Cannot browse using URL's

[aben16]

Good day,
I have a Gateway laptop running windows XP IE v.6.
Since yesterday, Iam not able to browse the insternt using URL's. When I type

http://www.google.com

or any other website I get an error message webpage cannot be displayed check the internet connection. I can ping google.com and when I enter its address IP in the address bar it takes me to the google home page but when I click on a link I get that same error message.
I need your help before I reinstall XP.
What I did: Last known Good configuration, Unpgraded to IE v.7, Ran Antivirus. Nothing helped.
I tried to install Spybot but won't run because it tried to update after the installation but does not work.
If someone has already seen this issue please provide me with some answers.
Thank you.

 

[telcorookie]

Control Panel
Internet options
Connections
Bottom right click on lan settings. Make sure all fiels are clear.
ok
ok
ok
Test

 

[BadBigBen]

sounds like your DNS cache got scrambled...

in the RUN box, or in a CMD window, type:

ipconfig /flushdns

and retry...

post back...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[aben16]

Thank you for you quick response.
LAN seetings are correct as suggested by telcorookie.
I did also a flushdns but did not work.
I am still having the same issue.

 

[linney]

What anti virus software are you using? Is it something like AVG that has a link scanner? What firewall do you have?

Can you browse from within "Safe Mode with Networking"? Have you tried another user in Normal Mode?

WinXP Connectivity Issues
Lost Connectivity after Registry or Malware Cleanup
faq779-4625

http://www.pchell.com/winsockxpfix/index.shtml

Have you tried cleaning out your Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, etc? Have you tried IE7 with the No Add-ons setting, or resetting every back to Default?

How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936213

How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737#appliesto

I see lots of recommendations here for programs like -

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

 

[Sympology]

You could try using OpenDNS for your settings (often much better than ISP's servers).

In your network settings, change the Obtain DNS Automatically to maunally specify.

Put these in:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Ok and close.

try again.

Most people spend their time on the "urgent" rather than on the "important."

 

[aben16]

Thank you very much all for your suggestions.
I had to reinstall everything because I was not able to do anything ( browsing ).