Member Avatar for shark3189

i have internet explorer for windows XP and service pack 1.whenever i type anything in the address bar it says "Cannot find 'www.yahoo.com', make sure the path or internet address is correct" or whatever site i go to. how can i stop this?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

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Short summary and practical next steps for the exact symptom in this thread (typing anything in IE’s address bar gives “Cannot find <site>” while links/favourites still work). This is commonly a browser-only problem caused by changed Internet Explorer search / URL-prefix registry values or a malicious search helper; it can also be a plain DNS/network issue. ’s idea to separate network vs browser is the right first move, and ’s registry restore helped others here. (daniweb.com)

Quick diagnostics (run these from a Command Prompt). If a numeric IP works but names fail, it’s DNS; if both fail, it’s connectivity. Back up anything important before proceeding.

ping 127.0.0.1
ping 8.8.8.8
nslookup www.yahoo.com
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /all

Interpretation: a successful ping to an IP but failing nslookup or name pings means DNS resolution problems; failing IP pings means network/TCP issues. If the network checks point to TCP/Winsock problems, Microsoft’s guidance for resetting TCP/IP / Winsock is the supported path. (learn.microsoft.com)

If network tests are fine and the problem is only when typing addresses into IE, do this (in order):

  • Try an in‑browser reset: Tools → Internet Options → Advanced → Reset (backs IE to defaults). This is the safest first fix. (support.microsoft.com)
  • If that doesn’t help, the issue is usually altered URL prefix or SearchAssistant/SearchPage registry values. Restoring the DefaultPrefix/Prefixes and the IE search keys fixes the address‑bar behavior; many experienced helpers publish small .reg restorers for this. Always Export (backup) the affected keys first, and only merge reg fixes from trusted sources. (forums.majorgeeks.com)

Finally, run a full on‑demand anti‑malware scan (Malwarebytes / Spybot or equivalent) before trusting a registry merge, since hijackers commonly change these values. If unsure, copy exported registry backups and use System Restore or ask a technician rather than editing keys blindly. (help.malwarebytes.com)

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All 14 Replies

Member Avatar for bill786

Same Problem with me click here for more info
I think that is the same problem that you are experiencing, but caper jack told me that there is a registry fix for that, but I am still trying to find it. By the way, fi any of you other guys know what the fix is, then please tell me.

Member Avatar for shark3189

Same Problem with me click here for more info
I think that is the same problem that you are experiencing, but caper jack told me that there is a registry fix for that, but I am still trying to find it. By the way, fi any of you other guys know what the fix is, then please tell me.

its kinda the same thing except this happens when i type ANYTHING (yahoo, yahoo.com, www.yahoo.com, etc.)

Member Avatar for DMR

- When did this start happening?

- Have you verified that your Internet connection to your ISP is functioning? Try these steps and see what you get; tell us what happens for each step:

1. Open a DOS box and type the following commands (in order) at the prompt:

ping localhost
ping 127.0.0.1
ping www.google.com
ping

2. Open Internet Explorer and type the following in the Address bar:

Member Avatar for shark3189

my internet works fine, its just that i cant type anything in the address bar so i have to use links

Member Avatar for DMR

Did you try step #2 of my above post? If so, did that give you the same error?

Member Avatar for shark3189

i finally got it working :D thanks

Member Avatar for DMR

Could you tell how you got it? Posting that information here could help others in the future.

Thanks.

Member Avatar for mhoi

Try this ... ;) :cheesy:


Download this .reg file to a temporary place, like Desktop. http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/IEFIX.reg
Double-click on it and answer Yes.
It will restore all the default Search settings for IE.

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i can say, this really worked for me! thanks a lot!

Member Avatar for caperjack

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i can say, this really worked for me! thanks a lot!

Good to here it helped !:)

Member Avatar for bmacuk

I have the same browswer problem that you described on daniweb...i must type in http:// before all web addresses; if I don't, the webpage cannot be found. I have seen several people say that the iefix.reg file from spywareinfo.com fixes the problem, unfortunately, that website no longer seems to be accessible. Do you have a copy of this file? Would you mind emailing it to me at ?
Thanks much,
Brett McVey

Member Avatar for bill786

I sent you the file, just download it from the attached file in the Email.

Member Avatar for diamond2977

I can go to wesites that are saved in my favorites. But when I type, it tells me that it could not find the URL, eventhough it is spelt right.

Member Avatar for caperjack

I can go to wesites that are saved in my favorites. But when I type, it tells me that it could not find the URL, eventhough it is spelt right.

first if they are in your favorites why not just click on the link in your favorites ,or it maybe that the page no longer excists .Or,
If you are typing them in on another computer ,why not just copy your favorites folder to a floppy or USB Flash drive and run them on the other computer from the floppy or usb drive .

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