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CAR141

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Cannot access the internet on my computer

I cannot access the internet on one of the computers on our home network. Norton Internet security finds nothing wrong. Stopzilla finds nothing wrong. This computer is hard wired to the router. There is no problem accessing the internet on another computer on this network and we can also access the internet via wireless connection on a laptop. I have tried all the usual stuff with checking the router, My ISP says there is nothing wrong with the connection and believes there is spyware/malware on the computer. Problem is that loading spybot, avg or malware bytes requires being able to access the internet in order to complete loading of their software. Any suggestions?
Avatar of ☠ MASQ ☠
☠ MASQ ☠

Downloading the MBAM installer on another machine will give you a file that will run on the one that doesn't connect.  You might want to try renaming the MBAM download to "something else".exe before downloading it just in case there is an infection and it is programmed to prevent known anti-malware apps from launching.  MBAM will run without updating and hopefully clean enough to allow a connection.

Does the machine see the rest of your home network OK?  Just to rule out some kind of connection issue.  And will the browser allow connection via an IP address eg http://209.85.299.147 which should find Google?
Use the other PC and download the latest Malwarebyte's and copy it to a CD or USb drive.

Then load it onto the PC.  If it will not load then you definitely have a virus/malware issue.  You will then need to stop the service via the "Task Manager"  Ctrl-Alt-Del.  find the offending malware service and stop it.  Then run your removal software.

You may need to boot to Safe Mode to get this program installed and run to remove the malware, but only if you cannot get it to run in normal mode first.

Check your internet options as well and verify your connections are correct and no proxy is enabled.

Windows - Internet Explorer

   Under "Tools" in the browser tool bar select "Internet Options".
    In the "Internet Options" window that pops up, click the "Connections" tab at the top.
    Click "LAN Settings" near the bottom of the "Connections" section.
    If the "Proxy server" checkbox is marked with a check, click it to deselect/uncheck it.
    Click "Ok" to close the "Local Area Network (LAN) Settings" window.
    Click "Ok" to close the "Internet Options" window.
    You have completed removing the proxy settings for Internet Explorer for Windows.


Windows - Firefox

   
Under "Tools" in the browser tool bar select "Options".
    In the "Options" window that pops up, click the "Advanced" tab at the top.
    Click the "Network" subtab, and then click the "Settings" button in the "Connections" area.
    If "No proxy" isn't selected, click it to mark "No proxy" as your preference. See image below:
    Click "Ok" to close the "Connection Settings" window.
    Click "Ok" to close the "Options" window.
    You have completed removing the proxy settings for Firefox for Windows.

Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

Masquaraid: Google wouldn't open with that address you listed. When I enter 74.125.224.51 I get the google search page but when I try to search I only get a Internet Explerer cannot display the webpage. Also, the computer with the problem can wirelessly access our printer. Other than that I don't know how to check to see if the machiine sees the rest of the home network.

Tribus: Internet explorer settings are already as you suggested.

I'll download MWBytes as was suggested and see what happens.
Sorry, I typed a long post...it was posted while I was posting.  I did add more thorough info though...
@Tribus -
Mine was just a friendly comment - no chastisement intended. I did the same thing in a question yesterday.

A long time ago someone gave me the hint to "Ctrl+A", then "Ctrl+X" (cut all to clipboard), hit the F5 key to refresh my screen (check for new comments)...and then post.

When I remember to do that, it helps me not walk on other Expert's posts.
:)

CAR141 -
Good EE article on Google Hijacks here:
"Google Hijack" - Google Search Gets Redirected:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/A_3299.html
" ...Norton Internet security finds nothing wrong. Stopzilla finds nothing wrong...."

I would definitely consider removing Norton and then checking connectivity.

Norton Removal tool:

http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN&ln=en_US

Good luck!!!
Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

downloaded malware bytes on anothere computer, installed and ran it on the problem computer. It found 16 problems which were eliminated  but still can't connect to the internet.  It says the update is 110 days old but I can't update because I need to connect to the internet in order to do that.

