Strange problem that I have never encountered before...

Before I get started I have to admit that this is a desktop but my problem isn't with hardware so it shouldn't make a difference and I REALLY don't feel like signing up for another forum at the moment. Alright, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on this matter. I'm working on a computer for a friend right now, and it appears that the internet isn't working (I hate that phrase and I'm sure you do too but there isn't any other way to explain it). The ethernet adapter is not the problem (I swapped it for one in my computer that I know is working) and I can see the computer in the workgroup computers (I moved the drivers over the network as well, so everything is working there). I reinstalled the drivers for the network card and I ran spybot and avast just to make sure it wasnt a virus or spyware (both of which were present but the problem was not fixed after there removal). I have tried several browsers (firefox, ie, etc.) and a few other programs (gaim, windows update) just to double check and nothing appears to be working. I ran intel's little diagnostic tool and it says everything checks out. Ohh I also rebooted in safe mode and it appears as though everything is working. I don't get it, I'm going to keep digging but I was just wondering if anyone here had any suggestions. Ohh, its a dell dimension 4600 with a intell pro/100ve ethernet adapter. Uhh, I'm really thinking its just a program or something thats running and screwing everything up (I've been fooling with it while I've been typing this so my views on the problem have been changing). I'm going to just try ending random processes until I find the culprit.

 

Does the network use a proxy to connect to the internet? If you're running Windows Vista, is the signal too weak?

 

No, its XP, and no proxy. I'm trying to find that article on how to end system processes but I can't seem to locate it.

 

Hmmm, this really bugs me, I ended all processes (other than the network drivers and vital system processes) and it STILL won't work. This really has me stumped.

 

It might be the infamous Winsock problem. Google it and see if you can find any solutions.

Also try reinstalling OS.

 

Format would probably be the easiest solution, although I hate to recommend it.

Winsock fix:

Start > Run >regedit
File > Export Registry (always create a backup before touching the registry)
Delete the following keys:
HKLM > System > CurrentControlSet > Services > Winsock
HKLM > System > CurrentControlSet > Services > Winsock2
Open up Network Connections
Right click on the ethernet adapter > Properties
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the List
Click Install
Click Protocol, Add
Click Have Disk
Type C:\Windows\INF in the box and click Ok
Select Microsoft as the Manufacturer and TCP/IP from the list of protocols
Click Ok
Reboot

Pr0f1t... er, well, connect to the internet

 

Yeah, I want to do everything I can to avoid a format, but I realize it would be ohhh so much easier. Thanks for the advice, in a little while, just gotta write a paper first.

 

sounds stupid, but you are pulling an IP # from the router right?
run/cmd/ipconfig

 

Try browsing to 72.14.205.99 (in IE, FF) on that system and let us know what happens. If it works then your problem is DNS-configuration related. If it doesn't then it's something else.

 

Well, if he's not pulling an IP from the router, he'll get a self-assigned (169) address, which would cause Windows to give a "Limited or No Connectivity Error" and would be corrected by the winsock fix I provided above.

 

I've had that problem before, and I'm pretty sure mine was caused by some kind of worm.

I forgot how I fixed the problem exactly, but I would run a virus scan with the latest updates, stingers, adaware, etc. Also, can you ping your Gateway or any website?

 

Yeah, there are other causes for self assigned IPs, but in my experience, 90% are winsock issues.

 

Avast just finished scanning and it found a few infected files, I got rid of them. Spybot picked a few things up too. Didn't fix the problem, I'm trying the winsockfix.

 

ROFL, god I love microsoft. I found an article with a "guided help" thing on how to fix the winsock thing (the instructions you gave me dragonesse, well, I was unable to locate the directory you were talking about in the registry editor). Well guess what the guided help thing needs to do to work, CONNECT TO THE INTERNET, duhhh, to show me how to fix a winsock problem that is....stopping me from connecting to the internet.

 

I just tried that "unable to connect", I also tried microsofts little fix (got it to work) and it didn't work. I just think its so strange how everything works when in safe mode but otherwise, no.

 

Alright, screw this, I'm telling the lady that I need to reformat the drive, thats the only way to fix it. I could spend hours screwing with the registry and DNS configuration crap and never make any head way.

 

Have you tried the system on a different network? It might be just that your router is not giving out any more IP addresses... Can that system connect with your NIC in it? if not then reformat is by far the fastest way to fix this

 

Yeah, I've tried it on the a different network. No clue about the NIC thing, how would I go about finding this out?