Unusual connection problem..

[walsh_18]

Hello,

This is a strange problem that I have never encountered before, I am hoping someone can help me.

I am using a desktop computer that has had no issues for the 2+ years I have used it.

- Windows 7
- Internet Explorer 9
- I connect to the internet using a Linksys Wireless G USB adapter. I admit it is probably 5+ years old and doesn't provide the strongest signal but have had no problems with it otherwise.
- 2 days ago I go to get on internet explorer and it says I cannot connect to the internet even though I have a connection established. Am also able to connect fine through 2 different laptops on our secure home network.
- Finally I notice in the start menu that there is a regular 'Internet Explorer' along with an 'Internet Explorer (64 bit)' It seems I had been using the regular one as my shortcut icon. When I use the 64 bit icon I can get on the internet and everything seems fine BUT..
- Anytime I go to a site where flash player is required it says I do not have it installed (even though I do and these are sites I frequent daily). When I try to update my flash player (Adobe) it says that it cannot connect to the internet and to check my connection. I have uninstalled it and now cannot reinstall the program at all.
- I ran a thorough virus scan (Norton 360) and found no problems but noticed my virus definitions are 2 days old and these are usually updated every few hours.
- When I run liveupdate it also says that it cannot connect to the symantec servers due to no internet connection.
- I also use bittorrent for downloading and am now unable to download anything as it says my listen port must be changed (but when I run tests it says the port is fine) (I am not expecting help on this I am just mentioning because it seems it is related to the problem)
- I still cannot access my internet browser using the old 'Internet Explorer' icon that I used to use.
- I have ensured that scripting, activeX is enabled.

I have not done anything irregular that would cause this sudden change. I have udpated using windows update today and ensure my driver on the USB adapter is up to date. My only thought is that the USB adapter is finally failing, but then how am I able to type this to you?

Sorry for the long message but I wanted to give as much info as possible.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[geek hoodlum]

Hi and welcome to Computer Hope!

Have you tried to ping any websites using command prompt window?

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Click on All Programs, Accessories, and on Command Prompt.
OR
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the Start Menu search box area type cmd and press Enter.

In Command Prompt window type ping malwarebytes.org , what is the result?
Try other websites like ping avira.com , what is the result?

Some malware manipulates or hijack internet browser. So you need to make sure first that your system is 100% free from malware before to troubleshoot others.

Try also other browsers like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome and see if it will give you the same problem.

[walsh_18]

No I have not.

Can you provide some direction on this?

[geek hoodlum]

No I have not.

Can you provide some direction on this?

I just modified my post. Please see the changes.

[walsh_18]

Pinging malwarebytes.org [184.173.97.192] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 184.173.97.192: bytes=32 time=97ms TTL=53
Reply from 184.173.97.192: bytes=32 time=77ms TTL=53
Reply from 184.173.97.192: bytes=32 time=110ms TTL=53
Reply from 184.173.97.192: bytes=32 time=85ms TTL=53

Ping statistics for 184.173.97.192:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 77ms, Maximum = 110ms, Average = 92ms

Pinging avira.com [62.146.210.52] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 62.146.210.52: bytes=32 time=166ms TTL=54
Reply from 62.146.210.52: bytes=32 time=161ms TTL=54
Reply from 62.146.210.52: bytes=32 time=163ms TTL=54
Reply from 62.146.210.52: bytes=32 time=167ms TTL=54

Ping statistics for 62.146.210.52:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 161ms, Maximum = 167ms, Average = 164ms


Looks like everything is ok? I assume if there was packet loss then that would indicate a problem?

[geek hoodlum]

We test the reachability of the host. Ping results means that you have Internet connection and can reach those two websites.

2 days ago I go to get on internet explorer and it says I cannot connect to the internet even though I have a connection established

Try to reset the settings of your Internet Explorer.  On the Tools menu, click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, click the Reset button in Reset Internet Explorer settings. What is the result?

Have you tried other web browsers? You can download Mozilla Firefox using other computer, copy and save it to USB Flash Drive, then insert your USB Flash Drive in the problematic computer, copy and save the installer in your desktop and install it. Try also Google Chrome.

If the two browsers are having the same problem, this is my suggestion: Computer Hope Virus and Spyware section Guidelines

[Amacidia]

Hello!

Good suggestion with resetting Internet Explorers settings. Sounds like there are some incorrect proxy settings that could of been setup to prevent browsing.

[walsh_18]

Internet explorer settings were reset but that did not rectify the problem.

I downloaded mozilla but am unable to surf the internet, gives me the same problem as the original 'internet explorer' did in my original post.

Google chrome was able to download, but when installing it tries to connect to the internet and can't so it will not fully install.

Looks like I will now follow the Virus and Spyware section Guidelines you have linked. I will let update you after that.

Thank you for all your help so far!

[geek hoodlum]

Am also able to connect fine through 2 different laptops on our secure home network.

I'm just confused. Does your Linksys Wireless G USB adapter and your secure home network are two different connections? If yes, did you try the problematic desktop computer to each connections? What are the testing results in each connection?

Regarding Computer Hope Virus and Spyware section Guidelines, if you found any detection, please create a new topic in this section.

[walsh_18]

Sorry for the confusion.

There is only one secure home network. The desktop uses the USB adapter to connect. The laptops can connect to the same home network and are operating normally.

[Amacidia]

Can you double check your DNS settings ?

[walsh_18]

Can you double check your DNS settings ?

Can you please explain how to do this? I looked in the places I know but can't find any info on DNS. Sorry, I am a newb!

[walsh_18]

I believe I found it.

My DNS settings are set to automatic.

[Amacidia]

Hey Walsh_18,

When you open IE 32bit version and it displays page cannot be displayed, are you able to navigate to another website ?

Might be worth you double checking your host file to see if there is any odd entries in that file.

Please check this link on how to check your host file.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-hosts-file/

[walsh_18]

Hey Walsh_18,

When you open IE 32bit version and it displays page cannot be displayed, are you able to navigate to another website ?

Might be worth you double checking your host file to see if there is any odd entries in that file.

Please check this link on how to check your host file.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-hosts-file/

No I cannot navigate anywhere using IE 32bit version.

I accessed the host files but am not sure how to look at the actual host. All of the documents in this folder just say they are sample files....

[walsh_18]

I was able to run the Microsoft fixit program from their website to reset my host to default but nothing has changed.

[Amacidia]

Hey sorry for my delay, busy time of year.

Please do us a favour and post a ipconfig /all so we can see your network settings.