I removed Norton, rebooted, and checked - didn't help. I have tried to accesss the internet through 74.125.224.51 (google) it went to a search page and told me it could not connect to the internet.  Also tried Yahoo 72.30.2.43 address. It came up with a Yahoo screen like a search screen but could go no further.  

I removed Norton entirely. Still can't connect. I found that I could update Norton. I guess it could still access the norton server to obtain updates. Personally, I don't think Norton has ever found anything on this computer.

Problem is that I would like to try some other antivirus, antispyware but cannot because they all require an internet connection and that's the problem in the firs place--No Internet Connection.
Can you try downloading and running the following package?
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Virus_and_Spyware/Anti-Virus/A_4922-Rogue-Killer-What-a-great-name.html 
See if you can then reach the MBAM update
The following was copied from http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=3436

If you are having problems downloading the database via the program, you can now download it as an installer.

http://data.mbamupda.../mbam-rules.exe 
Take a look at the hosts file. It may have been hijacked and re-written. It sounds like all the pages are being redirected to localhost. Please note that some malware will creATe a duplicate hosts file that looks ok, but is not the actual one being used. Turn on view hidden files and also view system files, then navigate to the following location:

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

How many hosts files are listed?
The fact that you can get to the Google web page by number but can't access sites by name implies a DNS problem.  I would suggest testing that to clarify what the underlying issue really is.

Try:
Start
Run
cmd
nslookup google.com
(note what result you get here)
ipconfig /all
(note what you have for the DNS settings)
exit
@Experts -
Please note that the recommendation here: http:#a:35305825 includes fixes for:

HOSTS - Proxy - DNS - and Shortcuts problems.
Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

Flubbster: Only one hosts file and it looks exactly like the one shown as an example online and the one on my other XP computer.

CompProbSolv: when I type cmd and nslookup google.com I get several addresses for google some of which are what I mentoned above. 74.125.244.48 through 52.  When I enter ip config /all for the DNS setting I get 192.168.2.1 this is also what it shows for Default gateway and DHCP Server.

younghv: was that for me?
@younghv

While I understand your intentions, I do not make a habit of checking more than one link posted. The post and information on the page you mention in turn references many other links. I don't think I should have to follow multiple links to see if any of them reference information that I intend to post. I never intentionally duplicate a post, but I don't think I should have to follow a convoluted trail before attempting to answer a question either.

IMHO
Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

RogueKiller scan found nothing.
Malware bytes with definitions 15 days old found nothing.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Tribus
Tribus
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So, to recap:

Mbam found nothing.  You have run Rogue Killer, reset IE, so no proxy: checked your hosts file, and tried to connect without Norton.  As I understand it, you are unable to connect under any circumstances EXCEPT to update Norton:

"...I removed Norton entirely. Still can't connect. I found that I could update Norton..."

Did you just disable Norton, or did you remove it?  Did you uninstall it via Add/Remove programs, or did you use the Symnrt tool I linked to?  
If you haven't used Symnrt yet, I would urge you to do so, and then test the connection again.
Symnrt is the only truly reliable method to remove Norton in its entirity, as far as I am aware.
Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

FYI Recap: Mbam found nothing.  Rogue Killer found nothing, reset IE, so no proxy: checked your hosts file, removed Norton with removal tool. still couldn't connect to the internet. The comment about being able to update Norton meant before I removed it of course. Even though I couldn't connect to yahoo, google, msn, etc on the internet when I opened Norton security suite and clicked update it would do its thing and then say it was updated 5 minutes ago, or whatever it says. Anyway, it indicated it was updated and didn't tell me it couldn't update or complete installation because there was no internet connection as MWB, StopZilla, and the other antivirus, etc. programs had done.

So I ran the Winsock fix and now I can get on the internet once again.  Thanks to all of you who helped me with this!
Avatar of CAR141

ASKER

I had followed every other suggestion I had received and still nothing fixed the problem and allowed me to get back on the internet. I appreciate the help and suggestions from everyone. Tribus suggested I try http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html and it worked. I am now able to get back on the internet.