Limited connectivity issue - Windows XP Home

[ZrByte]

I have been fixing a computer for a friend. The problem was that basicly it kept repeatedly dropping and reconnecting the network connection to the set top box. My first thought was that it was a wireless network driver issue, upon arriving I realised they dont have a wireless network
After checking for a little bit longer I came to the conclusion that maybe the cable was broken, I tried a spare and no Joy. It is possible my spare was broken so since there was nothing more I could do there I went on to check for viruses and spyware and found quite possibly the most infected machine I have ever found. 35,500 different spyware/malware and over 50 viruses.
None of the utilities on the machine where capable of getting rid of the infections so I decided to take it home.

I plugged it into my internet connection and it worked straight away, I managed to clean the system of all the viruses and spyware and now the damn internet has stopped working, its sending out packets but not recieving any.
The machine was only running sp1, so I decided this machine needed sp2. I personally dont like sp2 but since it is designed to keep situations like the above from happening I decided it was needed here. Well anyway after installing sp2 Im now getting a warning about the internet connection having limited or no connectivity (little '!' over the network status icon in the taskbar).
My next thought was that maybe the network card is knackered so I tried a spare of my own, the result was the same.

any ideas??

[bmxbandit]

if it was that spyware/virus infested, i'd reformat to be on the safe side...

a reinstall of windows may well cure it.

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by bmxbandit

if it was that spyware/virus infested, i'd reformat to be on the safe side...

a reinstall of windows may well cure it.

I was thinking that but im 100% sure they havent made a backup, and 200% sure they wouldnt know what needed backing up until they missed it.
They have legit utilities such as microsoft works installed and no discs to reinstall it so I really dont think I can go ahead with a format.

[Roy MM]

I had that done a system restore got me connected again.

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Roy MM

I had that done a system restore got me connected again.

Wont doing a system restore now just restore all the spyware etc?

[quadplay]

With SP2 installed, if you are getting that message about having "Limited or No Connectivity", try the following

Start > Run > cmd > OK
Type in netsh winsock reset catalog and press Enter.
You should get the message that the winsock catalog has been successfully reset and you need to reboot.
Close the Command Prompt window and restart the computer via the Start Menu

9 times out of 10, Viola!

[Raistlin]

Has installing SP2 activated the built-in firewall?

If so, is there any way that could be affecting the connectivity to the net?

Are you connected through a router or direct to your cable modem?

Have you tried rebooting cable modems/routers etc?

Is the machine set to obtain an IP address automatically or is there one specified in the network adaptor's properties?

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by jimbo

With SP2 installed, if you are getting that message about having "Limited or No Connectivity", try the following

Start > Run > cmd > OK
Type in netsh winsock reset catalog and press Enter.
You should get the message that the winsock catalog has been successfully reset and you need to reboot.
Close the Command Prompt window and restart the computer via the Start Menu

9 times out of 10, Viola!

I guess this is one of those 9 times, thanks a lot that worked a charm

[ZrByte]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Has installing SP2 activated the built-in firewall?

If so, is there any way that could be affecting the connectivity to the net?

Are you connected through a router or direct to your cable modem?

Have you tried rebooting cable modems/routers etc?

Is the machine set to obtain an IP address automatically or is there one specified in the network adaptor's properties?

Sorry I should have been more clear, it stopped working when I still had sp1, it was when I installed sp2 that I actually got an idea of what was wrong thanks for trying but its sorted now.

[Raistlin]

Cool, glad it's sorted

[quadplay]

Originally Posted by ZrByte

I guess this is one of those 9 times, thanks a lot that worked a charm

No problem! All reps gratefully received.