Internet connection problem

[LilBob]

I had a client who was running Windows Vista. If he logged on under his administrator name, all worked fine. But if he tried to log on as user/guest, no internet connetion was available. What could cause this?

Bob

 

[linney]

What firewalling or other security type programs are running on the machine? Are there any problems with Proxy settings that relate to a user but not Administrator?

Have you tested from "Safe Mode with Networking"? Have you tested with a newly created user too in Normal Mode?

Is the machine a standalone or part of a Domain?

Have you tried the "Netsh Winsock Reset" command from an elevated command prompt?

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

How do I restore security settings to the default settings?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222/#appliesto

 

[LilBob]

Only firewall running was Windows. It's my son-in-laws PC & best to my memory, only security app running was windows defender with McAfee AV. He does visit web sites that he should't & comes down with nasty bugs that I clean out for him. Don't recall trying "Safe Mode with Networking'. I told him I would look into it but was hospitalized shortly after that. It is a stand alone with no proxy problems. Did not try setting up a new user account to see if that acc't could sign on to the Internet. I ran Winsock fix as no connection was available. Didn't do much else as wife finished shopping & picked me up for my next round of meds. Just thought that now that I'm feeling much better, I'd research the issue. I'll call him this weekend to see how things are working & may go down to see what I can do. Thanks for those suggestions.

Bob

 

[linney]

In any case, you get well soon, I hope you can sort out his problems but don't work too hard if you are not well.

It sounds like when you visit him that you should be armed with your collection of anti malware tools. I personally like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

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

as a first port of call.

Look at the drivers for any Network Cards too, some chipsets from Nvidia come with hidden firewalling components. Another "gotcha" was something installed with Itunes called bonjour that sometimes can cause connection problems.

 

[LilBob]

Thanks for the well wishes. MBAM is in my arsenal of tools. Great free app. My Gdaughter may have installed Itunes as well as other junk piggy-backed with it. She's been known to do things like that. I'll check that out too. Thaanks again; your wealth of info is always appreciated.

Bob