IE will not connect to internet after installing sp2

[Guest]

I know that there are several threads addressing this, but none of them quite
match my problem.

My wife and I bought her daughter's family a refurbished Dell with no OS for
Christmas. So, I also picked up a copy of XP Home with sp1. We could not
activate the software at that time as she had no way to connect to the
internet. Fast forward 6 weeks. She gets a phone and signs up with
Earthlink. She accesses the internet with no problems... at first.

Now, the problem begins. The CPU starts shutting down every 15 minutes.
After some research, I determine that we need to install sp2 to stop it (some
version of Sasser as near as I can figure). Unfortunately, we couldn't
download the patch from Windows, so I order the CD. CD comes in and gets
installed. Voila!! No more shutdowns. BUT, now IE won't load any web pages.

I know that the computer is connected because Network Connections shows that
it is. The problem is that we can't get the browser to load anything. It
doesn't kick out an error. It just keeps loading and loading and loading and
never finishes. The computer has no Anti-Virus software on it yet nor does
it have any of the spyware programs.

What can I do?

 

[Kevin]

You need to get the system cleaned up before you install Service Pack 2.
So, you now need to uninstall SP2 and get some security software on there.
One of the most important things you must do is get anti-virus and spyware
software installed so you can clean up the system. As for installing SP2 in
the first place, it isn't necessary or required. As a last resort, you
might consider a clean install of XP. But don't forget to get your security
software set up after the installation is finished. Make sure you have the
Windows Firewall turned on before connecting to the internet. This will
give you basic firewall protection.

 

[Guest]

That's what I figured. I'll try that and see what happens. Thanks for the
help.

 

[Kevin]

No problem. Good luck!

That's what I figured. I'll try that and see what happens. Thanks for the
help.