Internet connected but cant reach websites

[Lerot]

Hi, hoping for some help with Internet problem.
This is an old Acer 5535 laptop with Vista home premium. Its reasonably powerful still with 4GB memory so thought I'd get it out and use it as a web client.
It used to work fine on our home broadband but it was getting really slow and as there's no data on it I thought I'd reload original software from backup partition.
All appeared to work fine and now its back to its old speed, even the wireless network appeared connected OK - but when I tried to use it I can get to google (with page errors) but most other sites give me error messages, even when I can connect the page isn't loaded correctly.
So I tried using EThernet cable - same thing, no internet but network diagnostics say its OK.
Checked device manager and there are no errors.
All updates are loaded where I can - but as I cant connect to Microsoft Im running out of ideas.
At the same time I was messing about with an old HP Pavillion running Vista - and exactly the same symptoms have occurred.
My thoughts are - it cant be a network adapter as it fails with wireless and with EThernet, (but I reloaded wireless drivers anyway).
I've got a sneaking suspicion there was a line in device driver for networking that doesn't appear there now -
anyone any ideas?
I was thinking of moving to W7 on it but I cant run the hardware checker.......

 

[Vistaar]

... I thought I'd reload original software from backup partition...even the wireless network appeared connected OK - but when I tried to use it I can get to google (with page errors) but most other sites give me error messages, even when I can connect the page isn't loaded correctly...

Welcome to Vista Forums Lerot. After a factory restore, Vista users face a browser crisis because Internet Explorer 7 has been a worthless piece of junk for many years. (IE 9 isn't much better, and requires SP2.) If it is possible to reach the Firefox download site in 2020, it should detect your OS and offer you the correct legacy version for Vista. Otherwise, use another computer to download Firefox ESR 52.9.0 and transfer the installer to the restored Vista system using removable media. It sounds like your internet connection is working.

Your factory image must be a dozen or more years old, so corruption is quite possible. I suggest that you run sfc /scannow from an elevated command prompt ASAP. If there is an old free trial of Norton or McAfee, it will need to be completely removed. Ancient versions of Flash Player and Java should also be uninstalled.

Unless you are familiar with procedures for updating Vista, you may need to start a thread in the Windows Updates section of the forum soon.

Good luck!

 

[Lerot]

Thanks Vistaar,
yes I was trying to get Firefox when I realised that the reload had screwed me.

Uninstalled all old s/w that doesnt look important as well as Java and FLashplayer.
Mozilla dont support VIsta any longer and I couldnt find an archived download, but have now located ESR 52.9.0 - just tried and it says this version requires Windows 7 or newer.

 

[Lerot]

tried downloading some earlier release versions of Firefox - 49.0.1 - and they all say that they need windows 7......

 

[Vistaar]

Thanks Vistaar,
...have now located ESR 52.9.0 - just tried and it says this version requires Windows 7 or newer.

Only 32-bit builds of Firefox 52.9.0 and earlier supported Vista. Sorry: I should have considered the possibility that you were running Vista x64 and would naturally try to download a 64-bit build. Am I correct in guessing that's what the problem was?

 

[lmacri]

Hi Lerot:

Try the official Mozilla FTP site at Directory Listing: /pub/firefox/releases/52.9.0esr/win32/ for the full offline installer for all supported languages. If you want the English-US version, for example, click the en-US directory and it should offer the correct 32-bit legacy installer for Win XP and Vista (Firefox Setup 52.9.0esr.exe).
----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0 * Norton Security Deluxe v22.15.2.22 * Malwarebytes Free v3.5.1-1.0.365
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

 

[Lerot]

Many thanks for all the replies Vitaar and Imacri, I guess its the only way to travel the world now we have Coronavirus
Its now sorted by installing Windows 7.
My interpretation of the problem was like a catch22 - I reset to original old software which couldnt access the modern internet so I couldn't update to latest S/W.
I know windows 7 is also old but this is an old but quite powerful laptop and it was a shame to see it sitting under a desk - but not worth spending ££££s on it. My legal copy of 7 only cost £4 as a downloaded ISO file with product key, so was worth doing and now works - have installed latest Firefox.

