Strange problem to solve

[john ranger]

On my Son's computer he can get to use ICQ MSN but the IE always shows the classic white page unable to connect. What could be the prob?? I tried to reinstall IE but still nothiing. Please help

He has XP pro as well

[Statica]

1) Is he behind a router? Please expand on his network connection
2) Can he ping an external address? Both ping an IP and ping a domain name? (for example can he get a reply when typing ping www.yahoo.com as well as when typing ping 216.109.118.74 ?
3) Does another browser work?
4) If he's using a broadband / LAN connection turn off automatic configuration detect by going to TOOLS > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings > UNCHECK Automatic detect settings & UNCHECK Use automatic configuration script.

Sorry more questions than answers but it will help us get to the bottom of this.

[john ranger]

Originally posted by Statica 1) Is he behind a router? Please expand on his network connection? It's a wireless three computer network the other two computers are working fine. 2) Can he ping an external address? Both ping an IP and ping a domain name? (for example can he get a reply when typing ping www.yahoo.com as well as when typing ping 216.109.118.74 ? I will try that right now and let you know. 3) Does another browser work? He has no other browser on board 4) If he's using a broadband / LAN connection turn off automatic configuration detect by going to TOOLS > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings > UNCHECK Automatic detect settings & UNCHECK Use automatic configuration script. Yes he is using broadband/lan and I will check that out now thanks Sorry more questions than answers but it will help us get to the bottom of this.

[john ranger]

2) Can he ping an external address? Both ping an IP and ping a domain name? (for example can he get a reply when typing ping www.yahoo.com as well as when typing ping 216.109.118.74 ?

OK I did that and it seems to be ok with no packet loss it's making a connection



4) If he's using a broadband / LAN connection turn off automatic configuration detect by going to TOOLS > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings > UN CHECK Automatic detect settings & UN CHECK Use automatic configuration script.

I did that it was checked so I unchecked it but still no change.

What's next? Thanks

[Statica]

Ok so this is what we know so far; it is a stable connection (IM's work) where he is receiving an IP; the computer is resolving domain names as well as being able to resolve IPs. I'd assume that it is an issue with the browser. By the way, has he tried going to http://216.109.118.74
I'd also check for spyware/run a virus check to be sure that nothing is causing this issue. Has he installed any program that might cause a change in IE's behavior (pop-up blocking/software firewall/Security updates/patches?). Is he able to browse with an alternate browser? Like firefox for example?
Also for good measure clear out internet cache and history. Damaged index files may also show this problem.

[john ranger]

Originally posted by Statica Ok so this is what we know so far; it is a stable connection (IM's work) where he is receiving an IP; the computer is resolving domain names as well as being able to resolve IPs. I'd assume that it is an issue with the browser. By the way, has he tried going to http://216.109.118.74 I'd also check for spyware/run a virus check to be sure that nothing is causing this issue. Has he installed any program that might cause a change in IE's behavior (pop-up blocking/software firewall/Security updates/patches?). Is he able to browse with an alternate browser? Like firefox for example? Also for good measure clear out internet cache and history. Damaged index files may also show this problem.

Ok I uploaded Firefox and it works perfect so obviously it's the IE that is corrupt right? But I reinstalled it why is it doing that?

[john ranger]

Ok I uploaded Firefox and it works perfect so obviously it's the IE that is corrupt right? But I reinstalled it why is it doing that?


I also found this problem the built in firewall that XP has was no visible got this window insted.Do you know how to get it back?

The system restore option is out because it was not on so I have nothing to go back to.

thanks

[Statica]

Is the WMI service running or was it turned off? (START > RUN > services.msc)

You can try this solution to recover from the WMI error:
Open a Command prompt (START > RUN > cmd)

Type the following commands (each line is a command so press enter after it..
net stop winmgmt
del /q %SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem\Repository\FS\INDEX.BTR
del /q %SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem\Repository\FS\OBJECTS.DATA

Shutdown the system

You will have to reconfigure any firewall or connection sharing after the step, if you previously had it.


If that doesnt resolve the issue, it might be time to do an in-place re-installation of XP.

[john ranger]

Thank you will try that!!