bswan4

Hello,
This is my first entry here so I hope I picked the most appropriate forum.

On a Windows 98 ver 4.10.1998 with IE ver 6.0.2800.1106IC with SP1 and other installed updates (none downloaded recently), I have lost capacity go online. The 2Wire DSL icon indicates connection is "down" though lights on phone line to USB port adapter are solid green as usual. Though dial-up modem will successfully connect at usual speed, I cannot upload or download any information. Trying to update anti-virus or anti-spyware programs with phone modem or DSL connection results in message like "error connecting to update server." Starting IE when connected by modem or DSL results in error message "Microsoft Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." Technical report shows error signature "ModName: unknown" and reporting details list 30 or 40 modules always ending with "Module xx KERNEL32.DLL" followed by many lines of numbers and letters. Starting IE with no modem or DSL connection works as usual, displaying "the page cannot be displayed."

This began 3 days ago when computer stopped booting up at an error message involving a missing file or registry entry "vsdata95.vxd" After a Google search (on our other computer), I deleted the Registry reference to vsdata95.vxd (apparantly left over from ZoneAlarm which was removed many months ago) and computer has since booted up without problem. Interestingly, the Windows calender was off by 2 days with some message about setting clock for daylight savings time at that point, but no changes in date/time since then (Battery problems?).

Unsuccessful, often repeated, attempts to fix this have included:
--uninstalled and reinstalled Yahoo DSL and 2Wire software and driver (Yahoo DSL installation always now hangs at "attempting to make connection." (Currently this software is uninstalled to keep things simpler and as phone modem does make connection but also cannot download or upload.)

--ran AdAware, SpyBot, TweakNow Registry Cleaner (all old versions as cannot update online), CW Shredder, and non-updated AVG antivirus. AdAware found and deleted "Alexa" entries and AVG found "Stubby B" trojan now moved to an archived recycle file (can't figure how or if I need to delete it from there). Ran all these programs under regular Windows bootup and later under Safe Mode.

--deleted IE objects, temporary files, cookies.

--"Repaired" IE program under "add/remove programs" (but don't think this is an IE problem as no other program can make an online connection.)
I've never used Hijack This but do have it installed on the computer and so could run it if advised to do so (and then I'd need to post in the HJT forum, correct?).

Will provide any additonal info that might help. I will appreciate any advice on further things to try.
thank you kindly in advance.

Geekgirl

Hello and Welcome to TSF

You may need to change the CMOS battery


Try Running the System File Checker

Go to the Run box on the Start Menu and type in:

sfc /scannow ( sfc if not reconized)

This command will immediately initiate the Windows File Protection service to scan all protected files and verify their integrity, replacing any files with which it finds a problem. You will need your Windows cd.

Also Download WinsockFix and unzip it to a folder on your Desktop. Then double-click on it to run it.

Try to connect to the interent and see if those suggestions have helped

bswan4

thanks so much for this help.
sfc found no corrupted files and a search for the word "2005" in the log file showed that no files had been changed around the time this problem began.

Then WinsockFix cured the problem. The computer is back online, all antivirus and antispyware programs updated and run.

I can only hope that the CMOS battery is not failing--have had no further date/time changes since the onset of this problem (though maybe I could replace if it does fail--this isn't something I should try to do before it fails, is it?).

After spending many hours on this issue before posting here, I really appreciate your assistance, as does my son whose computer had the problem.

Geekgirl

I'm happy to hear your back on line
As for your CMOS battery if your system is not keeping time then thats a good indication it needs replaced. The CMOS retains settings such as the time, keyboard settings, and boot sequence.