Gingerkiss
asked on
internet connection vanishes/AOL software
This problem has baffled everyone, in every forum. I cannot find the solution but I won't give up. I know for certain the problem originates with something in AOL software, that can screw up WINSOCK/ OR IEX/ DUN/ & or REGISTRY. This is the second computer I own that has met the same fate.
This computer is HP/win98/P3/500mhz/256mb-r
I just ran the complete COMPUTER diagnostics from my HP cd recovery disk, massive & comprehensive, and all tests were OK.
About a month ago I reinstalled an AOL adaptor (the device that helps AOL connect to internet) for some insignifigant annoyance on the advice of an AOL TECH , , , after the computer rebooted and it rebuilt the adaptor,
connecting with my aol software didn't work, as soon as it got to the welcome screen the software would vanish, leaving me at the dekstop image or the message "illegal operation", would pop up and i would have to close. The newer versions of AOL just dissappear once they go from the welcome screen to the internet. The older versions connect to AOL, you can check email, etc, but once you go to the net, the IEX error messages appear, , action canceled, this page cannot be displayed...etc.
Everything aol tech support suggested failed:
reinstall dial up networking,
defrag,
thorough scandisk ( no errors found on drive),
reinstall the aol software again,
update to new versions,
a few other piddly things,
I went back to an old version of aol 4.0. (consider the new version is 8.0) It allows me to get online with aol and I can check email but it won't connect to the internet and when it tries either i get the vanishing act or an IEX error "action canceled", etc
My firewall doesn't load properly anymore either, it comes on with an error message that says "10047; socket failed" or unable to open socket-logging to syslog will not work".....so I disabled it.
my other browsers-netscape-opera-- don't connect either. . "socket" problem
I have also done the repair fix for IEX6 in ADD/REMOVE. No help. IEX 6 was an upgrade from the original IEX that came installed, I believe it was IEX 5.0. [I believe this could be one of the sources of corruption]
...I have the HP cd recovery disk for the computer and it has complete software reinstalls but I could not find IEX on it in APPLICATIONS? But if someone can tell me the simple DOS commands I can install it from selective recovery, if I use the proper SETUP commands.
EXAMPLE:
Directions from the recovery disk for selective recovery;
"to restore all files in the directory C:\myfiles, USE C:\myfiles,
to restore all files in the directory C:\myfiles & subdirectory, USE C:\myfiles\*.*
to restore all files in the long directory C:\mylongdirectory & sub-directory, use C:\mylong_directory~1\*.*
type in the full path and file name of files you want to restore.....all exe files use windows\*.exe "
I will reinstall WINSOCK files from here, and would like to reinstall IEX from here too.
I did a scanreg /restore but the oldest date failed and that brings me up to the day of the mishap, so no help there.
I decided to go back and run "system file
checker", no corrupt files were found, EXCEPT, one called msrating.dll in IEX. I reinstalled it from the cd recovery disk successfully. I searched for all the winsock files and found WSOCK32.DLL, WINSOCK, WSOCK.DLL, I moved them to another
folder and temporarily renamed them. Just to clear the system of them, and hopefully reinstall clean/uncorrupt files. The file sizes are correct, though. I AM GOING TO USE THE HP RECOVERY DISK, to reinstall clean WINSOCK files.
HERE ARE A FEW CAUSES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:
ONE PROBABLE CAUSE>Either your Winsock or wsock32.dll files are corrupted. Delete amd
reinstall. [THIS HAS BEEN DONE]-except for the reinstall of new files from the cd recovery disk.
ANOTHER GOOD IDEA>Go to the link below and download & run the "LSPFix.exe" or "lspfix.zip" which should solve your Winsock problem.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm..[THIS HAS BEEN DONE]..DIDN'T WORK.
I have the lspfix winsock fix program and another called w2fix.exe....I ran the latter, it deleted wsock registry keys, and uninstalled DUN,
then reinstalled the fix from windows98 cdrom/HARDRIVE.
Didn't work, still see the error message, will try Lspfix.zip, should do the same thing.
And this is the second computer with AOL that is now not capable of connecting to the internet. The other is a laptop, which I abandoned
trying to fix 2 years ago. Same problem....:(, I actually now remember using the W2fix.exe to repair winsock! That computer was a win95/P166/Toshiba
VIRUS SCANS ARE CLEAN
I'M USING REGISTRY CLEANING software and cleaning that up too. I've noticed about 6 entries from AOL, I am going to delete them all,
RAN ADWARE 5.62 to look for spyware, only found 4, CYDOOR, and something from KAZAA, but they were there before the problem.
MY LAST RESORT
to reinstall win98 from SETUP in windows/options/cabs
OR the cd recovery disk
--NOT THERE YET
GINGER,
sorry for so much information :)
:)
This computer is HP/win98/P3/500mhz/256mb-r
I just ran the complete COMPUTER diagnostics from my HP cd recovery disk, massive & comprehensive, and all tests were OK.
About a month ago I reinstalled an AOL adaptor (the device that helps AOL connect to internet) for some insignifigant annoyance on the advice of an AOL TECH , , , after the computer rebooted and it rebuilt the adaptor,
connecting with my aol software didn't work, as soon as it got to the welcome screen the software would vanish, leaving me at the dekstop image or the message "illegal operation", would pop up and i would have to close. The newer versions of AOL just dissappear once they go from the welcome screen to the internet. The older versions connect to AOL, you can check email, etc, but once you go to the net, the IEX error messages appear, , action canceled, this page cannot be displayed...etc.
Everything aol tech support suggested failed:
reinstall dial up networking,
defrag,
thorough scandisk ( no errors found on drive),
reinstall the aol software again,
update to new versions,
a few other piddly things,
I went back to an old version of aol 4.0. (consider the new version is 8.0) It allows me to get online with aol and I can check email but it won't connect to the internet and when it tries either i get the vanishing act or an IEX error "action canceled", etc
My firewall doesn't load properly anymore either, it comes on with an error message that says "10047; socket failed" or unable to open socket-logging to syslog will not work".....so I disabled it.
my other browsers-netscape-opera-- don't connect either. . "socket" problem
I have also done the repair fix for IEX6 in ADD/REMOVE. No help. IEX 6 was an upgrade from the original IEX that came installed, I believe it was IEX 5.0. [I believe this could be one of the sources of corruption]
...I have the HP cd recovery disk for the computer and it has complete software reinstalls but I could not find IEX on it in APPLICATIONS? But if someone can tell me the simple DOS commands I can install it from selective recovery, if I use the proper SETUP commands.
