Internet connection lost after running System Restore

If so, which version?

There was a situation, some months back, where a Windows Update caused ZoneAlarm to halt any internet connection. ZoneAlarm issued a patch to repair that.

Here's ZoneLabs quick fix for the situation if it is ZoneAlarm that is now blocking access;
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

Try Option 1 first, and if that doesn't work, then Option 2.

If you do not use ZoneAlarm, or if the Windows Update you installed was not KB951748, then I am not sure, and perhaps others will have better ideas.

Mark

Find or buy an external disk or USB-stick and copy at least 4 Gb of data (or folders from Program Files that you don't need for a while) to it. Burn it to DVD also, if possible, for added security.

Then delete the copied files from your hard disk. This would give at least 4 Gb free space. That should be enough to redo System Restore. Cross your fingers and hope it works this time.

Then start a large cleaning operation like
- programs you don't need
- temp files (using ccleaner - free download - or disk cleanup wizard)
- data you don't need any more
- system restore area (from disk cleanup wizard)
and when you cleaned a few Gb copy back the data from the external hard disk or USB-stick.

Hope this helps.


Kees

Hi Kees, Mark,
Free space on the C:drive is not the issue because, since the second System Restore, there is 2.4 KB free on the C:drive.
The problem really seems to be that some system files have been damaged because:
1) I cannot Connect to the internet (the BIG problem), and
2) I cannot use the Add/Remove function to remove files from the C:drive (messages: Cannot connect to server..." and "Server not found...").
I heard that there is a repair function in the Windows CD-ROM? but am unsure how how to apply it?
Could you advise?

1. Download and follow the instructions for "IEFix" - a general purpose fix for Internet Explorer (Win 98/ME/2000/XP) which:

a. Registers Urlmon.dll, Mshtml.dll, Actxprxy.dll, Oleaut32.dll, Shell32.dll, Shdocvw.dll, [Q281679].

b. Refreshes Internet Explorer using IE.INF method -- two additional notes FYI:

? "Unable to Install Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP (Q304872)"

? "How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP (Q31837"

c. Initiates "SFC /Scannow" (Win2K&XP), [Q310747].

Caveat: Using IEFix myself, the utility does not suggest or require a reboot but I do suggest that you do. In addition, if an extra icon for IE is located on the Desktop afterwards you may delete it.

Note: Else, some of the core Internet Explorer "?.dll files" may not be correctly registered or need registering. First, verify the exact path of where the Iexplore.exe file is found and used as noted for this example. Second, click Start, Run, type exactly "(Hard Drive Letter):\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" /rereg and then either click OK or press Enter.

2. Reinstalling otherwise:

a. First, be familiar with "Information About Internet Explorer Setup (Q256340)". Second, click Start, Search, All Files and Folders, More Advanced Options, enter a check in Search Hidden Files and Folders, Search System Folders, and Search Subfolders. Type ie.inf in All or Part of the File Name box, select C: in the Look In drop-down menu or the letter of the hard drive containing the Windows folder, and then click the Search button. Find the file labeled ie.inf in the result pane. Right-click this file and then from the context menu, select Install.

b. The article [Q304872] states that when you try to install IE6, you may receive an error message that can occur if it has already been installed and the installation package does not contain any new customizations -- a customized versions of Internet Explorer 6 that was created by an Internet service provider, Internet content provider, or a corporate administrator that is installed instead of the default browser.

c. "How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP (Q31837."

3. Fixing connectivity/WinSock problems:

a. WinSock XP Fix offers a last resort if your Internet connectivity has been corrupted due to invalid or removed registry entries. It can often cure the problem of lost connections after the removal of Adware components or improper uninstall of firewall applications or other tools that modify the XP network and Winsock settings. If you encounter connection problems after removing network related software, Adware or after registry clean-up; and all other ways fail, then "download" and give WinSock XP Fix a try, a 1,412kb file. It can create a registry backup of your current settings, so it is fairly safe to use.

b. "LSP-Fix" is a free utility that may be downloaded to repair certain problems associated with Internet software when you can no longer access Web sites due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of software. LSP-Fix repairs the Winsock LSP chain by removing the entries left behind when LSP software is removed by hand (or when errors in the software itself break the LSP chain), and removing any gaps in the chain.