For a couple years I have had to roll back certain Windows security updates,, because they would prevent my browser from connecting to any websites. At first I thought it was a networking issue, but I was able to ping Google with cmd and able to access Windows updates, so clearly the connection itself is fine. So, as I said, for years I have rolled back any updates that caused this problem, which were usually about 1 per month. A few months ago I tried to install and us FireFox, but it could not connect to the browsers, even though ie could. I read somewhere that ie9 could possibly fix any issues. I was using ie7, and in order to download ie9 I had to download a lot of the updates I had restticted in the past to maintain connection to browsers. So I did and now nothing works aside from pinging and windows updates. I shouldn't have to restrict OS updates to use my laptop.

I posted this on the Windows forums when this first happened a few months ago and they were less than helpful, often ignoring the fact that I am connected to the internet, just unable to connect to browsers or update my AntiVirus or any other programs. I have checked the firewall and there are exceptions for the browsers, and I have even disabled it temporarily with no success. I used the diagnosis tool in ie9, but it says there is no problem.

I am at a loss, and wondering if it might be easier to reformat. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Which anti-virus are you using? Some have a firewall.

Originally Posted by wither 3

Which anti-virus are you using? Some have a firewall.

Symantec is my main, but i also downloaded the free version of Advanced SystemCare 5 to essentially get a second opinion once this issue arose a few months ago to see if there was an undetected registry error or something else deeper.

While waiting for a response, i browsed other topics and found a similar issue from someone else ( wireless network OK, but no internet on Vista laptop). I think my issue might be an even bigger headache given how far back this goes. So a system restore might be the easiest solution. I will wait for the advice of a guru, but in the meantime i'll start saving documents and pictures on a flash drive.

Okay, i did Step One and Step Two with no luck. Did you want me to repair my install, or should i ignore that last step?


Also, since i don't have the ability to connect to anything but Windows updates, i can't upgrade my anti-virus or network drivers, unless i grab a file from the local library using their internet and loading it on a flash drive.




EDIT: BTW, now my ie doesn't finish loading to tell me it wasn't able to connect. Instead, it's constantly spinning and "ieframe.dll" appears in the tab title.

I ran the scan, did not find any integrity violations.

Originally Posted by richc46

Even though you said that you tried already, the problem seems to be with IE. Dont know where to go, if you cant even load it.

It was launching, it just wasn't ending it's attempt to connect to the page. I updated the homepage from whatever hp redirect page to Google, and it is now complete it's attempt, albeit unsuccessful, but it is ending the try. The homepage change occured after i reset ie.

Here is why i don't think the problem is ie. When ie7 worked months before, after rolling back certain windows updates, firefox was not able to connect to any pages even thoug ie could. When i installed windows updates and ie7 stopped connecting, i installed ie9 fresh and it didn't connect to the internet from the beginning.