Thread: Internet connection help please!

OK, tech gurus, you seriously need to help me out here. I've been trying for over two hours now and this problem seems to be out of my class .

Here's the thing: A couple of days ago I noticed that my instant messenger couldn't connect to the internet anymore. I thought it was a server problem on their part, but now I checked some other programs that need connection and none is able to connect except Firefox (thank god for that). That means, no messenger, no Google Earth, no Internet Explorer, no daily virus updates and so on, so on...nothing works. I'd say something is blocking the ports these programs are using, but it's not the firewall.

I already tried the following:

- Deactivated/reinstalled firewall (both Windows and ZoneAlarm)
- reset all connection programs
- reset/reconfigured all the hardware (tried both WLAN and direct cable connection)
- used a system restore point

The result is always negative and I've run out of possible options. Has anyone ever encountered such a problem?
Is there a Windows setting I messed up...can it be the ISP blocking them...I don't have a clue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

what version of windows?

can you get to your DOS command line and run a couple of programs:

ipconfig /all - get your IP adresses (especially your DNS)

then ping Yahoo! and see if it goes through.

Originally Posted by nosoupforyou

what version of windows?

can you get to your DOS command line and run a couple of programs:

ipconfig /all - get your IP adresses (especially your DNS)

then ping Yahoo! and see if it goes through.

It's XP and I got the adresses. Ping looks good.

UPDATE: All programs work in safe mode, so some futhermucking thing is definitely blocking them in regular mode...

Originally Posted by Deadmarsh28

It's XP and I got the adresses. Ping looks good.

UPDATE: All programs work in safe mode, so some futhermucking thing is definitely blocking them in regular mode...

Sounds like it may be the work of rogue software.



1. Boot into Safe Mode With Networking. To do this, reboot your system while continuously tapping the F8 Key.

2. At the Options screen choose Safe Mode With Networking.

3. Download each of the following free software programs.
a. Malwarebytes
b. Superantispyware
c. Avast Home
d. Exterminate scan

4. Be sure to update the definitions for each program before running. These threats are changing by the hour and updating definitions is a must. Without updating, you are wasting your time.

5. Once you have downloaded and installed at least two of these, I suggest Avast Home as a second choice, turn off your system restore, and run the antivirus. It's necessary to turn off system restore because this is a favorite hiding place of Fake AntiMalware. Turning it off allows access to your complete drive. The restore function is usually disabled by the virus anyway so your not loosing anything. Running System Restore when infected only strengthens the trojans hold.

6. If given the option, allow the programs to check memory and boot sector on reboot.

7. I would run each program at least once in Safe Mode With Networking and again in regular Windows Mode.

8. When clear, be sure to turn on System Restore and create a new clean restore point.

If fortunate, you'll successfully remove these threats, but be aware that these nasty thieves are getting better and better at disguising themselves. If ignored for too long, their strangle hold is impossible to break.

Originally Posted by ImA1032

Sounds like it may be the work of rogue software.

You sir, you're my hero of the day. Thanks for giving me the hint I needed.

I let one of my tools scan the system (Combofix, very fast, very aggressive, highly recommended by the way) and it indeed found some junk. Doesn't look like the most dangerous thing out there, but it was enough to cripple my programs.

So, system clean, programs up and runnin'...thanks and mad karma to you and Nosoupforyou....

Originally Posted by Deadmarsh28

You sir, you're my hero of the day. Thanks for giving me the hint I needed.

I let one of my tools scan the system (Combofix, very fast, very aggressive, highly recommended by the way) and it indeed found some junk. Doesn't look like the most dangerous thing out there, but it was enough to cripple my programs.

So, system clean, programs up and runnin'...thanks and mad karma to you and Nosoupforyou....

Yup... SOP for those programs. They attempt to disable your internet access and your antivirus/antimalware software, basically leaving you dead in the water. Everyone who programs that crap should be thrown out onto the field in Philly and tazed endlessly.

OK, apparently this is not over...and to be honest it's getting quite ridiculous:

I still have the problems described in the OP...the ridiculous part is that it's following a distinctive "pattern":

- the problems occur only every second day. That means monday=problems, tuesday=all good, wednesday=problems, thursday=all good and so on. Crazy, right?
-the problems apparently always occur at a specific time frame, mostly between 6 and 7 p.m.

When this "pattern" strikes again, I get zero connection, this time not even with Firefox. I'm only able to solve these problems (for one day ) by running my virus scanner (finds nothing though), and restoring the system right after that. If I do only one, it doesn't work.

I've tried almost every known and reliable virus and malware scanner (Avira, Malwarebytes, SpyHunter, Combofix, AdAware) and all say my system is clean. As this is pissing me off seriously, I'm on the brink of re-installing Windows, but I'd like to avoid reinstalling all my tiny little helper programs if possible.

Bottom line: what the hell is wrong with my system? I'd appreciate any possible hint.

can you describe what junk your ComboFix found?
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by Deadmarsh28

OK, apparently this is not over...and to be honest it's getting quite ridiculous:

I still have the problems described in the OP...the ridiculous part is that it's following a distinctive "pattern":

- the problems occur only every second day. That means monday=problems, tuesday=all good, wednesday=problems, thursday=all good and so on. Crazy, right?
-the problems apparently always occur at a specific time frame, mostly between 6 and 7 p.m.

When this "pattern" strikes again, I get zero connection, this time not even with Firefox. I'm only able to solve these problems (for one day ) by running my virus scanner (finds nothing though), and restoring the system right after that. If I do only one, it doesn't work.

I've tried almost every known and reliable virus and malware scanner (Avira, Malwarebytes, SpyHunter, Combofix, AdAware) and all say my system is clean. As this is pissing me off seriously, I'm on the brink of re-installing Windows, but I'd like to avoid reinstalling all my tiny little helper programs if possible.

Bottom line: what the hell is wrong with my system? I'd appreciate any possible hint.

Install and run this first - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then this - SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Lastly this - http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix.exe



Update all 3, run all 3, run all of your windows updates and reboot the computer.

If its still acting weird, backup your data and reload Windows. You are better off at that point.