Cannot find server or DNS Error: Internet Explorer

[David]

The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS" Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel (Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer and the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[PA Bear]

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]

 

[David]

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and then
use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

David

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[David]

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

David

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

David

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[PA Bear]

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[David]

Thanks again for your answers. I have had avast running for a year;
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard installed the same length of time. I ran
ewido before my post. After your answer, I ran HJT, and LSP-Fix. All scans
were clean. I checked my HJT log against Jim Eshelman’s list and did not
find any unknown entries. LSP-Fix did not find any files to remove or any
changes to required. Also, I ran ADA Spy and F-Secure Backlight Rootkit
scan with no problems detected.



?



David

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis
log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for
expert analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Why do you have to do NOHOSTS again? Is something generating
a HOSTS file for you?

BTW it should not be necessary to reboot just to change HOSTS.
Just make your changes and then clear the dnscache with

ipconfig /flushdns

Then (optionally) verify that the dnscache remains empty with

ipconfig /displaydns

I don't think it is necessary to reboot just because you refreshed
the interface either. In fact, if something is fiddling during your boot
that could undo your refresh too anyway.

(Note: all commands should be entered in a cmd window.)

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

If you have something fiddling with HOSTS what else is it fiddling with?
You might be able to find out what is doing that by running ProcMon,
using its Log boot option if necessary. Alternatively if you suspect it is
your third-party security software which is doing it, temporarily disable or
remove it. If you make sure that Windows firewall is enabled before
connecting to the Internet and don't go anywhere strange you should
be sufficiently protected while testing.


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---

David

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

David

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org


David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[David]

I guess the problem is with a HOSTS file email interaction. If I open the
email with the hosts file set to HOSTS, the links do not work even if I then
change to NOHOSTS. If I first have the file set to NOHOSTS and open the
emil, the links work.

David

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Why do you have to do NOHOSTS again? Is something generating
a HOSTS file for you?

BTW it should not be necessary to reboot just to change HOSTS.
Just make your changes and then clear the dnscache with

ipconfig /flushdns

Then (optionally) verify that the dnscache remains empty with

ipconfig /displaydns

I don't think it is necessary to reboot just because you refreshed
the interface either. In fact, if something is fiddling during your boot
that could undo your refresh too anyway.

(Note: all commands should be entered in a cmd window.)

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

If you have something fiddling with HOSTS what else is it fiddling with?
You might be able to find out what is doing that by running ProcMon,
using its Log boot option if necessary. Alternatively if you suspect
it is
your third-party security software which is doing it, temporarily disable
or
remove it. If you make sure that Windows firewall is enabled before
connecting to the Internet and don't go anywhere strange you should
be sufficiently protected while testing.


Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---

David

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

David




I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org


David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[PA Bear]

Repost:

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware *with
assistance from an expert*... [emphasis added] Post your log [in an
appropriate forum to be interpreted by an expert in these matters.]

SpywareGuard is pretty much useless these days; it's not been updated in
Jan-04.

A clean bill of health from AVG Anti-Spyware or your installed anti-virus
application does NOT mean the machine's free of all hijackware.

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
[ignore APPLIES TO section]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Thanks again for your answers. I have had avast running for a year;
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard installed the same length of time. I ran
ewido before my post. After your answer, I ran HJT, and LSP-Fix. All
scans
were clean. I checked my HJT log against Jim Eshelman’s list and did not
find any unknown entries. LSP-Fix did not find any files to remove or any
changes to required. Also, I ran ADA Spy and F-Secure Backlight Rootkit
scan with no problems detected.

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis
log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for
expert analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear

Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh
winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV runing.

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet
Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it
was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[David]

I ran HJT 2.0.2 and found no unknown entries.

The problem is two HOSTS entries in the MVP HOSTS file. If the file is
NOHOSTS when I open the email, the links work. If it is HOSTS when I open
the email, the links do not work even if I change to NOHOSTS before clicking
the links.

