Why removal kills internet connections is the usual hijacks when removed do not and rarely repair the OS. You can try two common fixes. Google these.
1. NETSH RESET XP
2. SFC SCANNOW
These are the words for google so you can find the article you like. And you'll need your XP CD for step 2 in most machines.
Bob
Hello,
A computer at work got 4 worms (found and removed by MS Security Essentials). Today, I couldn't get on the internet. The icon is gone from the icon tray, all the network connections are gone from My Networks, when I try to set up a new connection, only the wizard will start up, but all the options are "grey-ed out" and I can't select them. I installed/ran Malwarebytes in safemode (it found minor trackers). I can't do a system restore (error message pops up). IPCONFIG shows everything as 0.0.0.0
I was hoping to get some ideas to try and rectify the situation before I have to do a re-install of XP
Thanks for your help!
Chowhound
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