EXAMPLE:
Directions from the recovery disk for selective recovery;
"to restore all files in the directory C:\myfiles, USE C:\myfiles,
to restore all files in the directory C:\myfiles & subdirectory, USE C:\myfiles\*.*
to restore all files in the long directory C:\mylongdirectory & sub-directory, use C:\mylong_directory~1\*.*
type in the full path and file name of files you want to restore.....all exe files use windows\*.exe "
I will reinstall WINSOCK files from here, and would like to reinstall IEX from here too.
I did a scanreg /restore but the oldest date failed and that brings me up to the day of the mishap, so no help there.
I decided to go back and run "system file
checker", no corrupt files were found, EXCEPT, one called msrating.dll in IEX. I reinstalled it from the cd recovery disk successfully. I searched for all the winsock files and found WSOCK32.DLL, WINSOCK, WSOCK.DLL, I moved them to another
folder and temporarily renamed them. Just to clear the system of them, and hopefully reinstall clean/uncorrupt files. The file sizes are correct, though. I AM GOING TO USE THE HP RECOVERY DISK, to reinstall clean WINSOCK files.
HERE ARE A FEW CAUSES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED:
ONE PROBABLE CAUSE>Either your Winsock or wsock32.dll files are corrupted. Delete amd
reinstall. [THIS HAS BEEN DONE]-except for the reinstall of new files from the cd recovery disk.
ANOTHER GOOD IDEA>Go to the link below and download & run the "LSPFix.exe" or "lspfix.zip" which should solve your Winsock problem.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm..[THIS HAS BEEN DONE]..DIDN'T WORK.
I have the lspfix winsock fix program and another called w2fix.exe....I ran the latter, it deleted wsock registry keys, and uninstalled DUN,
then reinstalled the fix from windows98 cdrom/HARDRIVE.
Didn't work, still see the error message, will try Lspfix.zip, should do the same thing.
And this is the second computer with AOL that is now not capable of connecting to the internet. The other is a laptop, which I abandoned
trying to fix 2 years ago. Same problem....:(, I actually now remember using the W2fix.exe to repair winsock! That computer was a win95/P166/Toshiba
VIRUS SCANS ARE CLEAN
I'M USING REGISTRY CLEANING software and cleaning that up too. I've noticed about 6 entries from AOL, I am going to delete them all,
RAN ADWARE 5.62 to look for spyware, only found 4, CYDOOR, and something from KAZAA, but they were there before the problem.
MY LAST RESORT
to reinstall win98 from SETUP in windows/options/cabs
OR the cd recovery disk
--NOT THERE YET
GINGER,
sorry for so much information :)
:)
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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It is the AOL software I have seen this many times on corporate computers. AOL seems to think it can just redo all the network configurations to suit their needs. It is really annoying and frustrating. One of my favorite fixes was to tell them to cancel their aol accounts and get an earthlink one. This worked 100% of the time. Upgrading to win2k or xp might help also. I know this is expensive but it sounds like you have already invested a lot of time and money into this problem. Good luck and please post back when you find the solution.
ASKER
Thanks WAr1 for your help. I want to do exactly what you suggest but have a couple questions before I proceed.
When you say, " Looks the AOL installer corrupted your connection. Uninstall the installer." Are you referring to the AOL Adaptor? That's what messed this up in the first place. If I uninstall it [delete it] it will automatically rebuild itself upon the next boot. How do you want me to combine that step with "removing all protocols?"
Should I uninstall the adaptor, reboot, and then proceed with the other steps? or reboot after fixing network protocols first?
When you say, "4.) Open Network Properties again, and Click ADD - PROTOCOL - MicroSoft/TCPIP(should Add Client for MS Networks Automatically) Have your windows CD ready or the CAB files.
I don't have a "windows98" cd. All of my software was installed when I bought the computer. I do have a Hewlet Packard CD recovery disk, which has all the original software on it, but it's 2 cd's and one is all application software but not win98. It's on the other one but in the form of a "complete recovery", "selective recovery", back to factory install recovery, etc.
So I have CAB files on the hard drive, what will I have to do after STEP 4. to satisfy> "have your windows CD ready or CAB files?"
thanks again,
Ginger :)
When you say, " Looks the AOL installer corrupted your connection. Uninstall the installer." Are you referring to the AOL Adaptor? That's what messed this up in the first place. If I uninstall it [delete it] it will automatically rebuild itself upon the next boot. How do you want me to combine that step with "removing all protocols?"
Should I uninstall the adaptor, reboot, and then proceed with the other steps? or reboot after fixing network protocols first?
When you say, "4.) Open Network Properties again, and Click ADD - PROTOCOL - MicroSoft/TCPIP(should Add Client for MS Networks Automatically) Have your windows CD ready or the CAB files.
I don't have a "windows98" cd. All of my software was installed when I bought the computer. I do have a Hewlet Packard CD recovery disk, which has all the original software on it, but it's 2 cd's and one is all application software but not win98. It's on the other one but in the form of a "complete recovery", "selective recovery", back to factory install recovery, etc.
So I have CAB files on the hard drive, what will I have to do after STEP 4. to satisfy> "have your windows CD ready or CAB files?"
thanks again,
Ginger :)
There have also been alot of people having touble with IE6 and Win98. try IE5.5 or IE5.
I seem to recall that Win98 is not listed on IE6 requirements.
I seem to recall that Win98 is not listed on IE6 requirements.
Ginger,
From your description do not touch the AOL adaptor for now. Lets fix the network protocols first.
The cabs files that I am referring to is at C:\Windows\Options\Cabs
From your description do not touch the AOL adaptor for now. Lets fix the network protocols first.
The cabs files that I am referring to is at C:\Windows\Options\Cabs
ASKER
Oh, ok....thanks, :)
I understand now, it will automatically refer to CABS in windows.
