Connection problems

[moriah]

Running Windows XP home edition on a pentium 4 system. Can access email but not browse internet or log onto MSN Messenger neither wireless or ethernet. Any suggestions? Also programs taking ages to load.

[ale52]

Need...more...info...gasp 

Operating system / antivirus & antispyware protection / service packs installed / when did it start happening / did it ever work right / installed any new software?

Alan <>< 

[moriah]

Hi Alan,
Intel P4, 512 meg ram, XP Home SP2, no antivirus / spyware software installed, firewall disabled, no software installed after Dlink wireless card was installed. I had recently formatted the drive and put everything back on. Before I installed the wireless net card all programs such as Word, Outlook Express, Explorer etc took at least 3 full minutes to open - this is still the case. I had a program called Network Magic installed but removed it, this made no difference to either program start time or net connection. As of right now I can still access email but neither the internet or messenger using either the wireless card or the ethernet port. Obviously I'm sending this from another pc.
Tony

[JXY]

If your programs are taking ages to load, and you haven't got any antivirus software or an active firewall, there's a high possibility that you've been infected. Some viruses aren't that obvious. But if you run a full system scan using antivirus software, you might be surprised.

[ale52]

I agree with JXY.  You need to install / update and run some AV & AS software.

Start here:

Crap Cleaner
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Adaware
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

AVG
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-free

Spywareblaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Alan <>< 

[moriah]

Thanks guys, I'll give that a try and get back to you.