Windows XP SP2 Unable to Browse but Able to Ping on Wireless network

[Dnetworker]

Hello,

I have a Windows XP Media Center Edition PC that has recently stopped browsing the internet.

I have connected to multiple networks and have the same problem. I can ping websites and also get NSLOOKUP entries for websites, but I cannot browse using Firefox, IE, or Opera. The signal is excellent and I am receiving an IP address with the correct Gateway, Subnet mask, and DNS Server.

I also installed an additional DNS server in the TCP/IP properties area from OpenDNS.

I have disabled all Anti-virus software, to no result.
I disabled the Windows firewall also to no result.

Other computers on the network can connect to the internet just fine.

I have run a Malware scan with no infected items.

I am open to any and all suggestions.

 

[goombawaho]

Check for any proxy servers listed but I doubt that's it.

download and run Winsock XP Fix and then reboot.

 

[vacunita]

What happens when you try to open a website?

Since you mention you can ping the websites, can you take the resolved IP address from the ping and use it in a browser? Will that open up the website?

Does the behavior occur in Safe Mode with Networking?

Try one of the free Live Linux CD distros, and see if it happen there as well?

Have you tried a different wireless network card?



----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[Dnetworker]

@Goombawaho: There is no Proxy server setting preventing me.

@Vacunita: It will either say 'xxxx site is taking too long to respond' or 'The server for xxxx was not found'

The resolved IP address does the same thing in a broswer.

The behavior does occur in Safe Mode with Networking.

I'll have to dig out one of them and try it.

No, but I will borrow one from a friend and try that today.

Thank you,

Derek

 

[vacunita]

Since it happens in safe mode with networking, it very well may be a hardware issue.

Checking with different network card can confirm or rule it out completely.

Also taking Windows out of the equation can shed more light.

I would follow goomba's advice and try the winsock fix as that is the easiest to do.




----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[goombawaho]

Try my suggestion (Winsock fix) and then move on to hardware swap as suggested.

 

[linney]

Is Windows managing your Wireless connections or do you have third party software doing it?

To re-install the wireless zero configuration service under XP, see:

Install Wireless Zero Configuration Service

http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2004/05/22/multiple_wireless_networks_in_windows_xp/

This also gets a mention in that article...

"If you are connecting to multiple wireless networks, your preferred network might not be at the top of the list. The order in which Windows XP attempts to connect with the preferred networks can easily be modified. Under Preferred networks, select the wireless network that you want to move to a new position on the list and then click the Move up or Move down button respectively."


Got Network issues and nForce Chipset...

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1437402

 

[BadBigBen]

my thoughts are along the line of Goom's, in that the WinSocks may have become scrambled...

under XP, starting with SP2, it has a built in Winsock reset command, which should be preferred over using Winsock Fix...

in a CLI window, type netsh winsock reset catalog then reboot...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

Can you define the differences in the two methods??

 

[BadBigBen]

The VB Winsockfix Utility will:
1.) Detect your current Operating System
2.) Release the IP address, taking you "Offline"
3.) Reset the TCP stack using Netsh.exe (Windows XP only)
4.) Delete the current Registry TCP and Winsock Values
5.) Import new "Working" Registry Values
6.) Backup any Current "Hosts" file
7.) Replace the "Hosts" file with a default one
8.) Reboot the Computer

Source: WinsockFix.exe

the Netsh Command above:

Note that resetting the Winsock using netsh winsock reset catalog command in SP2 removes all the third-party LSPs and restores Winsock to factory default setting.

source: Ramesh's Site

hope that answers your question... to me, having my HOSTS file replaced (mine has about 2000+ entries) just wont do...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

For most people - that would be a GREAT thing to do with malware because the average joe doesn't mess with their hosts file - only geek-types do that.