work just as well, probably safer that way, after you backed it up.

HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Remote Access
HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Winsock
HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Winsock2

I hope it helps for others who where in similar situations as I was. As I continue to learn things about Windows on my own though I guess I should be looking for a job haha. Too bad there are not any computer tech jobs in my town.

So in the end, my situation was (or the person who owns the computer I was volunteered to work on) one (or more) malware programs altered the internet settings like Winsock. The internet might have continued to work fine if the program that altered it remained intact but I don't know. The computer just locked up as soon as Windows loaded so there was no time to even click on anything. First thing I did was delete stuff as my anti-virus program found them.

I had to enter safe mode for that, and I ran the virus scan from another computer via my network. Remember networking worked, just not the internet, that was the problem I was trying to fix in the first place, after getting all the threats off.

But the system still locked up (normal mode) until I cleared all the programs that autoran when Windows loaded, like looking in the start menu/programs/startup and also the usual place in the registry I play with:
Back it up before you change it

HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

I Found out about some of the programs on Microsoft's sysinternals site which helped out too, like process explorer, and the autorun editing program (Which I could have gone to instead of regedit probably). So since I already deleted most of the stuff I knew needed not be in the run registry (I've played in there for a few years now so I'm kind of familiar with what dosen't have to be there and what should stay by experience - experience as in lots of reinstalling Windows in the past lol).

So at this point the proceses explorer helped in finding what was happening while I was getting those "explorer caused error in (unknown)" box. Another would pop up again as soon as I closed it. Turned out to be that newdotnet.dll thing as I noticed it in the processes explorer everytime the error poped up (recognizing patterns).

I know I may have typed a bit much to read but I hope it helps someone less knowlegable in the future. It happened to me too a few years ago on my own system. I already said what my solution was. But it was not newdotnet.dll that time so I don't know, some things might still be around that would keep Windows 95 through ME from interacting with the internet.

**OldGrayGary** · 01-11-2008, 12:58 AM

Hi all

Aviator -- I hadn't noticed your thread earlier, but should you ever have to fix Internet connectivity post-malware-cleanup for a Win9x/Me/2000/XP system again, you could also try the Winsockfix utility (which actually does automatically much of what your did manually) --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257

Nice work - you cleaned things up pretty thoroughly. I think your friend owes you dinner and a movie.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

Aviator19 · 01-11-2008, 02:43 AM

Thanks. I like learning how to do things manually. I kind of don't trust auto stuff unless I know exactly what it does. I haven't learned anything about programming yet but I've been meaning too....just don't know where to look.

Geekgirl · 01-11-2008, 08:43 AM

If I would have known about newdotnet being on the system I would have directed the OP to the security forum for a cleanup.
I just cleaned one up yesterday with newdotnet on it, also have 5 trojans

Aviator19 · 01-11-2008, 04:14 PM

So I guess it really was that one thing, newdotnet, that did all the trouble after I cleaned everything else off.

Aviator19 · 01-11-2008, 08:07 PM

This system had so many threats when I did the initial virus scan I didn't bother to remember the number. But up to now it looks like I don't have to formad and reinstall windows. I think I've sucessfully cleaned up a system the hard way for once. I was bored enough anyways lol.

Now on to the next problem...

01-10-2008, 04:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	[SOLVED] Windows ME internet trouble Trying to fix someone's HP Think I have it working all except the internet now, but it does work on the network. When I open IE5 and type in a URL (examlpe www.yahoo.com, http://www.yahoo.com etc.) it shows the usualy page when internet is not detected, except the URL that I just typed in becomes something like Code: http:///%20www.yahoo.com . Network: multiple Windows XP machines and a Macintosh plugged in router, to the DSL modem. I have experienced this problem myself a couple times many years ago, but my simple fix was to fromat the HD and reinstall Windows, lol. I would liek to learn how to actually fix it though if anyone can provide information. I suspect internet would work fine, it's just some malware program (There where many I had to clean up after) altered the way URLs are typed in IE. But I'm guessing. Like I said it works fine on the LAN. Files transfer back and forth between the other comptuers to this Windows ME HP machine. Tomorrow I'll try installing and using an instant messenger like Yahoo to see if that works on internet, as when I've seen this error before, everything worked online except IE (years ago). Thanks in advance. Last edited by Jason; 01-10-2008 at 06:02 PM.

