Member Avatar for Bobamagoo

Ok, I'm a big computer nerd. Worked 3 years as a computer repairman. And I still can't figure this one out. Please help me be my girlfriend's hero here. She's running a wireless connection throgh a Linksys router. She sends her computer to a repair center, the run some amatuer tuneup on it, and now she can't vew any browser based email services.
Heres the symptoms:

1.) She goes to hotmail, tries to login and it gives her the "Page cannot be displayed" bit.
2.) She gets the same thing when trying to update windows.
3.) We both have an online school address run off a Microsoft Email Server accesible through our browser. The server is fine, but she can't access it.

At this point they must have messed up windows somehow. This is what I've done so far.

1.) Updating Windows. (Obviously can't do that.)
2.) Updated Internet Explorer.
3.) Brought down all internet security options
4.) Disable all of Norton Internet Security
5.) Ran a Winsock fix
6.) Adjusted the MTU (found this on a bunch of other threads)

At this point I would have run a windows repair or erased and reloaded, but she's not really computer literate at all. She gets scared if I say the word computer. I can walk her through finding an update or running a program, but anything beyond that is getting to the impossible. Anything you can give me, thank you so much in advance.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by SimpleJohn

Dani AI

Generated

Given 's description and 's tip about IE security levels, the next checks should target things that a repair shop tune‑up commonly leaves behind: a proxy or filtering component, altered per‑user IE settings, or a hosts/DNS change that breaks access to Microsoft web services. The OP's earlier winsock/MTU/antivirus steps covered many kernel- and firewall-level problems, so the focus here is on per‑user and router‑level configuration that would selectively block webmail and Windows Update.

Suggested diagnostic checklist (safe, reversible checks that can be walked through remotely):

  1. Verify IE proxy and offline settings: Tools → Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings — ensure “Use a proxy server” is cleared and (for testing) uncheck “Automatically detect settings.” Also confirm File → Work Offline is not checked. Try a different browser (portable Firefox or Chrome on USB) so the test isolates IE vs system networking.

  2. Quick network troubleshooting from a Command Prompt (run as administrator). These do not touch existing security products and will show whether name resolution or routing is the issue:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
nslookup www.hotmail.com
tracert www.hotmail.com

  1. Check the local hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for unexpected entries redirecting Microsoft domains. Also inspect Add/Remove Programs and Startup items for recently installed “proxy”, “filter”, “accelerator” or parental‑control software and temporarily disable them (or boot Safe Mode with Networking to test).

  2. Isolate router vs PC: connect the laptop to another network (phone tether or a friend’s Wi‑Fi) or hook it directly to the modem. If services work on another network, inspect the Linksys for Access Restrictions/URL filtering or contact the ISP. If the problem persists everywhere, a System Restore to a point before the shop’s changes or creating a fresh Windows user profile are reasonable next steps.

If these checks are uncomfortable for the end‑user, it’s appropriate to request the shop reverse their changes or to bring the machine to someone who can run the above safely.

Member Avatar for SimpleJohn

Hey Bobamagoo

Have you tried to check the browser security settings.
Go to Tools -> Internet Options.
Click on Security tab and see that it set to internet.
Then click the Privacy tab and check that it not set to the high level,
which you can't do almost anything in that level

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