Weird internet issue...

Scania · 12 Apr 2009 at 14:53

My brother in law has asked me to have a look at his PC due to him being unable to browse the web via Firefox, or, for example use i-Tunes due to those respective programs not "seeing" his internet connection.

Strangely, if he opens Internet Explorer, that works fine and he can browse etc with no problem.

As I say, any other programs that need to access the internet such as Firefox, MSN Messenger etc fail to connect.

I have thus far drawn a blank and would very much appreciate any ideas.

The OS is XP Home SP3.

I'm posting this here as I'm pretty sure its not an internet connection issue as he can connect to the internet!

Theguy · 12 Apr 2009 at 14:56

He hasnt turned on proxy settings or something has he, in the programs? - it could though be more likely to be a firewall issue..

JimAroo · 12 Apr 2009 at 14:57

For the unable to browse with Firefox problem the only reason I can thing of is Firefox's proxy settings.

Know if some connections are behind a proxy you have to set it to "Automatically Detect Proxy settings".

Scania · 12 Apr 2009 at 14:59

JimAroo said:
For the unable to browse with Firefox problem the only reason I can thing of is Firefox's proxy settings.

Know if some connections are behind a proxy you have to set it to "Automatically Detect Proxy settings".

If only it were that simple! - I have tried the "Automatically Detect Proxy settings" bit - it was my first port of call..... No joy.

Also, why would proxy settings within Firefox cause issues with iTunes & MSN Messenger for example?

:confused:

Cheers anyway.

Amnesia · 12 Apr 2009 at 15:01

check to make sure you're not just browsing in offline mode when using ie.

Mr-White · 12 Apr 2009 at 15:14

check the firewall

MW

A[L]C · 12 Apr 2009 at 18:14

Windows XP? Try winsockfix

Ratbag · 12 Apr 2009 at 18:33

Yes, I would assume some kind of internet security app [Norton or KIS?] is behind this, though I guess that would have been your first port of call.....

Scania · 12 Apr 2009 at 21:08

A[L]C;13868673 said:
Windows XP? Try winsockfix

Tried that, no joy.

Ratbag said:
Yes, I would assume some kind of internet security app [Norton or KIS?] is behind this, though I guess that would have been your first port of call.....

Norton was once installed on the PC, but, I can find no trace of it now (its currently running AVG Free & Windows Firewall) - I've even tried disabling the firewall with the same result.

Yet I.E. still works fine! :confused:

i-Tunes etc refuse to find the internet.

Scania · 13 Apr 2009 at 11:48

I found a "Norton removal tool" from the Norton website, ran that and all is well.

BigBoy · 13 Apr 2009 at 20:20

Thats Cuz Norton is the Devil!!
Glad you got it sorted mate I hate it when im stuck for answers trying to fix a mates PC.

Theguy · 13 Apr 2009 at 21:27

glad to hear its been sorted.

Vertigo · 13 Apr 2009 at 23:29

Norton is indeed the biggest heap of garbage I've ever seen. If I ever come across it on a friend's machine I immediately uninstall it. Total junk.