SP2 Killed my internet!

[myolbug]

Hello, I am a noob to this site, and I have searched here as well as other forums. I have an older machine that has XP, and after installing SP2, via auto update, it has killed my internet. In safe mode, all works fine. At first , after installing 60(!) updates, ( hasn't been online in a LONG time!), it killed Firefox and Thunderbird. Then after getting SP2, it killed IE.
Again, everything works in Safe Mode. Any ideas?

Another really odd thing, is when I uninstalled SP2 last night, I got IE back, but everytime I went to the download page of Napster or Rhapsody or Itunes, I would get a page not found.

Argh!

[jamesrpm]

You may need newer drivers for your network card or modem . Check the manufactures site for them.

[myolbug]

It is a brand new NIC, and everything worked great prior to. I just don't understand what it is in SP2 that is stopping this. I had this problema long time ago, when I used XP, now I use Ubuntu. I just can't recall the fix for it. The fact that everything works in safe mode tells me that it is software related.

But, I very well could be wrong!

[sgtspector]

SP2 installs the windows firewall. Go to control panel ==> security ==> windows firewall and see if it is on. It may be blocking access. Also if you already had a firewall installed you should either uninstall it or disable windows firewall. HTH.

[myolbug]

I have the firewall turned off. i don't have an additional one, due to the computer being on a router.
No difference. Can't connect.

[myolbug]

I read this thread but it didn't make a difference. I am uninstalling SP2 now, then I will run WinSockXP again, and see if it makes a difference. if I can just get Firefox and Thunderbird back, I will be happy.

This is why I use Linux. All i wanted to do was download music from napster and Rhapsody. Stupid me to think that WinDohs would work.

Gee I can't wait to try VisDuh!!!

[Lespaul20]

You are getting a connection right? What are you using, wireless or wired?

[myolbug]

No difference after uninstalling SP2. Gawd, whatever happened to a program that just works? Maybe it has something to do with the SmartPC program that was the free deal thing. i dunno. It looks like I will have to buy an XP disc and reinstall.

[myolbug]

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 You are getting a connection right? What are you using, wireless or wired?

Lespaul20,
Yes, that I am getting. I am using a Belkin wireless router, but using it wired for both my Ubuntu machine, and the XP machine. Linux works just fine. Now that I have dumped SP2, I have IE back, but not FF or Tbird. And, I still can't connect to Napster or Rhapsody download pages. I can go to the home page, but not the download pages. Really weird.
Does anyone know about XP SP3?

[jamesrpm]

Originally Posted by myolbug No difference after uninstalling SP2. Gawd, whatever happened to a program that just works? Maybe it has something to do with the SmartPC program that was the free deal thing. i dunno. It looks like I will have to buy an XP disc and reinstall.

What did you use for the initial install of XP ?

[myolbug]

James, I don't know. The PC was given to me. It is running XP Home, so maybe that is the problem? I have only used XP Pro in the past.

[jamesrpm]

I'd go for a clean install , you can't tell what has been done to the system before you got it. XP home would be fine not a lot of diffrence between it and pro .

[myolbug]

Thanx James, I kind of have that opinion too.

[law99]

Usually most problematic SP2 installs are because there is some type of infection present. Do a HJT log with a advisor before installation.

[glc]

If you don't have much data to save, a good old nuke and pave ought to fix it right up. If you have a legal product key, you don't have to buy a CD, you can borrow/burn/copy one.

[jamesrpm]

And there are programs that will show you your lic. # , I use Belarc Advisor to make a record of computer software and lic. numbers installed on a system.

[Techdec42]

Well dont feel too bad. Everytime i install SP2 it freezes on boot, what ever happens after mup.sys loads it stops the boot.

[myolbug]

Well lo and behold! It wasn't SP2 that killed the internet, it was Norton. I am SO glad to have that off of my machine. EVERY problem I experienced, from Firefox and Thunderbird not working to IE6 not connecting to HTTPS was because of that AHole of a program. Good Riddance!

Now, all is well, though I don't think that I am going to be installing SP2, as I have a router and AVG. I can get to Rhapsody to get music, and quite frankly, that is all I need windows for. If there is a real and compelling reason to install SP2 or SP# even, then I may do it.

THANKS to all for your help!

[glc]

ANY computer connected to the Internet through ANYTHING needs SP2 and all critical updates.