01-10-2008, 04:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble I guess I should also add what settings I used for the network: I set an IP of 192.168.1.9 (instead of automatic IP). Defalt router 192.168.1.1 (Linksys' default router IP). For DNS, I did both no DNS and manually inputted DNS of what was shown on the router's status page (also manually inputted it for all the other computer on my network. I observed that the internet starts working immediatly when I filled in the DNS instead of having it search for it automatically, where it takes a while for it to go online with the other computers in the past when I added it to the LAN). The DNS I put in are 68.238.64.12 and 68.238.128.12. On that same page under host, I put in the computer name as HPPAV, and I'm not on a domain, but I think it required one anyways so I just typed in what my workgroup was. I also tryed it leaving the Host and Domain fields blank. Restarted the computer after every change as required for Windows ME (lot of idle time.....picked up my violin a few times haha) I kept everything else as default. I have used Windows 95 through ME years ago, never had any trouble networking (after I learned how, took a while lol). I know it's a little more picky than the XP I have gotten used to but I don't think I've done anything wrong. Again thanks for the help in advance, even if I did miss something.

01-10-2008, 04:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,164 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Your IE is not up-to-date Download Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-10-2008, 03:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Yeah the whole system is out of date. Won't IE7 work on ME by the way? Haven't looked up the system requirements yet for 7. I have it on some of my XPs already.

01-10-2008, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,164 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: Windows ME internet trouble No it does not support Win ME Below are the minimum requirements your computer needs to run Internet Explorer 7. Some components may require additional system resources not outlined below. Computer/Processor - Computer with a 233MHz processor or higher (Pentium processor recommended) Operating System - Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Memory For Internet Explorer 7: * Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) - 64 MB * Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - 128 MB * Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) - 64 MB * Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 ia64 - 128 MB Drive - CD-ROM drive (if installation is done from a CD-ROM) Display - Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors Peripherals - Modem or Internet connection; Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...ie/sysreq.mspx __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-10-2008, 05:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Thanks, I was thinking the earlier Wnidows versions would not work with IE7 too. An update on the internet problem...still there. I went to install several instant messengers (AIM, Yahoo, MSN) to see if it would connect to internet, and they did not. I also tryed that Firefox internet browser. Finally I pinged several IPs on my network (even though I knew the network works, that is how I got the instant messenger and that other browser to the HP) and a few on the internet URLs like Yahoo, MSN etc, and got 0%loss. So it is connected to the internet but nothing can use it? Firewall maybee? No firewalls on my network, however, when I did get the computer to work on, it did have Mcaffee anticirus and Personal firewall on it, I uninstalled it (or thought I did?).

01-10-2008, 06:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble I tryed downloading that IE6 from the link you gave me on your first post, but it is just a 480kb setup file. How do you download the actual program without running the setup program...since the Win ME computer can't get on the internet yet for some reson, and all my other computers has "a newer version of IE is already installed" as that setup program indicates when I ran it (lol). It probably dosen't matter yet anyways until I figure out what the trouble is with the internet, and then can actually run the download and install program...