I read up on the TCP/IP reinstall [via Google] and understand what to do here. Just one more check;
When I opened up Network, all of these protocols WERE LISTED:
Client for Microsoft Networks
Microsoft Family Logon
3Com Fast Etherlink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC [3c90a5B-TX]
AOL Adaptor
Dial Up Adapter
Dial UP Adapter #2 VPN Support
HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
WAN Miniport ATW
3Com drMON SmartAgent PC Software
NDISWAN->Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
NDISWAN->WAN Miniport ATW
NetBEUI-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC[3C905B]
NetBEUI-> Dial up Adapter
NetBEUI->Dial up adapter #2 VPN support
NetBeui->HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
That's alot, I think some double's too. So I am to REMOVE everything? Except where I see NIC ?
Just touching base on that before I run your steps. If someone confirms I'm on the correct path, I'll proceed.
THANKS SO MUCH WAR1,
I'm pretty optimistic because I haven't done a solution like this yet,
:)
I understand now, it will automatically refer to CABS in windows.
I read up on the TCP/IP reinstall [via Google] and understand what to do here. Just one more check;
When I opened up Network, all of these protocols WERE LISTED:
Client for Microsoft Networks
Microsoft Family Logon
3Com Fast Etherlink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC [3c90a5B-TX]
AOL Adaptor
Dial Up Adapter
Dial UP Adapter #2 VPN Support
HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
WAN Miniport ATW
3Com drMON SmartAgent PC Software
NDISWAN->Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
NDISWAN->WAN Miniport ATW
NetBEUI-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC[3C905B]
NetBEUI-> Dial up Adapter
NetBEUI->Dial up adapter #2 VPN support
NetBeui->HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
That's alot, I think some double's too. So I am to REMOVE everything? Except where I see NIC ?
Just touching base on that before I run your steps. If someone confirms I'm on the correct path, I'll proceed.
THANKS SO MUCH WAR1,
I'm pretty optimistic because I haven't done a solution like this yet,
:)
Gingerkiss,
Wow! glad you showed me this list. You have both Client for Microsft Networks and Microsoft Family Logon running. You should have one or the other. This conflict could be your problem. Delete both, and when you add back the protocol, only Client will be added back.
Leave everything else along until you get down to NetBeui and TCP/IP. Delete all NetBeui and TCP/IP. These are two different protocols. You should have one or the other. Again this could be the cause of your problem. When you add back the protocol, add only TCP/IP.
Best wishes, Warren
Wow! glad you showed me this list. You have both Client for Microsft Networks and Microsoft Family Logon running. You should have one or the other. This conflict could be your problem. Delete both, and when you add back the protocol, only Client will be added back.
Leave everything else along until you get down to NetBeui and TCP/IP. Delete all NetBeui and TCP/IP. These are two different protocols. You should have one or the other. Again this could be the cause of your problem. When you add back the protocol, add only TCP/IP.
Best wishes, Warren
ASKER
Hi,
Here's what I did. I removed Client & Family, and all of Netbui & TCP/IP. I didn't reboot or make any changes in the registry. Then I added protocol/microsoft/TCP/IP,
When the desktop was about to appear, a microsoft client message asked for password, I clicked cancel and everything loaded as usual.
I then tested the internet connection and received the same type message "action canceled" no page to display. I checked in NETWORK and see that Microsoft Client is there and not Microsoft Family. All of these TCP/IP connections came back>
TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
...and the ones I did not remove are there, like NIC.
How can I stop the "password request?"
Should I delete the registry keys now?
Ps....if I signed up with another ISP, like Juno, just to test connecting to the internet, do you think it would work? It would be a good experiment,
You'd think AOL tech's would have the answer since they must hear from thousand's of people who have the same problem & it is their software that created this, and I think they know that but arn't saying it. They really just blew me off saying "I need to talk to Microsoft."
What if IEX has a problem, how would I know?
Because I just remembered another clue that I have left out here. Back when things were working and I was online through AOL, I could then also connect with OPERA & NETSCAPE browsers, but I couldn't connect through IEX, as a separate browser, when I launched it I would get the same message, "action canceled", no page to display......I just remembered that.
Something also has to be wrong with IEX, or in the path through which it connects.
thanks for helping me,
I REALLY, appreciate it,
Ginger
:)
Here's what I did. I removed Client & Family, and all of Netbui & TCP/IP. I didn't reboot or make any changes in the registry. Then I added protocol/microsoft/TCP/IP,
When the desktop was about to appear, a microsoft client message asked for password, I clicked cancel and everything loaded as usual.
I then tested the internet connection and received the same type message "action canceled" no page to display. I checked in NETWORK and see that Microsoft Client is there and not Microsoft Family. All of these TCP/IP connections came back>
TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
...and the ones I did not remove are there, like NIC.
How can I stop the "password request?"
Should I delete the registry keys now?
Ps....if I signed up with another ISP, like Juno, just to test connecting to the internet, do you think it would work? It would be a good experiment,
You'd think AOL tech's would have the answer since they must hear from thousand's of people who have the same problem & it is their software that created this, and I think they know that but arn't saying it. They really just blew me off saying "I need to talk to Microsoft."
What if IEX has a problem, how would I know?
Because I just remembered another clue that I have left out here. Back when things were working and I was online through AOL, I could then also connect with OPERA & NETSCAPE browsers, but I couldn't connect through IEX, as a separate browser, when I launched it I would get the same message, "action canceled", no page to display......I just remembered that.
Something also has to be wrong with IEX, or in the path through which it connects.
thanks for helping me,
I REALLY, appreciate it,
Ginger
:)
Dear expert(s),
A request has been made to close this Q in CS:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20605186/unlocked-points.html
Without a response in 72 hrs, a moderator will finalize this question by:
- Saving this Q as a PAQ and refunding the points to the questionner
When you agree or disagree, please add a comment here.
Thank you.
modulo
Community Support Moderator
Experts Exchange
A request has been made to close this Q in CS:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20605186/unlocked-points.html
Without a response in 72 hrs, a moderator will finalize this question by:
- Saving this Q as a PAQ and refunding the points to the questionner
When you agree or disagree, please add a comment here.
