Can't connect to internet...need help

I am having a major problem. I have a Compaq 6000 series computer with Windows XP. For no reason that I can find, I cannot connect to the internet. The little icon shows connected in my tray, but when I double-click it, it shows that it is not receiving data and that the ISP address starts with 169. Someone explained that Windows designates that ISP address as a default if you lose your connection.

I have a cable connection so I called their tech support...they said it was likely a failing network card, so I bought one, installed it, enabled it, and still couldn't connect. I then drove to the cable co. & exchanged the external cable modem for a new one to see if that was it, but that didn't work either. They are able to ping the modem from their office so they are saying that the connection is getting to my computer, but my computer isn't recognizing it.

Their only other guess is that maybe Norton put up a firewall in one of their live updates, but I don't think so. They said to uninstall Norton and see if that helped. I haven't tried this yet though, as Norton came on the computer and I don't have the program to reinstall it, so hesitate to take it off. Somehow I don't think that Norton is the cause. (Also I do not have a firewall thru Windows XP, altho I have had in the past and that didn't affect my internet connection). They sounded like they were grasping at straws when they suggested uninstalling Norton. They also suggested spyware might have caused it, but I had run Adaware about a week before and quarantined everything and it worked find. I ran Adaware again and quaranted a few more items, but that didn't help either.

One guy suggested that maybe Windows is corrupted and I need to reinstall it. I will gladly do this as a last resort, but don't relish the thought. So I thought I would check in with Major Geeks and see if anyone can give me any ideas as to what could have happened and how I can remedy the situation. Thanks in advance....Pat

 

if you can download this
www.acrodata.com/WinsockXPFix.zip (by option explicit software who seems to no longer exist so I have to give credit where it is due)

unzip it to the problem machine and run it, it should fix your problem. I HIGHLY suggest you run an up to date antivirus on the machine BEFORE you do this or the problem could come back. You should also run ad-aware and spy-bot as well, when you're done.

 

i know you say you are hesitant about uninstalling Norton. but ask any of the resident geekshere how they feel about norton, and then see if you want to keep it. plus, you can install any number of products that function much better than norton's, and they are free.

not saying norton is the problem, but i am saying, imo, norton sucks badly.

 

Thanks to all for the input. Once again, you have helped me fix the problem myself and saved me the time and money of having someone else fix it for me.

The winsock.zip program fixed it. TY TY TY!!!!! I will follow up with ad-aware and spy-bot search. I forgot to say in my orig. post that I had already run Norton and didn't have a virus. I would like to know which program can replace Norton and do a better job and it's free??? Do tell.....I'd love to know. Thanks again!!! Pat

 

do a search for AVAST on the front page.. www.majorgeeks.com