Email ok, pings, but no internet access

My laptop via a wireless router works fine (I'm using it now) but I can't get to the internet from my desktop pc, even though email works from it and I can ping www.ford.com from it.
What is wrong?

**one possible cause of this is a virus..

1.  Desktop Computer.
     a.  What operating system and service pack level?
     b.  Using the same wireless router as the laptop?
     c.  Are you using software firewall?
     d.  Which browser(s) have you tried?
     e.  Check browser internet connect configuration.  Does it use "proxy" settings?
     f.  For test purposes, try to access website using a different protocol/port?  For example, "https://www.eff.org".

2.  Laptop Computer.
     a.  Are you using software firewall?

Win 2000 V5.0 SP4 (I've has this operating system for 9 years and I still like it)
The Comcast cable comes from the wall into the modem, out to the wireless router, into the desktop pc.
Not sure about the firewall. I have McAffee but I don't have internet access "locked down" I dont'know of any specific firewall software in my desktop pc.
I have "Use a Proxy server for your LAN..." and "Bypass proxy server for local addresse" checked off.
I normally use IE 6.0. I just tried Firefox. www.ford.com works!  "https://www.eff.org" worfks too!  Hmmm...
I rebooted twice, deleted cookies and temp internet files, ran a McAffee scan which found among 3 other things CSRSS.exe, which does not appear to interrupt IE connectivity.
What is wrong with my pc? 

I have "Use a Proxy server for your LAN..." and "Bypass proxy server for local addresse" checked off.
I normally use IE 6.0. I just tried Firefox. www.ford.com works!  "https://www.eff.org" worfks too!  Hmmm...

1.  Internet Explorer.  Uncheck box for "Use a proxy server for your LAN" and select the "OK" button.  The dependent "Bypass proxy server for local addresses" entry will "gray" out meaning it's essentially inactive (so I don't think it matters whether you cleared the check box before disabling use of proxy server).

I think you should be good to go.  Try it (not sure if you need to reboot first).  I don't know why you would have a proxy server set unless your security software (McAfee) uses it to screen stuff before passing it on to you.  I guess you could always uninstall McAfee, reboot, install McAfee, reboot; and see if and when it sets it.

2.  Firefox.  If you check the internet connect configuration for Firefox, I think you'll find no proxy server set.  On the Firefox browser I'm currently running, v2.0.0.20 (quite old version); you would access configuration via:
     o  Tools pulldown menu ->
     o  Options...
     o  Advanced icon (from top row of icons)
     o  Network tab
     o  Connection "Settings" button
     o  On the Connection Settings window, "Direct connection to the internet" is the only active entry I have selected.

May be different on your version of Firefox.

3.  Potential Malware.  Please see the "Computer viruses and spyware" subcategory of the ComputerHope forums for malware assistance.  (Home to some pretty good cyber warriors.)  Start with Read this before requesting malware removal help.

#1 above worked. How simple. Did not need to reboot.
I don't think I'll find how it got changed.
I've had McAfee for several years.
Thanks for your help.

Is ComputerHope Mormon based? I noticed the SLC headquarters for the website.

Is ComputerHope Mormon based? I noticed the SLC headquarters for the website.

I don't know...  In what sense...  Would that fall under "religion", "politics", "sex", or something we can safely talk about?

Ok enough of that.
Did that proxy change set up some sort of website blocking?
I can get to any site I've tried except Google. How weird.
What is doing it?

Most likely you have a malware infection if you can't access Google....go here , follow the directions and post the required logs and a specialist will fix you up.......

I did a quick web search, deleted a file called "hosts" at
C:\WINT\system32\drivers\etc. Now Google works. Did I just delete something I might need? I usually stay out of system32.

Yes Karnac,

When I have some spare time in the next couple of days I will go through the steps.
Thanks.

I did a quick web search, deleted a file called "hosts" at
C:\WINT\system32\drivers\etc. Now Google works. Did I just delete something I might need? I usually stay out of system32.

Before you start deleting things that you don't know what they are you need to follow the advice given by both Dahlarbear and Karnac. Follow the below link and let a specialist assist you from there.

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html