Thank you.
modulo
Community Support Moderator
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modulo,
If you read the request carefully, Gingerkiss wants to closed Q20597385 and apply the points to this question: Q20604732.
If you read the request carefully, Gingerkiss wants to closed Q20597385 and apply the points to this question: Q20604732.
Ginger,
>> When the desktop was about to appear, a microsoft client message asked for password, I clicked
>> cancel and everything loaded as usual.
This could be your problem. Because you need the network interface you cannot hit cancel and have the network work. You need to type in a username and password. Do a search for *.pwl files and rename them. Then reboot.
>> How can I stop the "password request?"
>> Should I delete the registry keys now?
To not have to type in your password each time, download a utility name TweakUI 1.33
http://www.winguides.com/software/display.php/22/
Once installed, go the Control Panel > TweakUI > Logon tab. Type in your username and password. Now
when you reboot, TweakUI will fill the password for you.
>> When the desktop was about to appear, a microsoft client message asked for password, I clicked
>> cancel and everything loaded as usual.
This could be your problem. Because you need the network interface you cannot hit cancel and have the network work. You need to type in a username and password. Do a search for *.pwl files and rename them. Then reboot.
>> How can I stop the "password request?"
>> Should I delete the registry keys now?
To not have to type in your password each time, download a utility name TweakUI 1.33
http://www.winguides.com/software/display.php/22/
Once installed, go the Control Panel > TweakUI > Logon tab. Type in your username and password. Now
when you reboot, TweakUI will fill the password for you.
No further action needed.
modulo
Community Support Moderator
Experts Exchange
modulo
Community Support Moderator
Experts Exchange
ASKER
Thanks for the info War1. Here's a few mor things. I checked IEX, by choosing repair, and it failed, saying "MSRATING.DLL exists but is an older version for 5.01-etc", so I "restored to previous version" which is the original with the pc. I had a previous failure with MSRATING.DLL, and restored it from the recovery cd and it was the old version.
THE REGISTRY:
I noticed while using REGEDIT that almost all the folders & sub folders appear as "default & no set value", in the right window pane, everything. I was checking on this registry key> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
This article outlines the various troubleshooting steps that are recommended when web sites fail
to load properly. FROM AOL WEB SITE.
I left out the details,
Step 2 - Purge your browsers CACHE: OK
Step 3 - Verify Parental Controls are not set: OK
Step 4 - Verify that the AOL Adapters are installed.
(Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and Me only) OK
If you DO have the AOL Adapter entries.
1. Double click on TCP/IP -> AOL Adapter.
2. Select the DNS Configuration tab and verify that Disable DNS is selected. OK
3. Select the WINS Configuration tab and verify that Use DHCP for WINS Resolution is selected. OK
4. Select the IP Address tab and verify that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected. OK
5. Select the Gateway tab and remove any gateways listed there. OK
Step 5 - Remove the AOL Adapter. DOING THIS CREATED MY PROBLEM!
Reboot the computer and start AOL again, it should rebuild the adapters. IT DID...
Step 6 - Make sure that Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) is set as your default browser: OK
Step 7 - Check your browser settings: OK
If your browser is Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.01, or 5.50:
a) Make sure the Never Dial a Connection option is selected on the Connections tab if the option
is available. OK
b) Click the LAN Settings button.
c) Select Auto Detect Settings. OK
d) Verify that Use a Proxy Server is NOT checked. OK
e) Verify that Use HTTP 1.1 is selected. OK
f) Verify that Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections is not selected. OK
Step 8 - Verify the correct WINSOCK.DLL and WSOCK32.DLL files are installed: OK
If you're using Windows 98, you should find:
- a 21KB Winsock.DLL file in your C:\Windows folder.
- a 40KB Wsock32.DLL file in your C:\Windows\System folder.
FILE SIZE OK,
If you find files that use the above filenames, but are different in size, you may have a virus on
your system. NO VIRUS--MCAFFEE SCAN
NOTE: Sometimes a Netscape Wsock32n.DLL file will conflict with the AOL Wsock32.DLL. HAVE NETSCAPE, COULD NOT FIND FILE
Step 9 - If the URL window displays
res://C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SH
HMMM, I think I have this error on the other "aol problem" computer.
This occurs when the Winsock2 Registry Key and TCP/IP stack are not updated after an upgrade
of your AOL software -or- if AOL parental control restrictions are set for the current account.
Step 10 - Remove all network components. DID THIS..OK
-
Step 11 - Uninstall Dial-up Networking: DID THIS...OK
Step 12 - Use Registry Editor to locate and remove the following Registry Key: HAVE NOT TRIED THIS YET.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
Restart the computer:
Ginger,
:)
THE REGISTRY:
I noticed while using REGEDIT that almost all the folders & sub folders appear as "default & no set value", in the right window pane, everything. I was checking on this registry key> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
This article outlines the various troubleshooting steps that are recommended when web sites fail
to load properly. FROM AOL WEB SITE.
I left out the details,
Step 2 - Purge your browsers CACHE: OK
Step 3 - Verify Parental Controls are not set: OK
Step 4 - Verify that the AOL Adapters are installed.
(Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and Me only) OK
If you DO have the AOL Adapter entries.
1. Double click on TCP/IP -> AOL Adapter.
2. Select the DNS Configuration tab and verify that Disable DNS is selected. OK
3. Select the WINS Configuration tab and verify that Use DHCP for WINS Resolution is selected. OK
4. Select the IP Address tab and verify that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected. OK
5. Select the Gateway tab and remove any gateways listed there. OK
Step 5 - Remove the AOL Adapter. DOING THIS CREATED MY PROBLEM!
Reboot the computer and start AOL again, it should rebuild the adapters. IT DID...
Step 6 - Make sure that Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) is set as your default browser: OK
Step 7 - Check your browser settings: OK
If your browser is Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.01, or 5.50:
a) Make sure the Never Dial a Connection option is selected on the Connections tab if the option
is available. OK
b) Click the LAN Settings button.
c) Select Auto Detect Settings. OK
d) Verify that Use a Proxy Server is NOT checked. OK
e) Verify that Use HTTP 1.1 is selected. OK
f) Verify that Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections is not selected. OK
Step 8 - Verify the correct WINSOCK.DLL and WSOCK32.DLL files are installed: OK
If you're using Windows 98, you should find:
- a 21KB Winsock.DLL file in your C:\Windows folder.
