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General discussion

Email works, connection good, browsers don't work (mostly)

Jun 4, 2010 3:30AM PDT

Totally befuddled here and hoping someone has an idea what's going on. There was a previous thread on a similar issue from 2 years ago, but it unfortunately seems to only "almost" apply.

I can send and receive email (windows mail) and access the computer through another computer using an internet connection (log me in). Yet when I open a browser (Firefox, Explorer or Chrome), it won't connect to any website. Yet Vista insists the connection is fine (which sort of makes sense since there is no problem sending and receiving email). Also, any program such as quick books that uses the internet can't connect.

What makes things truly strange to me is that the browser and internet work just fine if I open the browser through the help and support pages where (Help & Support > What's New > Click to open Internet Explorer).

Any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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2 ideas.
Jun 4, 2010 4:29AM PDT
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darn
Jun 9, 2010 7:11AM PDT

Thanks so much for the ideas. tried both - no luck. This really is puzzling.

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To go any deeper
Jun 9, 2010 9:51PM PDT

You'll have to master TCPIP. That is I can configure a machine to do what you note. I would have a broken DNS and then enter in the IP addresses of the email servers.

There is no step by step since the steps change.

Also, an expired antivirus is known to do this.
Bob

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What do you mean....
Jun 12, 2010 8:18PM PDT

...."it won't connect to any websites" ? Waht error message(s) if any ? Or is the browser showing a blank page ? Look at the Tab... does the browser show that the ststus is "connecting" ?

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Server not found
Jun 29, 2010 6:49PM PDT

That's the error... just as if I had no connection.
Thanks for the questions and the help. Eventually, I just gave up, backed it up and reformatted. Now it works fine. Not the best fix, but at least it worked. Thanks again!

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You are welcome....
Jun 30, 2010 12:25AM PDT

...but now, you won't know what to to if it happens again.

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If it
Jul 1, 2010 12:00AM PDT

happens again, I would try system restore before I reformat. (Maybe you did?)

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Nope....
Jul 1, 2010 11:16AM PDT

I learnt about TCP/IP, and DNS... [as Bob suggested to you.]
System Restore may help,but the problem may not always be "system'. and reformating is the last thing I resort to.

Reformating can be an irksome process...and best handled with a planed work flow...backup...search for drivers... getting ready program disks...saved downloaded programs...and perhaps a chat with MS...updates....reloading the backups... test runs... etc.

Well, if you do not have much on your HD, then reformating is, of course, one[good] way to 'recover'...