Internet Explorer & MSN Messenger Internet Connection Problem 1

[Rozza]

Hi,

I have a machine running windows XP Pro. The machine is hooked up to the internet via a cable modem attached via an ethernet connection. The machine is leased a valid ip address and you can ping url's without any problems from the command prompt. Internet explorer and MSN Messenger however will not work. It's as if there is no internet connection present. I have tried using the windows xp winsock/registry tool and also a repair install on windows but neither have worked. I have also checked the internet connection settings and there is no proxy server specified. There is no firewall on the machine either which may cause problems. All spyware/adware have also been removed. It isn't possible either to browse in IE via ip address so this isn't a name resolution problem.
I've now run out of ideas to be honest!!!
Can anyone shed any light?

Cheers

Paul

 

[linney]

Run through the checklists in these articles even if they don't quite apply to your problem they are basic troubleshooting guides for IE.

You Cannot Access Your MSN E-mail Account or Authenticate with a Web Site in Various Programs

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813951

Troubleshoot Situations Where You Cannot Connect to Secure Web Sites by Using Internet Explorer in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;813444

This site also has some good thoughts on the issue:

http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers2.htm#secure_sites

 

[Rozza]

Hi,

Tried all your suggestions but still no joy. I'm pretty sure that this is a registry problem because IE doesn't even attempt to download web content. It just immediately displays the "Page cannot be displayed" message.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Rozza]

Just for your information, Windows update can't access the internet either.

 

[linney]

When was the last time you had any Internet access, what has been installed, removed, changed or updated since then?

If it was only a very recent problem perhaps System Restore might be able to fix it.

Check that "hidden" firewall components are not an issue. PC-Illan, for example, will create this if you use standard default settings for the installation. Other anti virus programs can do the same thing.

Consider replacing the network adapter, or update the drivers for the existing one, it might be a bad NIC.

299357 - How to Reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299357&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

How to determine and recover from Winsock2 corruption

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811259

241344 - Error Message: The Page Cannot Be Displayed

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;241344&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

812336 - Error Message:"Page Cannot be Displayed" When You Browse the Internet

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812336&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

Repair-installing XP probably would not fix any registry corruption as that method would likely copy across the registry settings that were inplace already.