All comunications SW died

[knickerbob]

Problem,
 
I am unable to run communications software.

Internet Explorer 5.5 - begins page find, then aborts. Iexplorerer must terminate. Page fault in module unknown

Netscape Navigator 4.7- "can't establish socket connection"

AOL Instant Messenger - hangs like it is waiting for something, but responds to Cancel button
 
I can establish a network connection - WinPoet to Earthlink DSL or dialup. I can ping IP addresses.

What I have done to try to fix it:
 
Repaired IE 5.5
Deinstalled and reinstalled IE 5.5
Removed and reinstalled all TCP/IP drivers
Deinstalled and reinstalled the Communications folder in Windows Setup
Ran System File Checker – no problems identified

Problem occurred after the following:
 
Attempted File/Open <IP address> from IE5.5. I had never used the file/open menu before. IE said that I did not have the proper components installed to perform this action and then hung. I cancelled out and have been unable to get IE, Netscape or AIM to work since.
 
Everything worked fine before I did this.
 
Configuration
 
HP Pavilion 8575C
Windows 98 SE
Pentium 533Mhz processor
128M RAM
HP NIC
Plenty of available hard drive space

HP tech support has given up and has recommended I do a system recovery. Does anyone have any other recommendations? Thanks for the help.

 

[CMASPE]

Remove TCP/IP protocol and your NIC card, reboot and add again. Also try to put IE 6 on there and see what happens. Are you running any other protocols on this machine?

 

[StarTAC]

i think your OS is starting to die on u... u might want to consider moving to a more robust, multi-user and multi-tasking OS such Windows 2000 Pro.. this should solve at least 99.99% of your problems..

good luck...

 

[fluid11]

You didn't install a firewall by any chance, did you? I've seen a similar problem after installing a firewall/router. Try what CMASPE recommended. That should fix it.

ChrisP