- a 40KB Wsock32.DLL file in your C:\Windows\System folder.
FILE SIZE OK,
If you find files that use the above filenames, but are different in size, you may have a virus on
your system. NO VIRUS--MCAFFEE SCAN
NOTE: Sometimes a Netscape Wsock32n.DLL file will conflict with the AOL Wsock32.DLL. HAVE NETSCAPE, COULD NOT FIND FILE
Step 9 - If the URL window displays
res://C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SH
HMMM, I think I have this error on the other "aol problem" computer.
This occurs when the Winsock2 Registry Key and TCP/IP stack are not updated after an upgrade
of your AOL software -or- if AOL parental control restrictions are set for the current account.
Step 10 - Remove all network components. DID THIS..OK
-
Step 11 - Uninstall Dial-up Networking: DID THIS...OK
Step 12 - Use Registry Editor to locate and remove the following Registry Key: HAVE NOT TRIED THIS YET.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
Restart the computer:
Ginger,
:)
First remove all AOL software, reboot, & if there is anything left in their directories - delete (provided you don't need the old settings or email).
Is your only isp AOL? Meaning you don't dial into any other isp nor company vpn!!
In netwrk neiborhd prop's config tab:
Did you set the "primary netwk logon" to "Windows Logon"?
clients
Client for MS Netwrks
adapters (*** delete all or read note by each)
1) 3Com Fast Etherlink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC [3c90a5B-TX] *** delete if your not on a netwrk or using dsl or cable modems
2) HP Fast Ethernet Adapter *** delete if your not on a netwrk or using dsl or cable modems
3) AOL Adaptor *** delete since you already uninstalled aol
4) Dial Up Adapter *** delete if you don't have another dialup acct with another isp
5) Dial UP Adapter #2 VPN Support *** delete if you don't access a private or company vpn
misc vpn or nic software (*** delete all)
Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
WAN Miniport ATW
3Com drMON SmartAgent PC Software
NDISWAN->Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
NDISWAN->WAN Miniport ATW
protocols (*** for whatever # you deleted above make sure that the corresponding protocols are removed also.)
1) NetBEUI-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC[3C905B]
2) NetBeui->HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
4) NetBEUI-> Dial up Adapter
5) NetBEUI->Dial up adapter #2 VPN support
1) TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
2) TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
3) TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
4) TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
5) TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
After removing all adapters & protocols, click ok & let it reboot. It will detect new hardware for any installed netwrk cards (nics) & should reintall tcp for them. If it needs a driver browse to c:\windows\options\cabs or c:\windows or c:\windows\system. If msg to replace existing file with this file & the old file is newer keep that file.
After rebooting remove IE6 & install IE5.5, reboot, then install & configure aol 7.0.
Is your only isp AOL? Meaning you don't dial into any other isp nor company vpn!!
In netwrk neiborhd prop's config tab:
Did you set the "primary netwk logon" to "Windows Logon"?
clients
Client for MS Netwrks
adapters (*** delete all or read note by each)
1) 3Com Fast Etherlink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC [3c90a5B-TX] *** delete if your not on a netwrk or using dsl or cable modems
2) HP Fast Ethernet Adapter *** delete if your not on a netwrk or using dsl or cable modems
3) AOL Adaptor *** delete since you already uninstalled aol
4) Dial Up Adapter *** delete if you don't have another dialup acct with another isp
5) Dial UP Adapter #2 VPN Support *** delete if you don't access a private or company vpn
misc vpn or nic software (*** delete all)
Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
WAN Miniport ATW
3Com drMON SmartAgent PC Software
NDISWAN->Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
NDISWAN->WAN Miniport ATW
protocols (*** for whatever # you deleted above make sure that the corresponding protocols are removed also.)
1) NetBEUI-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC[3C905B]
2) NetBeui->HP Fast Ethernet Adapter
4) NetBEUI-> Dial up Adapter
5) NetBEUI->Dial up adapter #2 VPN support
1) TCP/IP-> 3Com Fast Etherlink NIC [3C905b]
2) TCP/IP->HP TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
3) TCP/IP-> AOL ADAPTER
4) TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER
5) TCP/IP->DIAL UP ADAPTER #2 VPN Support
After removing all adapters & protocols, click ok & let it reboot. It will detect new hardware for any installed netwrk cards (nics) & should reintall tcp for them. If it needs a driver browse to c:\windows\options\cabs or c:\windows or c:\windows\system. If msg to replace existing file with this file & the old file is newer keep that file.
After rebooting remove IE6 & install IE5.5, reboot, then install & configure aol 7.0.
helo ginger, what's your status?
ASKER
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT INFO, Mimicu
I really appreciate all of the input on my question. And sorry I didn't get back on that sooner, but I only just checked my post today. :)
I am going to follow those steps exactly and post back today again. I am going to delete the NIC ethernet, and if I need it later, I'll install it again.
The IEX version is the original now because I restored to "previous version". Yes, AOL is my only ISP . . .but I have the other browsers I mentioned.
If I completely remove IEX. . .can I restore it from my computer or the HP RECOVERY CD. I think I will check with HP and ask them how to reinstall IEX from the recovery cd too. But I also have another cd for EARTHLINK and I noticed IEX 5.5 on it, and I'm sure I can install it by itself.
>"Did you set the "primary netwk logon" to "Windows Logon"?< YES, and when I changed it to that, I no longer had the password request........
THANKS SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING,
Ginger,
:)
I really appreciate all of the input on my question. And sorry I didn't get back on that sooner, but I only just checked my post today. :)
I am going to follow those steps exactly and post back today again. I am going to delete the NIC ethernet, and if I need it later, I'll install it again.
The IEX version is the original now because I restored to "previous version". Yes, AOL is my only ISP . . .but I have the other browsers I mentioned.
If I completely remove IEX. . .can I restore it from my computer or the HP RECOVERY CD. I think I will check with HP and ask them how to reinstall IEX from the recovery cd too. But I also have another cd for EARTHLINK and I noticed IEX 5.5 on it, and I'm sure I can install it by itself.
