Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update

Keturah · 07-20-2007, 09:39 AM

This is the weirdest problem I have ever had with my laptop. I really hope someone can help.

After there was an auto update from firefox this morning, firefox stopped recognizing my internet connection. I tried IE7 and it won't connect either. I couldn't even ping my internet provider through the command prompt. I know that the connection is working because my husband's computer (an identical Toshiba laptop, with the exception that it is 1 year older) is having no problems connecting.

I have restarted the laptop, repaired the connection, repaired the connection again and restarted. Nothing. So I checked the processes list to make sure there was no new malware. Nothing there. I then decided to run Ad-ware and SpyBot just in case. Here is where it gets really, really weird. Both programmes connected and then downloaded the most recent updates! Yet I still can't ping or connect through any browser.

I am running XP on a Toshiba A40 laptop.

Any advice?

**johnwill** · 07-20-2007, 01:08 PM

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2 & Vista.

For XP, Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt.

For Vista, Start, Programs\Accessories and right click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator" to open a command prompt.

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reboot the machine.

Keturah · 07-20-2007, 01:55 PM

Hmm. I followed those instructions but it's still not connecting.

Since then my sister-in-law just ran an XP diagnostic she got errors 12002 and 120029 when trying to connect in the network diagnostics.

I've called Toshiba and D-Links, both to no end.

Keturah · 07-20-2007, 08:01 PM

After a bit of more poking around at the problem, here is some more specific information:

It appears that the only functionality that's been lost is pinging other machines (including LAN members) and browsing via IE or Firefox. Everything else - SpyBot, AdAware, and McAfee updates, even the commandline FTP and Telnet tools (including telnetting to port 80 and sending a GET command to retrieve a webpage) - work just fine. It is getting an IP from the router, the router can see the computer's connection, but no other computer on the network can ping this computer either. This happens whether it's a wireless or an ethernet connection.

Any ideas?

**johnwill** · 07-21-2007, 03:33 PM

I'm thinking spyware/malware. Please post a HijackThis 2.00.2 log here.

07-20-2007, 09:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Keturah Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP SP2	Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update This is the weirdest problem I have ever had with my laptop. I really hope someone can help. After there was an auto update from firefox this morning, firefox stopped recognizing my internet connection. I tried IE7 and it won't connect either. I couldn't even ping my internet provider through the command prompt. I know that the connection is working because my husband's computer (an identical Toshiba laptop, with the exception that it is 1 year older) is having no problems connecting. I have restarted the laptop, repaired the connection, repaired the connection again and restarted. Nothing. So I checked the processes list to make sure there was no new malware. Nothing there. I then decided to run Ad-ware and SpyBot just in case. Here is where it gets really, really weird. Both programmes connected and then downloaded the most recent updates! Yet I still can't ping or connect through any browser. I am running XP on a Toshiba A40 laptop. Any advice?

07-20-2007, 01:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2 & Vista. For XP, Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt. For Vista, Start, Programs\Accessories and right click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator" to open a command prompt. Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log Reboot the machine. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

07-20-2007, 01:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Keturah Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP SP2	Re: Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update Hmm. I followed those instructions but it's still not connecting. Since then my sister-in-law just ran an XP diagnostic she got errors 12002 and 120029 when trying to connect in the network diagnostics. I've called Toshiba and D-Links, both to no end.

07-20-2007, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Keturah Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP SP2	Re: Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update After a bit of more poking around at the problem, here is some more specific information: It appears that the only functionality that's been lost is pinging other machines (including LAN members) and browsing via IE or Firefox. Everything else - SpyBot, AdAware, and McAfee updates, even the commandline FTP and Telnet tools (including telnetting to port 80 and sending a GET command to retrieve a webpage) - work just fine. It is getting an IP from the router, the router can see the computer's connection, but no other computer on the network can ping this computer either. This happens whether it's a wireless or an ethernet connection. Any ideas? Last edited by Keturah; 07-20-2007 at 08:12 PM.

07-21-2007, 03:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet won't connect to browsers but Spybot downloaded an update I'm thinking spyware/malware. Please post a HijackThis 2.00.2 log here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience