OE and IE stopped working after Windows Update

[Guest]

This morning I used Automatic Update to download Windows Installer 3.1,
selected reboot, but rebooting left me with a black screen. Switched power
off and on, selected Normal Windows boot from splash screen, and all was OK.
But when I tried to used IE6 to access my email (only a Hotmail account) I
got this error message:

Unable to poll for new messages on your HTTP server. Account: 'Hotmail',
Server: 'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp', Protocol:
HTTPMail, Server Response: '', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 12029,
Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Header download for the 'Inbox' folder did not complete. Account:
'Hotmail', Server: 'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp',
Protocol: HTTPMail, Server Response: '', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Socket
Error: 12029, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

IE does not work either! But I can access and search the internet OK using
Firefox! I use a Wireless connection (a PCMCIA card on my laptop) with no
ISP set up. When I select Send/Receive in IE, it just accesses my hotmail
account. I'm sending this by accessing the Web via the Hotmail page (Firefox
is not allowed to access this forum directly!).

I'm really stuck. Help very much appreciated.

Robert

 

[PA Bear]

Windows version?

Does uninstalling Windows Installer v3.1 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the
problem?

 

[Guest]

Hello, I've XP updated with SP2, and it's fully updated with all the security
fixes, etc. I did uninstall Windows Installer 3.1, but it made no
difference, so I reinstalled it just in case it did not work the first time,
but no change . I also followed the instructions on 'How to reinstall or
repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP' (article 318378)
as far as I could without actually reinstalling XP, but no change! However,
I haven't tried as yet to reinstall SP2, so perhaps that mighht be worth a
try. I also run a Norton virus scan as well, but nothing found.

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Guest]

I've just reinstalled XP Service Pack 2, but no change!

Robert

 

[PA Bear]

Try this:

Open a Command window:

Start > Run > (type in) cmd > OK

Type the following into the Command window:

netsh Winsock reset

OK your way out and reboot. (cf. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892350)

Assuming everything's OK now, find the hijackware that caused the problem
(IOW, it wasn't the install of Windows Installer v3.1, Robert):

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/tshoot.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

NB: To assure a clean install, your anti-virus application should be
disabled and all other running processes closed before installing anything,
including Windows Updates.

 

[Guest]

Hello, I'm afraid it is still the same! And I did get the correct response
after sending the cmd - netsh Winsock reset - and then rebooted. In fact I
did it twice. I can see a HDD reformat coming up!

Thanks,

Robert

 

[PA Bear]

See the "hijackware" links I posted. I'm pretty certain none of the
available tools (e.g., MS Windows AntiSpyware, CWShredder, Ad-aware, Spybot)
will be able to fix everything. Scan with HijackThis and post your log to
one of the appropriate forums (not here) for an expert to review and provide
further guidance.

On the other hand, "flattening" the box and reinstalling Windows might be
more efficient use of your time.

 

[PA Bear]

PS: You might try selecting a Restore Point predating the install of
Windows Installer (e.g., yesterday) and using System Restore.

 

[Guest]

I think it's bite the bullet and reformat C: (I have all docs, etc. in other
partitions). I have't used Restore Point, thinking that I always reformat
once a year as standard maintenance, so if something goes wrong then it's
reformat time!

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Guest]

Just to bring this to a close, I did not bite the bullet but went to a site
called http://www.bleepingcomputer.com. After a lot of downloading (on their
advice) all kinds of malware progs and running these in Safe Mode, which came
up with nothing, I final run a prog called HighjackThis, which creates a list
all that's alive and running on you p.c. Then you dump this list onto the
appropriate discussion group and someone analyses it for problems (takes at
least a day for a reply). Mine came back with a clean bill of heath - no
Malware present. So I did a reinstall of XP Prof. in Repair mode (leaves all
your progs and settings intact), then put on sp2 and downloaded all the
updates. But still no joy. The I just checked through all the settings (for
the umpteenth time) and in TOOLS/INTERNET OPTIONS/CONNECTIONS/LAN SETTINGS I
noticed that the PROXY SERVER box was ticked. I unticked it and hey presto,
I now have IE6 and OE up and running again. I'm quite sure that it was
downloading the Windows Installer 3.1 update that was the original source of
the problem. My laptop was fine just before this download, and after the
download when it went into a reboot, that reboot failed - it all locked up
trying to load Windows. I had to restart by pulling the power cable out, and
when it rebooted OK next time, that's when IE6 and OE ceased working.

Anyway, it is a relief not to have to do a reformat!!!

 

[PA Bear]

Glad to hear you've got it sorted now.

FWIW installing Windows Installer v3.1 update here on two machines did not
change my settings in IE Tools>...>Connections>LAN.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I reinstalled Windows Installer 3.1 after deinstalling it after the
problem first appeared, and that worked OK, as it did when I did the Repair
Install and did all the Windows Updates. But it was the only visible
happening between using a working OE and IE6 and finding it not working. But
it might have been that freezing up on the reboot might have did something,
for whatever reason. But one does learn though these 'happenings'!

Cheers,

Robert

 

[PA Bear]

Yes: close all applications (e.g., OE, IE, anti-virus) before installing
anything.

 

[Guest]

OK, but is it safe leaving off anti-virus? I've done many updates over the
past couple of years and always had Norton on and had no problems. After
all, there are so many hackers out there trying to have a go at any thing
Microsoft!

Cheers,

Robert

 

[PA Bear]

Yes, as long as you have no other windows open (e.g., IE, OE, messengers).

To be absolutely safe, download the updates and save for a later, offline
install.

 

[Guest]

Good advice, I've changed it.

Thanks,

Robert

Yes, as long as you have no other windows open (e.g., IE, OE, messengers).

To be absolutely safe, download the updates and save for a later, offline
install.

 

[PA Bear]

YW & thanks for posting back.
--
~PA Bear

Good advice, I've changed it.

Thanks,

Robert