 

[Vistaar]

Its now sorted by installing Windows 7....I know windows 7 is also old....My legal copy of 7 only cost £4 as a downloaded ISO file with product key, so was worth doing and now works - have installed latest Firefox.

That was a wise decision Lerot! True, Windows 7 is also old; but it is still supported by browsers (even Microsoft Edge), antivirus programs and other software, whereas Vista and XP can generally only run legacy versions now. Good luck!

 

[townsbg]

Many thanks for all the replies Vitaar and Imacri, I guess its the only way to travel the world now we have Coronavirus
Its now sorted by installing Windows 7.
My interpretation of the problem was like a catch22 - I reset to original old software which couldnt access the modern internet so I couldn't update to latest S/W.
I know windows 7 is also old but this is an old but quite powerful laptop and it was a shame to see it sitting under a desk - but not worth spending ££££s on it. My legal copy of 7 only cost £4 as a downloaded ISO file with product key, so was worth doing and now works - have installed latest Firefox.

Personally I prefer Vista over 7 but support for Vista was dropped so fast by third party vendors that it is practically useless. I only run it as a virtual machine for playing an old game. 7 has such a wide user base that I think that it'll be a few years yet before third party support wanes. As stated IE 7 is useless. I doubt that it'll work very well (if at all) on popular websites. Even Microsoft has blocked it; explaining your issue on their site. If you ever need help with 7 I suggest that you go to our forum. There are still a lot of active users there. Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[wither 3]

I don't think Vista is "practically useless." I use it as my primary system and I can do everything I want to do and go anywhere on the internet. I have IE 9 but don't use it as my primary browser because, as mentioned, there are some sites where things won't function properly..

 

[townsbg]

I wasn't just referring to the internet but third party apps in general. There aren't many left with current versions available for Vista.

 

[wither 3]

I understand.

 

[ilikefree]

I also use it as my main system and can do everything I need to do with it.
I must say it spends a lot of time plugged into the big screen tv playing videos,
I have media player classic home cinema as the main player .
My children love it.
For any serious work I use Linux Mint, but I don't need to get serious often

 

[Vistaar]

Its now sorted by installing Windows 7....I know windows 7 is also old....

Unfortunately, one thing that Windows 7 without ESU and Vista have in common is a growing list of unpatched vulnerabilities that Microsoft regularly draws attention to, e.g. here's a recent one that lonely Vista gurus might want to look into: ADV200006 | Type 1 Font Parsing Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Of course it's generally not possible to run Windows 10 or even 8.1 on Vista-era hardware, so a new PC is the best solution for all of you. Running Windows 7, you at least don't have to worry about unpatched vulnerabilities in your browsers or finding legacy versions of security software. Advocating the continued use of Vista or XP in 2020 conveys a nonchalance regarding online security that forum gurus should not condone.

 

[wither 3]

Did I miss it? I looked at that link and don't see any mention of Vista. Could be an oversight. Server 2008 is mentioned and if one patched Vista with the Server 2008 updates, then Vista is clearly at risk.

Sounds like they're going to provide an update for Win 7. I''ll be looking for it.

 

[Vistaar]

I'm afraid that Microsoft rarely wastes their breath on the likes of Vista or XP anymore, so users need to be self-reliant. Vista does have file atmfd.dll, and there is no known reason to assume that a March 2017 version was invulnerable. Regarding updates, you must have missed this part:

Do I need an ESU license to receive the update for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for this vulnerability?

Yes, to receive the security update for this vulnerability for Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2 you must have an ESU license. See 4522133 for more information.

 

[wither 3]

Thanks. I read that but it didn't sink in.