Expert: Brian Benosky - 8/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brian, my computer was updated with security updates for windows xp this morning. Now I cant seem to connect to the Internet directly.   I have to go through a link in an e-mail I have to get to google. Not sure what to do next?

ANSWER: Hi Elizabeth

I don't think it's a virus.  Sounds more like a problem with Windows firewall.  Try disabling it from the Control Panel and see what happens.  By any chance, do you have the the name of the security update that was done?  That would help in finding the problem.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brian, the firewall is disabled, I don't use the windows firewall.  There was 8 updates, no titles only numbers, KB980436, KB981852,KB981997,KB982214,KB982665,KB2160329,KB2115168,KB2079403

ANSWER: Hi Elizabeth

I have been checking the forums to see if anyone else has been having the same problem that you are, and have not run across anything.  So I think the safest route to go is to uninstall each of the updates to see which one is conflicting with your system.  Go into your Add/Remove Programs, and remove the latest updates in reverse order in which they were installed.  For instance, if KB2079403 was the last update installed, you should remove this one first.  There is a script to run if you are unable to determine for yourself the order which they were installed:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
  2. At the command prompt, copy and paste the following command:
     dir %windir%\*.log /o:d | findstr /i /r /c:q......\.log /c:kb......\.log /c:q......uninst\.log /c:kb......uninst\.log > %systemdrive%\TimeLine.log
  3. Press ENTER
When you open the TimeLine.log file (C:\TimeLine.log), the software updates that are installed are listed in order by date. The most recently installed software update is listed at the end.
After each uninstall, check for internet access.  When you hit upon the trouble update, let me know which one.

Brian


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brian, I uninstalled the updates as your suggestion.  I had to uninstall them all but still couldnt access the internet directly or even through a link in an email as I as doing now, so I had to reinstall the updates.  The updates are for Internet Explorer. Now what?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth

I went away for the weekend, so I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Let's try fixing the winsock to see if that corrects things.  Here is the direct download link for Winsock XP Fix:

http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4372&file=15&evp=4578a0d2691013178f302c

Just download, run, and click the Fix button.  Let me know if that clears it up.

Brian