[PizzaMan]

I just cleaned my mother-in-law's PC from a nasty malware attack, now I can't get IE to connect to the Internet. I've tired installing Firefox, reinstalling Dell network drivers, disabling Windows firewall, and restoring browser Internet options to default. I can also ping google.com with the CMD prompt, but no browser connection.

What else can I do?

 

[Lige]

Have you tried resetting the Winsock files?

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html

 

[PizzaMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH0 Have you tried resetting the Winsock files? http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html

Just tried it. Didn't work. Any other suggestions?

 

[Lige]

Make sure that all your DHCP/Static settings, Router Settings, Modem Settings, etc are correct.

 

[PizzaMan]

Router and modem are fine. My comp is not having any issues with connection. Plus, I know the comp is connected, I can ping google with CMD prompt.

Don't know how to check DHCP and I'm on a dynamic ISP not static.

I can follow instructions though.

 

[StarryNite]

Have you released the IP and DNS, flushed both and reregistered both? Sometimes the DNS cache can cause headaches, and clearing it out helps (especially in these "I can ping out" but can't draw a resolved IP -- also double check the 3 DNS servers and ensure they're ISP related, no telling what malware could've changed).

 

[PizzaMan]

IN CMD I did 'ipconfig /release' and 'ipconfig /renew'. It doesn't show anything next to DNS. How do I assign a DNS?

 

[StarryNite]

(Don't have XP now but...) Get into your LAN settings, right click it to Properties. In the DNS field usually it's assigned as automatic, but if automatic doesn't work, check with your ISP and get the 3 DNS servers ISP and type them in manually.

Without DNS servers you can't resolve IP address names (e.g., www.overclocker.net), just the numbers.

 

[PizzaMan]

Nothing is working... I'm going to get her Dell restore disc and try a non-destructive repair.

 

[keyboard_commando]

Might be worth checking the Hosts file

%SystemRoot%\\system32\\drivers\\etc\\

If you DONT have Spybot Search and Destroy (SSD fills Hosts file with a bunch of malware site redirects)... there should be just "127.0.0.1 localhost" inside. Delete anything else. You can open Hosts file with notepad.

 

[PizzaMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyboard_commando Might be worth checking the Hosts file %SystemRoot%system32driversetc If you DONT have Spybot Search and Destroy (SSD fills Hosts file with a bunch of malware site redirects)... there should be just "127.0.0.1 localhost" inside. Delete anything else. You can open Hosts file with notepad.

I got up this morning and starting the repair disc. Just now saw your post. If I still have issues I'll give it a try.

thx

 

[PizzaMan]

errrr, system repair didn't work either. Tried a new networking card....no luck.

Looks like I'm just going to have to backup her data and do a clean install of XP.