internet, browser problems

[DarkAngel]

I've been having some trouble when accessing the internet recently (last day and a half) and was hoping someone might have some suggestions or know what might be wrong.

I usually use either internet explorer or netscape, and for about a day and half now, pages aren't coming up properly. Graphics are missing, pages won't come up. Or when they do, and I try to click on a link, I get a page saying "bad request" or "page unavailable".

For example, when I try to do a google search, I get "bad request". When I go the site of our local library and click on catalog, I get "bad request". And so on. And like I said, on a lot these pages the graphics aren't loading properly.

IE has been particularly bad. I can't seem to access anything. Netscape works better, but I'm still having problems.

Now, we've got DSL and have three computers in the house networked wirelessly. I went and checked my brothers computer and the same thing was happening with IE, but I noticed he typically uses the Mozilla Firefox browser, and he seems to be accessing the internet just fine through it.

I just downloaded the Mozilla Firefox browser on my computer, and surprisingly, just about everything seems to be working fine.

So what exactly is the problem? If I can access the internet fine through Mozilla, then it couldn't be an issue with my internet provider, right? For now, I'll just use Mozilla, but I don't want to ignore this. If there's a problem, I'd like to know what it is and what's causing it.

Any thoughts?

[HumanoidTyphoon]

It sounds like spyware attacking IE.

Adaware (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5)

Spybot (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html?tag=lst-0-1)

Download update and then run the above. You're really better off with Firefox though.

[EightOh]

Maybe it's God's way of turning you on to the wonderful browser that is Firefox. ;)

What HT said is all I can really think of.

[Squisheee]

yeP! download adaware or something like it! That helped with my computer problems........

[DarkAngel]

yeP! download adaware or something like it! That helped with my computer problems........ I have adware and have been running it, though. The thing that gets me is that it's happening on my brother's computer as well.

[Squisheee]

hmmmmmmmm................idk then!!!!!!

[HumanoidTyphoon]

I have adware and have been running it, though. The thing that gets me is that it's happening on my brother's computer as well.Have you tried spybot as well they sometimes get different things also try clearing your IE cache(under tools- internet options- delete cookies, delete files) You coud try rebooting everything too if it's happening on 2 computers.

[DarkAngel]

Have you tried spybot as well they sometimes get different things also try clearing your IE cache(under tools- internet options- delete cookies, delete files) You coud try rebooting everything too if it's happening on 2 computers. I've deleted the files under internet options, but not cookies. I'll make sure I do that. I'll probably give spybot a try, too. Couldn't hurt.

One thing it could be: When running Norton Antivirus, I found a file infected with a trojan.domcom, or something like that. But Norton failed to quarantine or delete it, so I'm not certain what to do.

[solarflere]

I've deleted the files under internet options, but not cookies. I'll make sure I do that. I'll probably give spybot a try, too. Couldn't hurt.

One thing it could be: When running Norton Antivirus, I found a file infected with a trojan.domcom, or something like that. But Norton failed to quarantine or delete it, so I'm not certain what to do. There is your problem, someone is hacking your system and through your wireless router all of your systems as well. You need to get rid of the Trojan horse virus soon or the hacker might have a chance to activate the Beta priority. See, a Trojan is usually harmless on its own. It just provides a direct door from your PC to a hacker at any time your pc is online (you have DSL so you are always online, so every time your pc is on). Now, if you outlived the hacker ’s usefulness or he wants to get rid of the evidence that he was ever there, he can activate a second mission for the Trojan horse. We call it a Beta priority. If that happens, say goodbye to all of your systems, it will eradicate them.

Find some way to get rid of it (repair it, delete it, or quarantine it) what ever works. Norton Is usually works miracles against Trojans (you need to go into Norton options and set it manualy, there is an option called Bloodhound, it detects viruses that it doesn't know yet, it can only be activated manualy) but there is a program that is the best of the best. You can get it and use a 30 day trial version to get rid of it. It’s called Hacker Eliminator (former Lockdown 2000, Lockdown Millennium, and Lockdown Pro). It’s truly the best. All it does is Trojans.
http://hacker-eliminator.com/

[DarkAngel]

Find some way to get rid of it (repair it, delete it, or quarantine it) what ever works. All right, I got rid of it. Not sure what did it. Adaware maybe. Now what do I need to do to get IE and Netscape to access the web the way they should?

