Member Avatar for hutch22

As of yesterday afternoon my Internet explorer will not function. I can still send and recieve e-mails through Outlook express so it is not my connection, but IE will not open any pages. I spent 2 hours on the phone with Dell support trying many different options including uninstalling and reinstalling with the back up disc. I downloaded spyware search and destroy from another computer and that didn't work. Any suggestions?

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A concise troubleshooting checklist to add context to the replies already posted by , and — the symptom (Outlook Express sending/receiving but IE won’t open pages) usually means the network is OK and the problem is browser-specific (configuration, extensions, or damaged IE components), not a general connection failure.

Quick diagnostics (narrow the fault before heavy changes): try a different browser to confirm IE-only failure; start Internet Explorer without extensions using iexplore -extoff; confirm IE is not set to “Work Offline” (File menu); check Tools → Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings to ensure no unwanted proxy is set; verify any third‑party firewall/antivirus isn’t blocking iexplore.exe. If pages still fail, test by loading a site by IP to rule out DNS.

Commands and resets that often fix IE-related networking corruption (run an elevated Command Prompt, then reboot after the winsock reset):

ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
sfc /scannow

Notes: reboot after the winsock reset; sfc /scannow may prompt for the Windows install CD on older systems.

Further checks and last‑resort options: inspect the hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for redirects; if IE works in Safe Mode but not normal boot, a third‑party add‑on or service is likely — try a clean boot or create a new Windows user profile to test for profile corruption. If none of the above helps, back up important data and consider a System Restore to a point before the problem or a Windows repair/repair-install. Per , any detailed HijackThis or scan logs belong in the Security forum rather than this board.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

Download and run this fully working 30 day trial version Trojan Hunter.

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Download CWShredder from and run the Program in safe mode . Press the "Fix Button" Let it fix all variants. Next, Close the program and all windows and IE windows and run hijackthis and Post a Fresh log.

Reboot to SAFE mode to run CWShredder

How to start computer in safe mode

Then these 2 programs .
Ad-Aware and Spybot

Download the latest version of Ad-Aware at ADAWARE

Setup Ad-Aware .
After installing AAW, and before running the program, update reference files by using the bottom right button in the program, labeled "Check for Updates."

Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start screen.

Click the "Scanning" button.
Under Drives & Folders, select "Scan within Archives".
Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your installed hard drives.

Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
Click the "Advanced" button.
Under "Log-file detail", select all options.
Click the "Tweaks" button.

Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
"Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile" and
"Unload recognized processes during scanning."
Under "Cleaning Engine", select the following:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.
Please make sure that you activate IN-DEPTH scanning before you proceed
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Increase the strength of Ad-Aware by installing the VX2 Cleaner plug-in.
Close Ad-Aware 6.
Download the free VX2 Cleaner
Install the VX2 Cleaner.
Start Ad-Aware and click on "Plug-ins".
Select the VX2 Cleaner plug-in and click "Run Plugin".
If your computer isn’t infected, click "Close".
If your computer is infected:
Select "Clean System".
Reboot your computer.
Scan your computer with Ad-Aware.
Remove any VX2 objects detected.
Reboot your computer again.
Run a second scan to make sure the files have been removed from your computer.
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Download SPYBOT

After installing Spybot S&D, update it by using the "Update" button on the left panel of the program. Search for updates and download anything it finds

How to setup Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot S&D Check my signature for details

And after that, please do the following:

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Get The latest Version of Hijackthis 1.98

Download 'Hijack This!'.
Download link is on the left

Unzip (extract) it to a folder of its own.Like c:\HJT\hijackthis.exe ,

Then Doubleclick HijackThis.exe (in the new folder), and hit "Scan".
When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save

Log" button.
Press that, then Ctrl-A to Select All, and copy its contents here. for

hijackthis,most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential,

don't fix anything yet.

Reboot and post a new log

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Member Avatar for DMR

Get The latest Version of Hijackthis 1.98

Download 'Hijack This!'.
Download link is on the left

Unzip (extract) it to a folder of its own.Like c:\HJT\hijackthis.exe ,

Then Doubleclick HijackThis.exe (in the new folder), and hit "Scan".
When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save

Log" button.
Press that, then Ctrl-A to Select All, and copy its contents here. for

hijackthis,most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential,

don't fix anything yet.

Reboot and post a new log

Yes, but don't post the HijackThis log in this forum- all virus/spyware/adware/etc. - related posts need to go into our Security forum. If you find that "spyware" might be part of your problem, please start a new thread in Security.

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