01-10-2008, 11:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Well, after trying to find an answer on my own all afternoon via other sites I eventually found it. Hope I didn't type too much, lol. Trying to be as detailed as I possibly can. I came accross one link about newdotnet. It had something to the effect of internet not working in the same sentence so I clicked on it for a read. Newdotnet, the last dll file I deleted (before comming here with my lack of internet interactivity problem), which stopped Windows from comming up with the "explorer (and ntdetect, they took turns lol) has caused an error in (unknown)" diolague box that kept poping up everytime I had windows explorer, internet explorer, firefox or some other programs open. I had to go into safe mode to delete that file. But since this was done before I came here asking about the internet problem, it was not the subject. But It probably should have been. I could not interact with the internet before I deletet that dll file so I didn't type about it earlier as I thought nothing about it but just another malware I wanted off the system. From where I read, this is recomended for Windows 95 through ME, not the newer versions which may be different with the way the registry works, though it looks like I could use the same procedure with XP, I don't know. This problem never came up in XP for me so I have had nothing to experament with yet. I upgraded to XP as soon as it came out so it's been years that I've used it. Much better than the erlier versions, although I do still play with the older machines alot still, like this HP. So anyways... But here's what I did...I went into add/remove programs, Windows setup tab, Communications: I just unchecked everything there. Before you do that though, verify the .cab files for the Windows installation are not corrupt and are the correct version. The dates should match that of the win.com file. Then I deleted a few things in the registry, restarted the computer, reinstalled the componants that where in Communications, restarted, configured the network settings again and went right to Windows updates (yes I have IE6 installed on it now). The registry: Back it up first! Verify it's backed up. okay...delete, actually just renaming them should work just as well, probably safer that way, after you backed it up. HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Remote Access HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2 HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Winsock HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\Winsock2 I hope it helps for others who where in similar situations as I was. As I continue to learn things about Windows on my own though I guess I should be looking for a job haha. Too bad there are not any computer tech jobs in my town. So in the end, my situation was (or the person who owns the computer I was volunteered to work on) one (or more) malware programs altered the internet settings like Winsock. The internet might have continued to work fine if the program that altered it remained intact but I don't know. The computer just locked up as soon as Windows loaded so there was no time to even click on anything. First thing I did was delete stuff as my anti-virus program found them. I had to enter safe mode for that, and I ran the virus scan from another computer via my network. Remember networking worked, just not the internet, that was the problem I was trying to fix in the first place, after getting all the threats off. But the system still locked up (normal mode) until I cleared all the programs that autoran when Windows loaded, like looking in the start menu/programs/startup and also the usual place in the registry I play with: Back it up before you change it HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run I Found out about some of the programs on Microsoft's sysinternals site which helped out too, like process explorer, and the autorun editing program (Which I could have gone to instead of regedit probably). So since I already deleted most of the stuff I knew needed not be in the run registry (I've played in there for a few years now so I'm kind of familiar with what dosen't have to be there and what should stay by experience - experience as in lots of reinstalling Windows in the past lol). So at this point the proceses explorer helped in finding what was happening while I was getting those "explorer caused error in (unknown)" box. Another would pop up again as soon as I closed it. Turned out to be that newdotnet.dll thing as I noticed it in the processes explorer everytime the error poped up (recognizing patterns). I know I may have typed a bit much to read but I hope it helps someone less knowlegable in the future. It happened to me too a few years ago on my own system. I already said what my solution was. But it was not newdotnet.dll that time so I don't know, some things might still be around that would keep Windows 95 through ME from interacting with the internet.

01-11-2008, 12:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Hi all Aviator -- I hadn't noticed your thread earlier, but should you ever have to fix Internet connectivity post-malware-cleanup for a Win9x/Me/2000/XP system again, you could also try the Winsockfix utility (which actually does automatically much of what your did manually) --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257 Nice work - you cleaned things up pretty thoroughly. I think your friend owes you dinner and a movie. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________

01-11-2008, 02:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble Thanks. I like learning how to do things manually. I kind of don't trust auto stuff unless I know exactly what it does. I haven't learned anything about programming yet but I've been meaning too....just don't know where to look.

01-11-2008, 08:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,164 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: Windows ME internet trouble If I would have known about newdotnet being on the system I would have directed the OP to the security forum for a cleanup. I just cleaned one up yesterday with newdotnet on it, also have 5 trojans __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-11-2008, 04:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: Windows ME internet trouble So I guess it really was that one thing, newdotnet, that did all the trouble after I cleaned everything else off.

01-11-2008, 08:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
Aviator19 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hemet, CA, USA Posts: 73 OS: Windows XP SP2 (32 bit, or 64 bit) My System	Re: [SOLVED] Windows ME internet trouble This system had so many threats when I did the initial virus scan I didn't bother to remember the number. But up to now it looks like I don't have to formad and reinstall windows. I think I've sucessfully cleaned up a system the hard way for once. I was bored enough anyways lol. Now on to the next problem...