Cant get on IE or any other browser

[fruitlesspuppy]

hello.
This is a friends computer. She using xp sp2 ... (she has windows validation
note on desktop that her version of windows may not be valid)..
She was on road runner ..lost that.. so I made her a sign in name off my sbc
account.. now she is on dial up... She signs in on sbc... icons show in the
taskbar as connected at 50.6 Kpb.. but when she tries to bring up IE or
firefox .. it will not give her internet access.. you know the old cant
access IE error message.
I also tried going on msn and starting there like I do when I format my
computer.
There I try to sign in on my name as she does not have msn or hotmail
account.
Get message that msn is very busy .. well msn been very busy for several
days.. according to her. I can not sign in on my hotmail account there.
So we cant get on IE .. firefox or msn explorer.
Please if you have any suggestions as I know Ill always find an answer here
... help me help her so she will quit bugging me to death,...
Thanks
Pup

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

This is a friends computer. She using xp sp2 ... (she has windows

validation
note on desktop that her version of windows may not be valid)..

Better get that sorted first. Please follow this simple troubleshooting
procedure, courtesy of MS MVP Carey Frisch:

1. Download and install the WGA Diagnostic Tool
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062

2. After running the WGA Diagnostic Tool, click on the "Windows" tab and
then click on "Copy to Clipboard".

3. Next, visit the following website and create a post in the "WGA
Validation Problems" forum and paste the results of the WGA Diagnostic Data
in a detailed post:
http://social.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/genuinewindowsxp/threads/

4. A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an
appropriate solution.

 

[fruitlesspuppy]

HOw can she do this if she cant get on the a browser :?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Try Safe Mode with Networking.

If not and assuming the computer's not been kept fully-patched:

Backup the personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

cf. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx