did i get a virus?

[Little Whiskey]

somthing's back again......i think.

I cannot get the pc to get log on to the internet. It shows that i am connected, but the IE goes to a fail page. I've re-ran malwarbytes and its found nothing. I've not used that computer since i thought i fixed it. I went to fire it up today to install Firefox like other have suggested. this pc has no other browsers on it other than IE. However, i was able to update my version of Malwarebytes. wierd? how can i tell if its a virus issue or a software/hardware issue?

[MadScientist]

somthing's back again......i think.

I cannot get the pc to get log on to the internet. It shows that i am connected, but the IE goes to a fail page. I've re-ran malwarbytes and its found nothing. I've not used that computer since i thought i fixed it. I went to fire it up today to install Firefox like other have suggested. this pc has no other browsers on it other than IE. However, i was able to update my version of Malwarebytes. wierd? how can i tell if its a virus issue or a software/hardware issue?

Lots of things can screw up networking. First thing to try is rebooting the router (you may have to pull the plug since they often don't have switches despite needing them). Even if other computers can connect, the router can still be a problem for another computer. If that fails, reboot the system, and check any firewall settings to see that IE is actually allowed to connect to the internet.

If that fails, copy all your files off, paint a target on the box and shoot the damn thing. It's earned it.

[Freak Out]

somthing's back again......i think.

I cannot get the pc to get log on to the internet. It shows that i am connected, but the IE goes to a fail page. I've re-ran malwarbytes and its found nothing. I've not used that computer since i thought i fixed it. I went to fire it up today to install Firefox like other have suggested. this pc has no other browsers on it other than IE. However, i was able to update my version of Malwarebytes. wierd? how can i tell if its a virus issue or a software/hardware issue?

Lots of things can screw up networking. First thing to try is rebooting the router (you may have to pull the plug since they often don't have switches despite needing them). Even if other computers can connect, the router can still be a problem for another computer. If that fails, reboot the system, and check any firewall settings to see that IE is actually allowed to connect to the internet.

If that fails, copy all your files off, paint a target on the box and shoot the damn thing. It's earned it.

Exactly.....if you are running through wireless router/router that is your problem... disconnect the power from the router for a 10 count and you should reconnect. I was on an open cable network once and I was attacked daily and the things firewall was always shutting off traffic....what a pain.

[retailguy]

somthing's back again......i think.

I cannot get the pc to get log on to the internet. It shows that i am connected, but the IE goes to a fail page. I've re-ran malwarbytes and its found nothing. I've not used that computer since i thought i fixed it. I went to fire it up today to install Firefox like other have suggested. this pc has no other browsers on it other than IE. However, i was able to update my version of Malwarebytes. wierd? how can i tell if its a virus issue or a software/hardware issue?

Old versions of Norton Antivirus were notorius for this type of crap. Personally, I unplugged Norton several years ago and have never looked back. I'm using Microsoft Security essentials now, and it does a pretty good job. Plus it's free. I've also used the free version of AVG. Both are much better than Norton ever was.

[retailguy]

somthing's back again......i think.

I cannot get the pc to get log on to the internet. It shows that i am connected, but the IE goes to a fail page. I've re-ran malwarbytes and its found nothing. I've not used that computer since i thought i fixed it. I went to fire it up today to install Firefox like other have suggested. this pc has no other browsers on it other than IE. However, i was able to update my version of Malwarebytes. wierd? how can i tell if its a virus issue or a software/hardware issue?

Lots of things can screw up networking. First thing to try is rebooting the router (you may have to pull the plug since they often don't have switches despite needing them). Even if other computers can connect, the router can still be a problem for another computer. If that fails, reboot the system, and check any firewall settings to see that IE is actually allowed to connect to the internet.

If that fails, copy all your files off, paint a target on the box and shoot the damn thing. It's earned it.

Exactly.....if you are running through wireless router/router that is your problem... disconnect the power from the router for a 10 count and you should reconnect. I was on an open cable network once and I was attacked daily and the things firewall was always shutting off traffic....what a pain.

I don't think the problem is the router as he was able to update malwarebytes from the problem laptop. The router should stop all traffic, not just IE.

[pbmax]

Some malware removers can break a network connection depending on the type of fix it must apply. Although its an open question to me whether it would then be able to connect for an update.

If typical troubleshooting doesn't help, you could try to download Super Anti Spyware. Its a free scanner as well. Occasionally, it will find things that Malwarebytes doesn't.

The advantage to SAS is that it includes some commands to fix broken services after you have removed malware. A broken internet connection is one of the repairs it can perform. But I would try this only if basic troubleshooting fails.

SAS can be found here: http://www.superantispyware.com/down...NTISPYWAREFREE

Directions can be found here for XP/Vista/Seven: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=127217

[Little Whiskey]

I unplugged the router and turned it back on......still can't get IE to load up.

I've installed and ran SAS. It found a some things that Malwarebytes missed........but still can't get IE to connect to the internet

As was suggested i removed my old version of Norton.......still can't get IE to connect.

this is strange. the icon in the lower left of my screen says that it is connected, but IE pops up a failed page when i try to open it.

Could it be an issue with IE? can i download a copy of firefox, could i be able to connect thru that?

ugh!

[Little Whiskey]

I tried installing the AVG 9.0, i was told my version of windows is too old. WTF! its XP!

[retailguy]

I suspect that the virus has changed your internet settings. Installing firefox might work, and it might not. Depends on the settings.

Are you familiar with the settings in IE on the tools menu, select internet settings...

I'll see if I can find something that'll walk you though it.

I think the PC is online, I just think it's mis-configured.

[Little Whiskey]

thanks retail

I installed Firefox and figured out how to get it to work. Proxy settings were screwed with. (fyi, i needed help figuring out what the hell that was! i still don't know, but at least whatever i did worked....kinda) However, i can't get IE to work. I'm now trying to update XP, but for some reason evertime i try clicking on the update on Microsofts website, the page won't open in Firefox. maybe microsoft is pissed that i'm not using IE.

[retailguy]

thanks retail

I installed Firefox and figured out how to get it to work. Proxy settings were screwed with. (fyi, i needed help figuring out what the hell that was! i still don't know, but at least whatever i did worked....kinda) However, i can't get IE to work. I'm now trying to update XP, but for some reason evertime i try clicking on the update on Microsofts website, the page won't open in Firefox. maybe microsoft is pissed that i'm not using IE.

Windows update only works in IE. You can find specific things via firefox and update using firefox, but the update tool only works with IE.

Open the settings in firefox, then open the settings in IE. Figure out which one is causing the issue. As I recall (and it's been literally 5 years since I've used IE), that they're named differently but you should be able to sort the similarities.

My guess is you've got a proxy server controlling IE. Remove that and it'll probably work.

[retailguy]

this shows how to display proxy settings in both browsers.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6352794_fix-proxy-server-settings.html

[Sparkey]

ATFCleaner
Combofix
Spybot seek and destroy
Malware Bytes
Comodo
Hijack This

All good tolls, although some can destroy your registry if you don't know what you are doing with them.