Urgent - Cannot access Internet due to AntiVirus programs clashing

I have Windows HP computer XP Multimedia PC, SP2, 1GB RAM. I have BellSouth / AT&T DSL FastAccess Extreme. I have been using AT&T Internet Security Suite, but frequently get an error message that it cannot load due to other users on the pc (I have 5 family members that use the pc). I attempted to uninstall the AT&T suite & install AVG free antivirus while using the Microsoft firewall temporarily (intend to install Comodo).

I now have been fighting a problem for 2 solid days - when I boot up any user can access the internet for 4-5 minutes, then no more. I can ping web sites from the command prompt, but neither IE or Firefox can access the internet. If I reboot, I get the same results. One thing, I cannot seem to totally uninstall the AT&T Security Suite as it continues to show up in "Services", though I can & have disabled it. Now, I have uninstalled AVG & turned off the MS firewall, but still have the same issue.

I also get errors in Event Viewer stating that Remote Access Connection manager service terminated b/c access denied; Remote Access Connection manager failed to start b/c it could not create buffers.

Help??? This is very urgent & I have multiple family members also extremely unhappy with me for making the change that now keeps everyone from accessing the internet.

 

Never access the internet or even leave your computer hooked up to the modem without a firewall. AT&T is an always on service and you will be attacked if you leave yourself unprotected.

Try using "windows installer cleanup" to remove any traces of at&t. I had been warned about using the at&t software including the browser before, so I new better than to install them. Do you have a 2wire gateway router with ethernet? If so or even if no, google "install sbc modem without the cd" or "AT&T modem without installing the cd" for instructions on setting up the modem withpout installing the screwy software.

Once your pretty sure you have gotten rid of at&t stuff and your modem is correct, do two things.

1. disconnect the power from the modem/router, shut down the pc and wait 30 seconds, restart the PC and wait for everything to finish loading before repowering the modem (and router).

2. If its still not connecting try this:
a. start > run > type cmd
b. at the prompt type ipconfig /flushdns (note there is a space between ipconfig and /) then:
c. at the prompt type ipconfig /renew (same space)
d. type exit and hit enter to exit the command screen

Now try again.

 

Tried all of your suggestions. No change. IE or Firefox works for approx 5 minutes, then stops. I can still successfully ping outside addresses. And, I still cannot start Remote Access Connection, getting the same 2 errors in event viewer.

 

BTW - I cannot find any trace of AT&T on my computer - not in program files, nor "common" directory, nor in the Registry. However, the Windows Security Center still says that the ATT Internet Security Suite ATT_Anti-Virus is turned off.

 

Download the trial version of tuneup utilities and install it. It has several good cleanup programs but what I would like you to look at is the Process Manager under Adminster control. It will not only show what processes are installed but will also show which ones are open. It can be tedious to go thru them one at a time but its something to try. It also seems to show more processes than the task manager.

I don't know what else to tell you, you might have to get an at&t tech out to find the problem.

 

Update - I spent close to 4 hrs today on the phone with AT&T. They ran multiple uninstall utilities, we installed/removed/re-installed the AT&T Internet Security Suite multiple times. They tried hardcoding DNS info to my pc & wireless router. We rolled back to 2 & 3 weeks ago (restoration points). He disabled almost all IE add-ons. We resent all IE settings. We flused DNS, reset IP stuff, etc...

Nothing has fixed the problem, yet. With either IE or Firefox, after a reboot I can access the internet with a Browser for 5-7 minutes, then it stops. Yet, I can continue to ping outside addresses, & the AT&T rep was connected to my pc for long periods of time via a remote control utility with no issues. What can cause a browser to stop accessing the internet after a few minutes?? Everyone seems to be confused...

 

Its almost as if after a few minutes on line, your found by some hackers program that targets your pc and then hits you with a denial of service attack. The trojan or virus that initiated the first attack can be gone but his hole onto your pc might still be there and when you log on its only a matter of time before it finds you. Try visiting a security hole site that scans your computer for open ports and to see if your steathy or not. Let me see if I can find one for you.

I have used this one in the past, the one on the left is the free one, To make sure its scanning the right IP visit cmyip.com first to view your ip then go here:

Code:

http://www.securitymetrics.com/portscan.adp

Usually I end up having to "click here" to get the results, it seems to freeze the page on me. You should see everything closed or stealth. You will probably have to be fast to get it done before you get shut out, although I can view my ip and do the test in less than 2 min..