Updating problems on the net

Hey Folks

I really need some help with this one. I promised to help a friend who had problems with his computer. But I cannot figure out this problem of his.
The thing is that I can connect to internet and the start-page with Firefox and browse the net through Firefox. But I cannot update any programs on the net, except in Safe mode.
I have used about any malware and viruskiller programs I know of like Malwarebytes, Combifix, Norton malware cleaner and so on. But no joy. The problem stays put.
Any suggestions, anyone?

-solheimen-

 

What OS and service pack is it and what specific updates are failing and how are they failing?

 

Hey
Thank you for replaying. The OS is Win XP with servicepack 3.
I cannot update any programs I have tried to update in normal mode. Some of the programs that failed are are Java, Malwarebytes, Combofix, windows update and Norton Liveupdate.

-solheimen-

 

How are the attempts at updates failing.

Downloading but not installing?

Hanging when the attempt is made?

Error messages?

Computer freezes?

 

Hey and thank you again for resonding.

- How are the attempts at updates failing.

- Downloading but not installing?
No, it doesn't connect to internet/homepage at all.

- Hanging when the attempt is made?

No, it doesn't hang.

- Error messages?
Error messages differ by the different programs I try to update, informing me the program cannot find the requested homepage.
For instance if I try to execute "windows update" Internet explorer informs me something like "it cannot find the requested page" in norwegian.

- Computer freezes?

No freezing.

-solheimen-

 

Hey
Thank you again for taking my problems seriously. I really appreciate it.
I have gone through all the steps in "Read & run me first". I had done so before I posted my first mail to you. I then found about a total of 50 malwares which was removed. There seem to be no malware left as far as iI can figure out. But the problems of connecting to internet by "MS Internet explorer" persist and updating programs does not work in normal mode.
Since my last mail to you I have downloaded "MS Explorer 8" in safe mode and installed it in normal mode. After installing it started upgrading. It finished upgrading OK. And it now appears that "Automatic update" works OK for Windows . But upgrading manually still does not work (strange).

To sum up:
-I can connect to to internet in "Safe mode with networking" with "MS Internet Explorer" and other programs.

-I cannot connect to internet in "normal mode" with "MS Internet Explorer" or manually upgrade Windows XP. But "automatically upgrade" seems to work fine.

- I can receive mail in "Outlook Express" (Yes he is still using "Outlook Express). But I cannot send any mail.

-I can connect to internet in "Normal Mode" with "Mozilla Firefox" or "Safari".

I would like to apologise for my english if it is too bad. But I am a Norwegian and so english is not my native language.

Regards solheimen

 

Make sure your browser is not set for a proxy connection. In IE got to Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings and make sure none of the boxes are checked.

If that doesn't work, try resetting the Winsock. Go to Start > Run > cmd and hit enter. In the new black windows type "netsh winsock reset" without the quotes and hit enter.

Let us know if either solution works.

 

I had already checked my browser for proxy settings. It was not
I took your advice and reset winsock. But no change. The problems are still there.

Regards solheimen