Can't surf by name, Can surf by number (IP)

[jhunter]

=====
ISSUE
=====
I can NOT browse/surf the internet by name (i.e. www.yahoo.com) but CAN
pull up a web page by number (i.e. http://68.142.226.48) using both
Internet Explorer and Netscape. Here's what I've tried/more
information. Any suggestions?

Pinging/Browsing (other PCs) on local lan WORKS
Pinging/Browsing (Internet) by number (http://68.142.226.48) WORKS
Pinging/Browsing (Internet) by name (www.yahoo.com) does NOT work
Other PCs, on local lan, can browse/surf the Internet WORK (using same
router & cable modem)
I've plugged the PC in question directly into the cable modem
(bypassing the router) and still have the same problem.
I've removed ad/spyware using Ad-aware/Spybot (found just a few)
I've scanned for viruses using Trend Micro/Housecall (none found)
I've Uninstalled/Reinstalled all networking clients/protocols/drivers
I've Reinstalled Win98 (over current installation)
I've Repaired Internet Explorer 6 (uninstall is not an option in
Control Panel)
I've tried Gateway Tech. Support and they say to uninstall/reinstall
Internet Explorer and/or reformat.

=====
NOTES
=====
a) Everything worked (for forever it seems) prior to a power outage
(UPS now on order).

b) Upon diagnosing this issue, two tech.'s think Internet Explorer is
corrupted. I want to uninstall/reinstall Internet Explorer 6 but there
is no uninstall choice in Control Panel (only Add Component and
Repair).


==========
BACKGROUND
==========
O/S = Win98 (not se)
Patches Installed

Browser = Internet Explorer 6
Patches Installed

Browser = Netscape
Patches Installed


=========
Thanks!!!
THE END
=========

 

[Doug MacGregor]

You might want to check and see if your local "hosts" file has been tampered
with.
This is a DNS issue it would seem.
Cheers

 

[Chuck]

=====
ISSUE
=====
I can NOT browse/surf the internet by name (i.e. www.yahoo.com) but CAN
pull up a web page by number (i.e. http://68.142.226.48) using both
Internet Explorer and Netscape. Here's what I've tried/more
information. Any suggestions?

Pinging/Browsing (other PCs) on local lan WORKS
Pinging/Browsing (Internet) by number (http://68.142.226.48) WORKS
Pinging/Browsing (Internet) by name (www.yahoo.com) does NOT work
Other PCs, on local lan, can browse/surf the Internet WORK (using same
router & cable modem)
I've plugged the PC in question directly into the cable modem
(bypassing the router) and still have the same problem.
I've removed ad/spyware using Ad-aware/Spybot (found just a few)
I've scanned for viruses using Trend Micro/Housecall (none found)
I've Uninstalled/Reinstalled all networking clients/protocols/drivers
I've Reinstalled Win98 (over current installation)
I've Repaired Internet Explorer 6 (uninstall is not an option in
Control Panel)
I've tried Gateway Tech. Support and they say to uninstall/reinstall
Internet Explorer and/or reformat.

=====
NOTES
=====
a) Everything worked (for forever it seems) prior to a power outage
(UPS now on order).

b) Upon diagnosing this issue, two tech.'s think Internet Explorer is
corrupted. I want to uninstall/reinstall Internet Explorer 6 but there
is no uninstall choice in Control Panel (only Add Component and
Repair).


==========
BACKGROUND
==========
O/S = Win98 (not se)
Patches Installed

Browser = Internet Explorer 6
Patches Installed

Browser = Netscape
Patches Installed


=========
Thanks!!!
THE END
=========

If you have two browsers, and both show the same results, I would focus on other
issues before reloading either.

Certainly check your hosts files for a hijack.

Search your entire system drive, including hidden and system folders, for file
"hosts". There is one legit copy, in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ (for
Windows NT/2000/XP, for instance). The others are possibly bogus, and part (but
just part) of the problem.

Examine the contents of each copy of "hosts" found, using Notepad. Scroll to the
end of each Hosts file, by hitting Ctrl-End, then back up to the top, page by
page, before deciding that any "hosts" file is empty. Look out for blank lines
at the beginning and end of the file, after "localhost", placed there by an
exploit. Do not assume that a file is empty simply because you see "localhost"
followed by 50 blank lines!

DNS resolution is affected by the LSP / Winsock subsystem.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=318584
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811259

If XP SP2, Start - Run - "cmd". Type "netsh winsock reset catalog" into the
command window.

Give LSP-Fix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>, WinsockFix
<http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257>, or WinsockXPFix
<http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html> a shot.

If no help yet, reset TCP/IP.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=299357

Start - Run - "cmd". Type "netsh int ip reset c:\netsh.txt" into the command
window.

In addition to AdAware and Spybot S&D, you might want to consider HijackThis and
expert advice.

Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools:
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes
immediately. Save the HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=11150>

Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and PLEASE post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: <http://forum.aumha.org/index.php>
Net-Integration: <http://forums.net-integration.net/>
Spyware Info: <http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
Spyware Warrior: <http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
Tom Coyote: <http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>

If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.

 

[Carey Holzman]

Tip #3 at www.careyholzman.com/netfixes.htm

Carey