networking works, except internet

[alanon]

This is a new one for me. I have a client with a pc at their house, they asked me to take a look because their internet wasn't working.

I think it's a virus issue; several scans have cleaned probably 20 of them. I can ping the outside world just fine, by IP or name, but the internet doesn't work. I have found tons of sites saying it's a problem with winsock, I did all the commands to fix it, it says it is fixed, but still nothing.

Here's the strange part, if I boot into safe mode with networking, the Internet works fine...

I tried disabling everything (In msconfig) at start up and that didn't help. I am thinking that a reformat is the only way. I hate to have to do it but I think I have no choice.

Any suggestions??

[Starscream]

I'd say run the usual spyware cleanup apps first, Combofix, Smitfraudfix, Spybot, Adaware, CWShredder, etc. Then if it still can't surf run LSPFix.

[alanon]

Do you know if that program does the same as this?

http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html

I didn't make it to the clients today...it has been a crazy week.

Thanks

[Runningman]

have cleaned probably 20 of them.Honestly, if i was you, I would reassure my client that a full format is in his best interest. If a machine is this widely compromised chances are that you are never going to get all the little nasties out. Just back up his data and low-level format the drive.

[alanon]

I told him he was better off getting a new system. This system is nearly 5 years old. He is going to order a new one on Monday.

It gets to a point when it's a waste of money to keep an old system running anyways. Even though he is the owner of the IT company I work for, it's a waste of time to have me working that long on something that we can't bill for :) Once I transfer important data, I'll wipe the old one and he can give it to his kids.

Thanks

[rudedog]

Just for kicks did you check the subnet and defualt gateway?

what about his host file? if it is a virus or spyware they could have misconfigured his host file.

[alanon]

Yes, I could ping external even. They could also get email.

IE didn't work, they ahd safari installed so I tried that, same problem.

DNS was also functioning as well, from command line, pings resolved. Host file was same as default one.

[zoomy942]

maybe try uninstalling the network card drivers? or updating them?

hell - a trick i have used is more the network card to a different PCI slot, but if thos card is onboard, that wont work:)

[alanon]

Did that too :)

Unistalled it, rebooted and isntalled new drivers.

It was on on-board card, I was going to bring in a new one from the office, but he finally said forget it and bought a new system.

[zoomy942]

nice.

a 5 year old system needs to be replaced anyway:) and nowadays - PC's are so cheap, they are almost like disposable cameras

[rflair]

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/06/19/reinstall-and-reset-tcpip-internet-protocol-in-windows-vista-2003-and-xp/

or maybe

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/06/18/repair-and-reset-windows-vista-tcpip-winsock-catalog-corruption/

[iflop]

Is there a software firewall thats blocking the internet browsers?