>"Did you set the "primary netwk logon" to "Windows Logon"?< YES, and when I changed it to that, I no longer had the password request........
THANKS SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING,
Ginger,
:)
under my last post under adapters
#1 & #2 are both NICs
#4 is a standard microsoft dialup adapter
#3 is aol's dialup adapter
#5 was probably added by aol8.0 as a security measure
If you had ie5.5 before ie6, i would think that after removing ie6 it should go back to the last version - if you open ie then click help about it will tell you what version is currently installed, so if it went back to ie4 then you'll need to install ie5.5 from the earthlink cd. I suggested aol7.0 because i don't think it required that vpn stuff, but i could be wrong.
#1 & #2 are both NICs
#4 is a standard microsoft dialup adapter
#3 is aol's dialup adapter
#5 was probably added by aol8.0 as a security measure
If you had ie5.5 before ie6, i would think that after removing ie6 it should go back to the last version - if you open ie then click help about it will tell you what version is currently installed, so if it went back to ie4 then you'll need to install ie5.5 from the earthlink cd. I suggested aol7.0 because i don't think it required that vpn stuff, but i could be wrong.
helo gingerkiss, what's your status?
ASKER
Hi,
I'm back, sorry for the delay, I can focus on the problem again. I completely removed Iex and then reinstalled iex 5.5 from another isp cd/earthlink, but even with that I still don't think it's working correctly. I'm going back to the begining and remove everything aol, clear out the registry, (all my winsock fixes say everythings ok) , redo all the communication fixes (tcp/ip, dun, etc), and begin again, only I'm going to install JUNO and see if I can get online, then work with aol 6.0.
After that I'll touch base here to see there are any more options. I'll be happy never to use aol again.
:)
I'm back, sorry for the delay, I can focus on the problem again. I completely removed Iex and then reinstalled iex 5.5 from another isp cd/earthlink, but even with that I still don't think it's working correctly. I'm going back to the begining and remove everything aol, clear out the registry, (all my winsock fixes say everythings ok) , redo all the communication fixes (tcp/ip, dun, etc), and begin again, only I'm going to install JUNO and see if I can get online, then work with aol 6.0.
After that I'll touch base here to see there are any more options. I'll be happy never to use aol again.
:)
ASKER
Hi,
I'm back, sorry for the delay, I can focus on the problem again. I completely removed Iex and then reinstalled iex 5.5 from another isp cd/earthlink, but even with that I still don't think it's working correctly. I'm going back to the begining and remove everything aol, clear out the registry, (all my winsock fixes say everythings ok) , redo all the communication fixes (tcp/ip, dun, etc), and begin again, only I'm going to install JUNO and see if I can get online, then work with aol 6.0.
After that I'll touch base here to see there are any more options. I'll be happy never to use aol again.
:)
I'm back, sorry for the delay, I can focus on the problem again. I completely removed Iex and then reinstalled iex 5.5 from another isp cd/earthlink, but even with that I still don't think it's working correctly. I'm going back to the begining and remove everything aol, clear out the registry, (all my winsock fixes say everythings ok) , redo all the communication fixes (tcp/ip, dun, etc), and begin again, only I'm going to install JUNO and see if I can get online, then work with aol 6.0.
After that I'll touch base here to see there are any more options. I'll be happy never to use aol again.
:)
ASKER
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ON MY POST and War1 & Mimicsu, and sorry this took so long but I didn't want to reinstall windows :)
HERE IT IS >
THE SOLUTION >
This problem has baffled me for 3 months but it will no more, the mystery of the "dissappearing internet" has been solved, not just fixed but diagnosed & solved.
THE BEGINING:
The following is a summary of the path of solutions and recommended actions provided by forum techs including War1 & Mimicsu and my own investigations. Everything here was done exactly as written, yet, I still could not connect to the internet until today, when I tried just one more thing.
PREFACE: nothing offered by AOL TECHS was successful, including their famous "purge your cache" or even worse " close some programs", If it had not been for War1 I could not have solved it.
THE SOLUTION GOES LIKE THIS>
a) everything AOL on the computer must be removed, right down to their registry settings. I used a registry cleaner to get the AOL infiltrations out of there. All aol software removed and deleted, every reference to aol removed. EVERYTHING.
b) everything that has to do with Internet Explorer was ultimately removed and a new version of IEX reinstalled-------LAST. . . .from some form of software CD, ...A FRESH PRISTINE VERSION, untouched by AOL. I finally removed my IEX 6.0 and had to delete some of it's leftover folders as well, and then installed IEX 5.5 FROM a EARTHLINK cd separate from their other software. (IEX REPAIR was of no use)
c) I found and removed all versions of WINSOCK files and Used Registry Editor to locate and remove the following Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
Searched and found winsock32.dll, winsock32n.dll, WINSOCK, and deleted. USED W2fix.exe & Lspfix.exe to REPAIR possibly damaged (LSP) stacks from improperly removed (LSP) software.
d) Dial Up Networking (DUN) was removed, and reinstalled later, after other networking/communication changes were made first, and careful not to pollute with AOL.
e) ALL THE TCP/IP protocols were removed and rebuilt.
NOW I HAD SOMETHING TO WORK WITH......the goal being to remove and reinstall all communications/internet/ne
The goal was to cleanly take the computer back to where it was before AOL was ever installed, that became the starting point for the solution.
SO AT THIS POINT NETWORK/COMMUNICATIONS/TCP
Zeroed in on the minutia and opened System File Checker once again, and scanned, and > this time it said WINSOCK was corrupted, no problem, reinstalled from CABS. But I didn't check the internet connection, as I knew it wouldn't work, and WINSOCK had be cleanly reinstalled before AND still didn't work.
THE PROBLEM IN THE END WAS INTERNET EXPLORER and may have been all along.
I ran System File Checker again and studied the FILE VERSIONS for INTERNET EXPLORER 5.5. . . and I noticed the WINSOCK.DLL FILE wasn't really there, "file not provided" and "not available", very strange, it was a pristine install from another ISP CD.
