Earthlink & Explorer

[dr_roberts49]

I've been working on a friend's computer that had virus and spyware problems. He dropped the computer off at my home so I could work on it over the weekend. Took care of the virus and spyware. I also noticed that they had never updated their XP Home Edition. Didn't even have SP1. Took care of that with my Microsoft CD.

Anyway, I went to test their internet connection, which is Earthlink. They also use dialup, so I plugged in their modem to my phone line. I hadn't used dialup in 6 years, so I thought it might be fun. The dialup went fine using their Earthlink Access, but even though I was connected, IE could not load any pages. "Server not found". The Earthlink toolbar worked fine, and even AIM connected just fine, but when ever I tried any site, IE failed to load the page. I triple checked all the internet options and to my knowledge everything looked correct.

By updating their XP to SP1, could I have somehow messed up their Earthlink? I'm not familier with Earthlink, but I get the impression that their toolbar depends on IE for accessing the net. My friend is still out of town, and I do have their Earthlink setup disk. I've thought about re-installing Earthlink, but don't have all his account information incase I have to have it. Can any of my TechIMO friends think of anything I might try? Appreciate the input.

Robert

PS

I'm definitely going to get him to try a broadband connection

[thekingofpain]

Hmmm---sounds like a similar problem ive been goin thru with Knotheads computer, it was so clammed up with virus's and spyware it finally ground to a halt---you might wanna try updating their Earthlink software to 2005 if you/they havnt: http://www.earthlink.net/home/software/
You need to install a firewall of some sort to protect it (Tiny firewall?) as after the format and install of Norton AV and AVG I could sit and watch the virus FLOW IN straight from Earthlink on their startpage without any surfing etc in between---6 different virus in 5 mins...
Give the software update a try, cant hurt :-)
Trying to get Knot into a cable connect as well---Earthlink sorta sucks these days---and dont even try talkin to tech support, may as well go out and talk over the back fence to the dog next door...

[dr_roberts49]

I've installed the free version of ZoneAlarm and also installed Spybot and Adaware. I was going to install AVG, that became a problem when I couldn't get IE to work. Can't think of a good work-around to download their free program with IE on the fritz. Thanks for the input. I did remove a large amount of spyware, including a nasty program called ROLF which I had to remove manually. Aside from the IE problem, their computer runs like a champ. It's an HP system with a P4 2.0. I also increased the memory from 128 to 512. That helped a LOT!

Robert

[thekingofpain]

Download Earthlinks 2005 and AVG also Tiny to your computer, burn it to a disk then transfer it---

[pickel]

Delete SP 1and see what happens. Haven't had dail up in years and never did like Earthlink, myself.