[solarflere]

All right, I got rid of it. Not sure what did it. Adaware maybe. Now what do I need to do to get IE and Netscape to access the web the way they should? Adaware DOES NOT remove Trojans, don't be fooled, scan your PC with Norton. The trojan could have masqued itself as a diferent file by now, Beta priority maybe. If the Norton Scan finds nothing, you are good to go. Just activate the Bloodhound as I told you before the scan.

[DarkAngel]

Adaware DOES NOT remove Trojans, don't be fooled, scan your PC with Norton. The trojan could have masqued itself as a diferent file by now, Beta priority maybe. If the Norton Scan finds nothing, you are good to go. Just activate the Bloodhound as I told you before the scan. Norton scan didn't find anything.

[Hatter]

I've got an internet problem, as well...

I think this has happened to me a couple of times in the past, but I can't remember how I solved it then...

The other day, I bought an iPod and it took me hours and hours to get it working. To do so, I had to go into "msconfig" and change a lot of the startup settings, mostly which programs started. I was following the help instructions that Apple gave on their site.
Anyways, the iPod worked, but in the process I had to also fiddle with my internet connection a bit, taking the card out, using a different one, putting the original back in, etc.

To make a long story short, now, I can connect to websites perfectly fine, but I have no access to me email, either Hotmail or in Outlook Express. It just automatically gives a "page cannot be displayed" after I enter my login info.
Also, I can't connect with any IM programs. I'm assuming online games won't work as well.

I'm really stumped here. I've tried restoring the settings I changed in msconfig, but I don't really know what a lot of those programs do, and I'm not sure which ones I used to have running.

I don't think a system restore will work because I tried a few days ago for an unrelated problem, and my attempts kept failing, for several different points. Besides, I'm afraid if I restore to a previous date, my iPod might stop working.

I've made sure that all the SLL boxes are checked in IE... (it's not just an IE problem, though)
I tried to look at my Windows Firewall, but when I tried it, I got a message something to the effect of "Windows Firewall is off. Want to turn it on?" I click Yes, and another message immediately says "Windows Firewall could not be started". Lol...

This is really starting to frustrate me. Does anyone have any helpful tips, please?

[solarflere]

I've got an internet problem, as well...

I think this has happened to me a couple of times in the past, but I can't remember how I solved it then...

The other day, I bought an iPod and it took me hours and hours to get it working. To do so, I had to go into "msconfig" and change a lot of the startup settings, mostly which programs started. I was following the help instructions that Apple gave on their site.
Anyways, the iPod worked, but in the process I had to also fiddle with my internet connection a bit, taking the card out, using a different one, putting the original back in, etc.

To make a long story short, now, I can connect to websites perfectly fine, but I have no access to me email, either Hotmail or in Outlook Express. It just automatically gives a "page cannot be displayed" after I enter my login info.
Also, I can't connect with any IM programs. I'm assuming online games won't work as well.

I'm really stumped here. I've tried restoring the settings I changed in msconfig, but I don't really know what a lot of those programs do, and I'm not sure which ones I used to have running.

I don't think a system restore will work because I tried a few days ago for an unrelated problem, and my attempts kept failing, for several different points. Besides, I'm afraid if I restore to a previous date, my iPod might stop working.

I've made sure that all the SLL boxes are checked in IE... (it's not just an IE problem, though)
I tried to look at my Windows Firewall, but when I tried it, I got a message something to the effect of "Windows Firewall is off. Want to turn it on?" I click Yes, and another message immediately says "Windows Firewall could not be started". Lol...

