Have Internet but nothing will connect except IE6

mlb22 · 07-19-2008, 09:24 AM

I've searched the internet (mostly through google) for this problem and answers to this problem, and while I've come close I haven't a perfect match to the problem I'm having.

First off, I have Windows XP, Service Pack 2, as well as Registry Mechanic and PC Doctor, the latter two I installed after I was having a problem.

Anyway, I just set up my internet 4 days ago. It's AT&T DSL with a 2-wire wireless router. At first, I didn't think there were any problems since it worked as soon as I set it up, with IE6 working flawlessly. Then, I set up my GF's laptop to get internet from my connection. Then, just for the heck of it, I decided, "maybe now is the time to try something new", so I went to download Mozilla-Firefox web browser (version 3). The download went fine, installation went fine, and I didn't think anything was amiss. Then I opened Firefox and poof, nothing happened. All I have got with Firefox is a "Failed to Connect" message. I have tinkered with it for 2 whole days now and have had no luck.

Along with Firefox, I also tried Opera web browser, as well as connecting to a gaming server, updating the PC Doctor, and I've even updated to IE7, all of which ended in the same result: failed to connect. I downloaded Service Pack 3 in hopes there was some bug that would be fixed...failed to connect there as well, however the way it failed to connect was different. It looked like it was trying to connect, with the loading bar slowly going and the browser turned white, but I finally got a popup that said I couldn't load the page.

Here's the kicker, imo. Everything works as intended in Safe Mode with Networking. Firefox works, gaming server works, and Opera works in safe mode. Also, I tried an experiment and put Firefox on my girlfriend's laptop without changing any details, and it worked on there.

So I'm kind of at a loss. I don't know what else I can do and what I haven't yet tried to fix this problem other than formatting my whole computer and starting from scratch.

Of the many suggestions I've seen online, I've tried: using Registry mechanic, PC Doctor, the ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew commands in the command prompt, as well as starting and restarting the PC and router ad nauseum.

I read something that sounded similar to my problem on one board which had something to do with a windows update and zonealarm, the only problem is I don't have zonealarm. I had Windows Defender when all of this started, but I have since uninstalled it...obviously it didn't help.

Sorry to rattle on like this, but I figure I should put down everything possible. Any help with this would be much appreciated. Thanks!

mlb22 · 07-19-2008, 10:00 AM

Ok, I dunno if this makes sense, but everything works now. How did I fix it, you ask? Well, I installed ZoneAlarm 7.0. NEver had ZoneAlarm before, and now it fixes apparently all the issues I was having.

Tell me, how does that work? hehe

**sobeit** · 07-19-2008, 10:03 AM

one possibility is that firefox may have been accidentally blocked by windows firewall or whatever firewall you were using before zonealarm.

mlb22 · 07-19-2008, 10:48 AM

that's the thing, i didn't have one...at least that i knew of. just windows firewall, which was turned off. /shrug...ohwell, my problem is solved. now the question is, should i upgrade to sp3.

07-19-2008, 09:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
mlb22 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP - SP2	Have Internet but nothing will connect except IE6 I've searched the internet (mostly through google) for this problem and answers to this problem, and while I've come close I haven't a perfect match to the problem I'm having. First off, I have Windows XP, Service Pack 2, as well as Registry Mechanic and PC Doctor, the latter two I installed after I was having a problem. Anyway, I just set up my internet 4 days ago. It's AT&T DSL with a 2-wire wireless router. At first, I didn't think there were any problems since it worked as soon as I set it up, with IE6 working flawlessly. Then, I set up my GF's laptop to get internet from my connection. Then, just for the heck of it, I decided, "maybe now is the time to try something new", so I went to download Mozilla-Firefox web browser (version 3). The download went fine, installation went fine, and I didn't think anything was amiss. Then I opened Firefox and poof, nothing happened. All I have got with Firefox is a "Failed to Connect" message. I have tinkered with it for 2 whole days now and have had no luck. Along with Firefox, I also tried Opera web browser, as well as connecting to a gaming server, updating the PC Doctor, and I've even updated to IE7, all of which ended in the same result: failed to connect. I downloaded Service Pack 3 in hopes there was some bug that would be fixed...failed to connect there as well, however the way it failed to connect was different. It looked like it was trying to connect, with the loading bar slowly going and the browser turned white, but I finally got a popup that said I couldn't load the page. Here's the kicker, imo. Everything works as intended in Safe Mode with Networking. Firefox works, gaming server works, and Opera works in safe mode. Also, I tried an experiment and put Firefox on my girlfriend's laptop without changing any details, and it worked on there. So I'm kind of at a loss. I don't know what else I can do and what I haven't yet tried to fix this problem other than formatting my whole computer and starting from scratch. Of the many suggestions I've seen online, I've tried: using Registry mechanic, PC Doctor, the ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew commands in the command prompt, as well as starting and restarting the PC and router ad nauseum. I read something that sounded similar to my problem on one board which had something to do with a windows update and zonealarm, the only problem is I don't have zonealarm. I had Windows Defender when all of this started, but I have since uninstalled it...obviously it didn't help. Sorry to rattle on like this, but I figure I should put down everything possible. Any help with this would be much appreciated. Thanks! Last edited by mlb22 : 07-19-2008 at 09:26 AM.

07-19-2008, 10:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
mlb22 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP - SP2	Re: Have Internet but nothing will connect except IE6 Ok, I dunno if this makes sense, but everything works now. How did I fix it, you ask? Well, I installed ZoneAlarm 7.0. NEver had ZoneAlarm before, and now it fixes apparently all the issues I was having. Tell me, how does that work? hehe

07-19-2008, 10:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
sobeit Mentor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 4,806 OS: windows/linux	Re: Have Internet but nothing will connect except IE6 one possibility is that firefox may have been accidentally blocked by windows firewall or whatever firewall you were using before zonealarm. __________________ Do not feed the trolls.

07-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
mlb22 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP - SP2	Re: Have Internet but nothing will connect except IE6 that's the thing, i didn't have one...at least that i knew of. just windows firewall, which was turned off. /shrug...ohwell, my problem is solved. now the question is, should i upgrade to sp3.