I # out the two lines in the hosts file and now the email and links work
with the file as HOSTS.

David

Repost:

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware *with
assistance from an expert*... [emphasis added] Post your log [in an
appropriate forum to be interpreted by an expert in these matters.]

SpywareGuard is pretty much useless these days; it's not been updated in
Jan-04.

A clean bill of health from AVG Anti-Spyware or your installed anti-virus
application does NOT mean the machine's free of all hijackware.

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
[ignore APPLIES TO section]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Thanks again for your answers. I have had avast running for a year;
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard installed the same length of time. I ran
ewido before my post. After your answer, I ran HJT, and LSP-Fix. All
scans
were clean. I checked my HJT log against Jim Eshelman’s list and did not
find any unknown entries. LSP-Fix did not find any files to remove or
any
changes to required. Also, I ran ADA Spy and F-Secure Backlight Rootkit
scan with no problems detected.

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis
log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to
use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for
expert analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear

David wrote:
Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh
winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV
runing.

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet
Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or
DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is
on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one. I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings. I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it
was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help. The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like
to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David

 

[PA Bear]

[newsgroup: microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser]

I # out the two lines in the hosts file and now the email and links work
with the file as HOSTS.

And the two lines are...?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

CC: Mike Burgess [ReplyTo is munged, Mike]

I ran HJT 2.0.2 and found no unknown entries.

The problem is two HOSTS entries in the MVP HOSTS file. If the file is
NOHOSTS when I open the email, the links work. If it is HOSTS when I open
the email, the links do not work even if I change to NOHOSTS before
clicking the links.

I # out the two lines in the hosts file and now the email and links work
with the file as HOSTS.

David

Repost:

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware *with
assistance from an expert*... [emphasis added] Post your log [in an
appropriate forum to be interpreted by an expert in these matters.]

SpywareGuard is pretty much useless these days; it's not been updated in
Jan-04.

A clean bill of health from AVG Anti-Spyware or your installed anti-virus
application does NOT mean the machine's free of all hijackware.

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer:
[ignore APPLIES TO section]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Thanks again for your answers. I have had avast running for a year;
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard installed the same length of time. I
ran
ewido before my post. After your answer, I ran HJT, and LSP-Fix. All
scans
were clean. I checked my HJT log against Jim Eshelman’s list and did
not
find any unknown entries. LSP-Fix did not find any files to remove or
any
changes to required. Also, I ran ADA Spy and F-Secure Backlight Rootkit
scan with no problems detected.

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your
hijackthis
log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to
use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware
with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for
expert analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear

David wrote:
Answered too soon. It worked after the first reboot. Later I had to
reboot
and the link stoped working. I tried this several time: refresh
winsock,
reboot, NOHOSTS, works; reboot again, NOHOSTS, does not work.

Before the second boot, I reset the hosts file. Also, I have AV
runing.

Thanks for your answer. The fix was to reset the winsock protocol
and
then use NOHOSTS. The next task is to fix HOSTS.

I'd start here:

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet
Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

David wrote:
The links in HP and Kodak emails give the "Cannot find server or
DNS"
Error.
Other emails like Lowes and Borders work with no problem. This is
on
my
winxp, oe6, ie6 laptop. The links work on my Debian, Iceweasel
(Firefox),
gmail desktop.



I have searched google and found lots of answers and I think that I
have
tried all the unique answers in the first three pages except one.
I
have
registered 5 files, checked the oe settings, and the ie settings.
I
have
not downloaded the ms hotfix. I have not installed ie7 because it
was
not
suggested and I do not know if that will work either.



I do use a HOSTS file but changing it to NOHOSTS does not help.
The
dns
servers are fixed in oe6 and are the ones from my ip, ATT.



I could start using Firefox but for personal reasons, I would like
to
keep
the software sets separate. I use the laptop as my primary
computer
and
the
desktop as a print and backup server.



Any suggestions?



David