I INSTANTLY KNEW THIS WAS THE ANSWER I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR.
I went back to SFC and copied a fresh copy of WINSOCK into SYSTEM & INTERNET EXPLORER, then, loaded AOL, got online, held my breath and tried for GOOGLE.COM >
And then I saw it, in the toolbar, "transferring document", I couldn't believe my eyes.
SOLVED
If I had checked SFC info on IEX as my first step long ago would I have discovered the "problem file", I'll never know, but I feel the communication reinstalls were the key, something went wrong with the new IEX 5.5 install and WINSOCK became a secondary problem that held things up that should otherwise have worked. But I had done so many WINSOCK fixes, checks, file confirmations, that it's hard to believe WINSOCK would still be missing from IEX, expecially after running LSPFIX.EXE.
THANKS FOR HELPING,
ESPECIALLY WAR1,
I ACCEPT HIS SOLUTION ......with a tiny tweak.
AND THANKS TO MIMICSU for following up on the maze of TCP information.
:)
HERE IT IS >
THE SOLUTION >
This problem has baffled me for 3 months but it will no more, the mystery of the "dissappearing internet" has been solved, not just fixed but diagnosed & solved.
THE BEGINING:
The following is a summary of the path of solutions and recommended actions provided by forum techs including War1 & Mimicsu and my own investigations. Everything here was done exactly as written, yet, I still could not connect to the internet until today, when I tried just one more thing.
PREFACE: nothing offered by AOL TECHS was successful, including their famous "purge your cache" or even worse " close some programs", If it had not been for War1 I could not have solved it.
THE SOLUTION GOES LIKE THIS>
a) everything AOL on the computer must be removed, right down to their registry settings. I used a registry cleaner to get the AOL infiltrations out of there. All aol software removed and deleted, every reference to aol removed. EVERYTHING.
b) everything that has to do with Internet Explorer was ultimately removed and a new version of IEX reinstalled-------LAST. . . .from some form of software CD, ...A FRESH PRISTINE VERSION, untouched by AOL. I finally removed my IEX 6.0 and had to delete some of it's leftover folders as well, and then installed IEX 5.5 FROM a EARTHLINK cd separate from their other software. (IEX REPAIR was of no use)
c) I found and removed all versions of WINSOCK files and Used Registry Editor to locate and remove the following Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\
Searched and found winsock32.dll, winsock32n.dll, WINSOCK, and deleted. USED W2fix.exe & Lspfix.exe to REPAIR possibly damaged (LSP) stacks from improperly removed (LSP) software.
d) Dial Up Networking (DUN) was removed, and reinstalled later, after other networking/communication changes were made first, and careful not to pollute with AOL.
e) ALL THE TCP/IP protocols were removed and rebuilt.
NOW I HAD SOMETHING TO WORK WITH......the goal being to remove and reinstall all communications/internet/ne
The goal was to cleanly take the computer back to where it was before AOL was ever installed, that became the starting point for the solution.
SO AT THIS POINT NETWORK/COMMUNICATIONS/TCP
Zeroed in on the minutia and opened System File Checker once again, and scanned, and > this time it said WINSOCK was corrupted, no problem, reinstalled from CABS. But I didn't check the internet connection, as I knew it wouldn't work, and WINSOCK had be cleanly reinstalled before AND still didn't work.
THE PROBLEM IN THE END WAS INTERNET EXPLORER and may have been all along.
I ran System File Checker again and studied the FILE VERSIONS for INTERNET EXPLORER 5.5. . . and I noticed the WINSOCK.DLL FILE wasn't really there, "file not provided" and "not available", very strange, it was a pristine install from another ISP CD.
I INSTANTLY KNEW THIS WAS THE ANSWER I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR.
I went back to SFC and copied a fresh copy of WINSOCK into SYSTEM & INTERNET EXPLORER, then, loaded AOL, got online, held my breath and tried for GOOGLE.COM >
And then I saw it, in the toolbar, "transferring document", I couldn't believe my eyes.
SOLVED
If I had checked SFC info on IEX as my first step long ago would I have discovered the "problem file", I'll never know, but I feel the communication reinstalls were the key, something went wrong with the new IEX 5.5 install and WINSOCK became a secondary problem that held things up that should otherwise have worked. But I had done so many WINSOCK fixes, checks, file confirmations, that it's hard to believe WINSOCK would still be missing from IEX, expecially after running LSPFIX.EXE.
THANKS FOR HELPING,
ESPECIALLY WAR1,
I ACCEPT HIS SOLUTION ......with a tiny tweak.
AND THANKS TO MIMICSU for following up on the maze of TCP information.
:)
Gingerkiss, glad to help!
Best wishes, war1
Best wishes, war1
I had the same problem recently and went around in circles between Microsoft and Dell support performing many of the same fixes you describe dealing with removing and reinstalling DUN and other protocols. Unfortunately for me, (Win98, IE 6,AOL 8.0), no one has a solution that works. The closest I have come is to get AOL to start up, display most of the main screen, then produce an error message that AOL has detected an error with my internet connection.
Running the W2Fix always gets me back to normal web browsing with IE, but restarting AOL forced reinstallation of Virtual Private Networking, rendering both it and IE nonworkable. I have noticed one thing not mentioned previously - that is, if I run the Winsock fix and get back to normal operability with IE, and then install VPN from within Windows (vs. AOL install), the same thing happens - IE doesn't display pages. Deleting some registry keys and protocols and reinitializing them got me back to quasi-normal. I could browse with IE, and reinstalling AOL did not need to install VPN because it was already there, but still AOL does not work. IE works fine. I also notice now that IE properties show no listing in the Dialup and Virtual Private Network Settings box on the Connections tab. In fact, the entire section is greyed out.
For me, SFC shows no problems with IE or any other files. One strange thing though, running Direct X diagnostic in system tools causes blue screen crash. Not sure if that has anything to do with anything.
Any ideas, anyone???
