Connect to internet using dial-up connection - Help

[Ray]

I use 56k dial-up connection via phone line to connect to internet and today
suddenly could not connect to internet. The dial-up connection is working
correctly but cannot connect to any website. Can someone advise how to
track down the causes.

Thanks,

Ray

 

[Malke]

I use 56k dial-up connection via phone line to connect to internet and
today
suddenly could not connect to internet. The dial-up connection is
working
correctly but cannot connect to any website. Can someone advise how
to track down the causes.

Thanks,

Ray

Since the modem dials (and you can double-check that your modem and
phone line are good by using the Hyperterminal program and calling a
different phone number, like a cell phone):

1. Run a thorough scan for viruses with a current version (not earlier
than 2004) antivirus using updated definitions. Do the scan in Safe
Mode.

2. Then scan for non-viral malware with tools like Ad-aware and Spybot
Search & Destroy. Get those free tools at www.majorgeeks.com. Install
them, update them, and scan in Safe Mode.

Malke

 

[Ray]

Malke,

Thanks for your advice. I have done all of them with the results below.

Since the modem dials (and you can double-check that your modem and
phone line are good by using the Hyperterminal program and calling a
different phone number, like a cell phone):

They are good and connected to ISP correctly.

1. Run a thorough scan for viruses with a current version (not earlier
than 2004) antivirus using updated definitions. Do the scan in Safe
Mode.

It had trouble before but all now clear.

2. Then scan for non-viral malware with tools like Ad-aware and Spybot
Search & Destroy. Get those free tools at www.majorgeeks.com. Install
them, update them, and scan in Safe Mode.

No problem at all. I am using Microsoft Anti-spyware.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
www.elephantboycomputers.com
In Memoriam - MVP Alex Nichol
The world is diminished without him.

Any other area I should look for?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[Malke]

Malke,

Thanks for your advice. I have done all of them with the results
below.



They are good and connected to ISP correctly.


It had trouble before but all now clear.


No problem at all. I am using Microsoft Anti-spyware.

Any other area I should look for?

What does this mean regarding viruses, "It had trouble before but all
now clear."? What viruses did you have and how did you remove them? Did
the problem connecting to the Internet start with the viruses or
immediately afterwards? Did you call your ISP to make sure they weren't
having any trouble on their end? Can another computer connect to the
ISP from that particular telephone jack? Can you connect your own
computer to the Internet successfully from a different telephone jack?
Have you tried replacing the cable to the phone jack?

Malke

 

[Ray]

Malke,

Thanks for your further advice.

When I downloaded a wallpaper for my computer from a website, the Norton
Antivirus program detects a virus and removed it.

I also tried to restore the system to about a week ago but failed to restore
it.

Regarding phone cable, socket and line quality, I believe they are good as I
heard the data transfer sound and the icon on the system tray shows the
connection and speed. It looks normally.

Ray

 

[Chuck]

Since the modem dials (and you can double-check that your modem and
phone line are good by using the Hyperterminal program and calling a
different phone number, like a cell phone):

1. Run a thorough scan for viruses with a current version (not earlier
than 2004) antivirus using updated definitions. Do the scan in Safe
Mode.

2. Then scan for non-viral malware with tools like Ad-aware and Spybot
Search & Destroy. Get those free tools at www.majorgeeks.com. Install
them, update them, and scan in Safe Mode.

Malke,

Please be advised that MajorGeeks page contents are problematic; there are known
conflicting links on their pages that have caused the unwary to download
useless, damaging, and non-free software. One enlightening discussion:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12911507

Those of us with protectively setup browser and systems cannot see the traps
(bogus software download links) set for the unwary at MG.

While original vendor websites are available (ie no DOS currently being run
against the vendors themselves), it is best to direct folks to:
AdAware <http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
HijackThis <http://www.tomcoyote.com/hjt/>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>

Ray,

Download per the immediately above links.

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them.

Next, run AdAware. First update it, configure for full scan
(<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=11150>), then scan. When
scanning finishes, remove all Critical Objects found.

Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it, then run a scan. Trust Spybot, and
delete everything ("Fix Problems") that is displayed in Red.

Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>

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/>

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Malke]

Malke,

Please be advised that MajorGeeks page contents are problematic; there
are known conflicting links on their pages that have caused the unwary
to download
useless, damaging, and non-free software. One enlightening
discussion: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12911507

Those of us with protectively setup browser and systems cannot see the
traps (bogus software download links) set for the unwary at MG.

While original vendor websites are available (ie no DOS currently
being run against the vendors themselves), it is best to direct folks
to: AdAware <http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
HijackThis <http://www.tomcoyote.com/hjt/>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>

Thanks so much Chuck. You are absolutely right that MajorGeeks has never
been a problem for me because I use Mozilla on Windows and of course
here in Linux with Mozilla I don't get any popups either. I so much
appreciate you telling me this - I will change my advice immediately.
Also, thanks for telling the OP exactly what I was going to.

Again, I can't thank you enough for pointing this out to me.

Respect,

Malke

 

[Guest]

I've had that problem while using earthlink total access software. It ended
up being a proxy server conflict (localhost 8080)

 

[Guest]

I had the same problem while using Earthlink Total Access Software. It was a
proxy server (localhost 8080) conflict.