This is really starting to frustrate me. Does anyone have any helpful tips, please? A: msconfig or the registry is a no mans land unless you are an IT or a Tech (me). If you don't know what you are doing, you can screw up ur pc into FBR (F***ed Beyound Recodnition).
B: Try using Firefox browser. Unlike IE which stores temp files and cookies as data files, Firefox uses RAM to store it, so nothing can get modified or broken.
C: see if your firewall blocked those websites from access. It can do that.
Hope this helps

[DarkAngel]

B: Try using Firefox browser. Unlike IE which stores temp files and cookies as data files, Firefox uses RAM to store it, so nothing can get modified or broken. So is this basically the reason IE and Netscape weren't working properly for me? And is there anything I can do to fix them? I tried un-installing netscape and re-installing it, but that didn't seem to have any effect. And I tried downloading IE again, but it wouldn't go through with setup since it detected a higher version of the browser on my computer (and I'm not sure how to un-install it). Am I just stuck with these "modified or broken" browsers?

[solarflere]

So is this basically the reason IE and Netscape weren't working properly for me? And is there anything I can do to fix them? I tried un-installing netscape and re-installing it, but that didn't seem to have any effect. And I tried downloading IE again, but it wouldn't go through with setup since it detected a higher version of the browser on my computer (and I'm not sure how to un-install it). Am I just stuck with these "modified or broken" browsers?My ultimate sugestion, after having a trojan in your system, REformaring your system. Its half broken anyway. As for IE you cant uninstall it. Well technicaly you can, but you will uninstall windows files along with it. As for Netscape The browser is so heavy its very slow on its own. Just use Firefox, its the most secure and light browser out there. Before reformating, try to reboot your system with F8 and use the last good known configuration.

[Hatter]

A: msconfig or the registry is a no mans land unless you are an IT or a Tech (me). If you don't know what you are doing, you can screw up ur pc into FBR (F***ed Beyound Recodnition).
B: Try using Firefox browser. Unlike IE which stores temp files and cookies as data files, Firefox uses RAM to store it, so nothing can get modified or broken.
C: see if your firewall blocked those websites from access. It can do that.
Hope this helps
I cant access any websites in Firefox or Netscape. It just says that the connection was refused.
And I can't even access my firewall settings, like I said.

[solarflere]

you did something in msconfig. I am sure of that. But I have to see it in order to fix it. Its imposible to tell from here what was changed. Like I said msconfig is a no mans land. The only option I can recomend is reformating and starting anew. Sorry
Edit: wait you said youi can't access any websites now, not just email like you said before?

[Hatter]

I can only access websites in Internet Explorer. Firefox and Netscape won't connect to anything.

[solarflere]

Man, with out actually looking at your PC, there is no way to tell from my standpoint what is going on there. Let me refer you to a place crawling with PC Techs like me who can try to help you. A collective of them can be more help than a single person. Its a forum. Just post all of the info you have on the problem, don’t leave anything out, even if you think it’s not relevant.
http://sharkyforums.com/ I go there to help other people and ask questions of my own. Sharky forum is a place where we help out users who have any kind of a pc problem. Be it hardware, software or even if you have no idea what the problem is.
Post it in the Technical Support Q/A (http://sharkyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=8). It should get you started. There are a lot of people who to technical support, and the mods and administrators are really good there. This is your best bet.

[DarkAngel]

My ultimate sugestion, after having a trojan in your system, REformaring your system. Its half broken anyway. As for IE you cant uninstall it. Well technicaly you can, but you will uninstall windows files along with it. As for Netscape The browser is so heavy its very slow on its own. Just use Firefox, its the most secure and light browser out there. Before reformating, try to reboot your system with F8 and use the last good known configuration. IE and Netscape are working just fine now. I guess getting rid of the trojan was the key thing. Everything seems to be fine now.

solarflere, I greatly appreciate your taking the time to comment on my situation. Thanks, too, to everyone else who responded.

The good thing about all this, as some said above, is that it turned me on to the Firefox browser, which I'm quite impressed with. I'll probably stick with it.

[solarflere]

IE and Netscape are working just fine now. I guess getting rid of the trojan was the key thing. Everything seems to be fine now.

solarflere, I greatly appreciate your taking the time to comment on my situation. Thanks, too, to everyone else who responded.

The good thing about all this, as some said above, is that it turned me on to the Firefox browser, which I'm quite impressed with. I'll probably stick with it. No problem, its what I do. PC technology is my hobby. Custom build systems are my passion, and newegg.com is the best site for do-it-yourselfers ever. :D