Running the W2Fix always gets me back to normal web browsing with IE, but restarting AOL forced reinstallation of Virtual Private Networking, rendering both it and IE nonworkable. I have noticed one thing not mentioned previously - that is, if I run the Winsock fix and get back to normal operability with IE, and then install VPN from within Windows (vs. AOL install), the same thing happens - IE doesn't display pages. Deleting some registry keys and protocols and reinitializing them got me back to quasi-normal. I could browse with IE, and reinstalling AOL did not need to install VPN because it was already there, but still AOL does not work. IE works fine. I also notice now that IE properties show no listing in the Dialup and Virtual Private Network Settings box on the Connections tab. In fact, the entire section is greyed out.
For me, SFC shows no problems with IE or any other files. One strange thing though, running Direct X diagnostic in system tools causes blue screen crash. Not sure if that has anything to do with anything.
Any ideas, anyone???
ASKER
Hi Bishop772,
We were using the same computer setup except I went back to aol 6.0 , and IEX 5.5 ---aol 6.0 is more secure and stable on this issue than 8.0. Unless your just determined to solve this with 8.0, consider replacing it with 6.0, or 7.0.....download 6.0-from aol with your IEX connection.....and clean out your computer of AOL first,
You said----" an error message that AOL has detected an error with my internet connection" the newer versions of AOL---7.0 & 8.0 are using the WAN MINIPORT ADAPTER------if it corrupts, your out..........I believe that error message is related to it.....won't hurt to uninstall it......
I just read a huge article on AOL & VPN by Fred Langa, here's a quote:
__________________________
--->VPN: The VPN networking lies dormant for the vast majority of users. The VPN setup is active only for people who are using AOL's own broadband services (AOL/Time Warner). For everyone else--- everyone using dial-up, and everyone connecting via other, non-AOL broadband media (non-AOL cable, DSL, etc), the VPN stuff is installed, but not used.
--->The AOL Adapters: Similarly, all the added AOL-specific adapters normally lie dormant. They're used only in cases where other means of connection fail; and then they're used as a fall-back means to connect.
-->AOL6 correctly modifies system software and NETTRANS.INF to ensure that there's an adequate number of available TCP connections. (See http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q217/7/44.asp )
_______________
After my last post here I was enlightened further by WHITPHIL on the use of SFC and it's potential for unrealiability in checking for corrupt files, meaning it can say corrupt when it's ok, and vice versa.
Regardless of what it finds it's just best to replace WSOCK32.DLL from your CABS, and WINSOCK.DLL....That is a prerequisite for this fix.....there is a program called WSOCK98.EXE , that will install a clean copy automatically, and you can use SFC to replace them too.... but you are connecting with IEX
W2fix.exe is deleting your DUN & Winsock 2 registry key,
did you try the other WINSOCK fix's??? LSPFIX.EXE , WHDNFIX.EXE?? they work differently.....<a href=http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>WINSOCK</a>
But at least you have your IEX connection, most people don't have that, however, I was recently helping someone who had the exact same situation as yours except she was on a cable modem....connects with IEX, but not AOL......it's unresolved. She was going to reformatt, and upgrade to XP, I don't think it will work.....
I think you've fixed your connection issue and just have to separate AOL and fix it as a separate problem. Since you have already done an enormous amount of work on 8.0, consider backpeddling to an earlier version for now. I'm sure if you uninstalled 8.0 and reinstalled 4.0..........you'd connect with AOL, starting with 5.0 the software becomes very corrupt & unstable with internet connection issues.
Other than strategy, I'm not sure I added anything new for you, but I'll be glad to help examine further with you,
If you like contact me at
<a href=mailto: Gingerkiss7@yahoo.com>Ging
We were using the same computer setup except I went back to aol 6.0 , and IEX 5.5 ---aol 6.0 is more secure and stable on this issue than 8.0. Unless your just determined to solve this with 8.0, consider replacing it with 6.0, or 7.0.....download 6.0-from aol with your IEX connection.....and clean out your computer of AOL first,
You said----" an error message that AOL has detected an error with my internet connection" the newer versions of AOL---7.0 & 8.0 are using the WAN MINIPORT ADAPTER------if it corrupts, your out..........I believe that error message is related to it.....won't hurt to uninstall it......
I just read a huge article on AOL & VPN by Fred Langa, here's a quote:
__________________________
--->VPN: The VPN networking lies dormant for the vast majority of users. The VPN setup is active only for people who are using AOL's own broadband services (AOL/Time Warner). For everyone else--- everyone using dial-up, and everyone connecting via other, non-AOL broadband media (non-AOL cable, DSL, etc), the VPN stuff is installed, but not used.
--->The AOL Adapters: Similarly, all the added AOL-specific adapters normally lie dormant. They're used only in cases where other means of connection fail; and then they're used as a fall-back means to connect.
-->AOL6 correctly modifies system software and NETTRANS.INF to ensure that there's an adequate number of available TCP connections. (See http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q217/7/44.asp )
_______________
After my last post here I was enlightened further by WHITPHIL on the use of SFC and it's potential for unrealiability in checking for corrupt files, meaning it can say corrupt when it's ok, and vice versa.
Regardless of what it finds it's just best to replace WSOCK32.DLL from your CABS, and WINSOCK.DLL....That is a prerequisite for this fix.....there is a program called WSOCK98.EXE , that will install a clean copy automatically, and you can use SFC to replace them too.... but you are connecting with IEX
W2fix.exe is deleting your DUN & Winsock 2 registry key,
did you try the other WINSOCK fix's??? LSPFIX.EXE , WHDNFIX.EXE?? they work differently.....<a href=http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>WINSOCK</a>
But at least you have your IEX connection, most people don't have that, however, I was recently helping someone who had the exact same situation as yours except she was on a cable modem....connects with IEX, but not AOL......it's unresolved. She was going to reformatt, and upgrade to XP, I don't think it will work.....
I think you've fixed your connection issue and just have to separate AOL and fix it as a separate problem. Since you have already done an enormous amount of work on 8.0, consider backpeddling to an earlier version for now. I'm sure if you uninstalled 8.0 and reinstalled 4.0..........you'd connect with AOL, starting with 5.0 the software becomes very corrupt & unstable with internet connection issues.
Other than strategy, I'm not sure I added anything new for you, but I'll be glad to help examine further with you,
If you like contact me at
<a href=mailto: Gingerkiss7@yahoo.com>Ging
ASKER
no hypertext?