Modem connects but no DNS

[Menno Hershberger]

Tried a couple of hours today to try and get an HP with XP home in it to
connect to the internet. It dials in fine, accepts the login, etc., but
won't go any further. IE says DNS error. From the command prompt I can
ping the nameserver successfully. I uninstalled the dialup connection and
reinstalled it. The proper nameserver addresses are entered into the
TCP/IP properties under Network and advanced.
The computer was loaded with bad stuff.... a "web enhancer" and new.net
which were both removable from add/remove programs. Which I did
(removed). That didn't fix the problem either or I wouldn't be here
seeking help....
I had this happen in Windows 98 once and the answer there was to replace
winsock.dll and a couple others.
If this rings any bells with anyone, I'd love to hear the "fix"!
Otherwise I'll bring the damn thing to my shop and go from there.
If this is any clue... Norton pops up a window every time you reboot it
that than there is an error in starting Norton email protection. If my
memory serves me right, I was getting that same error on the 98 machine
before I got it straightened out.
Thanks for any help you might offer!

 

[Malke]

Tried a couple of hours today to try and get an HP with XP home in it
to connect to the internet. It dials in fine, accepts the login, etc.,
but
won't go any further. IE says DNS error. From the command prompt I
can ping the nameserver successfully. I uninstalled the dialup
connection and reinstalled it. The proper nameserver addresses are
entered into the TCP/IP properties under Network and advanced.
The computer was loaded with bad stuff.... a "web enhancer" and
new.net which were both removable from add/remove programs. Which I
did (removed). That didn't fix the problem either or I wouldn't be
here seeking help....
I had this happen in Windows 98 once and the answer there was to
replace winsock.dll and a couple others.
If this rings any bells with anyone, I'd love to hear the "fix"!
Otherwise I'll bring the damn thing to my shop and go from there.
If this is any clue... Norton pops up a window every time you reboot
it that than there is an error in starting Norton email protection. If
my memory serves me right, I was getting that same error on the 98
machine before I got it straightened out.
Thanks for any help you might offer!

It sounds like this box is either infected with viruses and/or has still
got a lot of spyware/malware on it, which would definitely affect how
it connects to the Internet. Scan with current av using updated
definitions in Safe Mode. Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy
and/or Ad-aware, also in Safe Mode. You could also try 1) first,
sfc.exe /scannow; 2) repair install; 3) format the drive and start over
if it's too messed up.

Malke

 

[Menno Hershberger]

It sounds like this box is either infected with viruses and/or has
still got a lot of spyware/malware on it, which would definitely
affect how it connects to the Internet. Scan with current av using
updated definitions in Safe Mode. Remove spyware with Spybot Search &
Destroy and/or Ad-aware, also in Safe Mode. You could also try 1)
first, sfc.exe /scannow; 2) repair install; 3) format the drive and
start over if it's too messed up.

Malke

I agree with the malware-spyware part. I will be bringing it to my shop
Monday. I'll have to put AdAware and SpyBot on a CD to get it installed
since I can't connect to the internet. It does have a network adapter
and I have a T1, but I am guessing that won't work either. His latest
virus definitions are from July. Norton finds no viruses using those
definitons. Reformatting would be a last resort since he has all kinds
of stuff he doesn't want to lose. If I have to do that, I'll mirror his
drive on another harddrive first. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

See if this helps, it repairs winsock:

Repair Loss of Internet Access/Certain Web Sites (155)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Other checkpoints to consider:

Go to Windows\System32\DRIVERS\etc and rename hosts. Also go to:
winnt\help. If it is listed, delete it. Once done to go to
Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
DataBasePath" = %SystemRoot%\help

And change it to:
DataBasePath" = %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc

Lan Settings - Proxy Server - Disable (Line 253)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual: IE/Tools/Internet Options/Connections/Lan Settings. Uncheck Use a
proxy server.....

Rename your hosts file: Go to: Windows\System32\DRIVERS\etc.

 

[Menno Hershberger]

Hi,

See if this helps, it repairs winsock:

Repair Loss of Internet Access/Certain Web Sites (155)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Other checkpoints to consider:

Go to Windows\System32\DRIVERS\etc and rename hosts. Also go to:
winnt\help. If it is listed, delete it. Once done to go to
Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
DataBasePath" = %SystemRoot%\help

And change it to:
DataBasePath" = %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc

Lan Settings - Proxy Server - Disable (Line 253)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual: IE/Tools/Internet Options/Connections/Lan Settings. Uncheck
Use a proxy server.....

Rename your hosts file: Go to: Windows\System32\DRIVERS\etc.

Thanks Kelly! I was thinking myself that it was a winsock problem. I'll tty
your fix as soon as I get it in here... and I'll let you know!

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome and good luck!