SP2 means no Internet Explorer

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 17:27

I cannot reach any web sites using Internet Explorer since installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 two weeks ago. MSN messenger works fine (as do some other programs that access the internet for updates) but Explorer fails to make a connection every time. If I restore my PC to before the Service Pack 2 installation Internet Explorer works fine. I have tried downloading SP2 and also installing from a CD. The outcome was the same each time. The error message I keep seeing is the usual : "The page cannot be displayed The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings ....blah blah". I even tried installing Mozilla, but got nowhere. Any one else had this ? All help would be gratefully received.

50420 · 17-10-2004, 17:30

do you have any other firewall running nortons for example..
if so... go into the control panel and disable the xp firwall

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 17:32

I have Norton Firewall and had turned off XP's Firewall, but to no avail.

17-10-2004, 17:33

to the site, NTLsufferer!

Paul K · 17-10-2004, 17:35

You could try un-installing SP2, reboot and see if you can connect to the internet. If you run any firewall other than the XP firewall you may want to make sure IE is still allowed out as SP may have updated a few files linked to it that might be triggering the firewall to react as though it has been tampered with. Do you have any other firewall running at all?

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 17:39

I appreciate these ideas - at last some hope of help. NTL were useless when I phone them. However.... If I uninstall SP2 everything workd fine. If I reinstall SP2, turn off XP Firwal and Anti-virus (as I have others running) I can't get the internet. The modem is busily firing and I can get, for example MSN Messenger OKk.

Paul K · 17-10-2004, 17:42

Have you checked the symantec site for an update to the firewall? I seem to recall issues between the two pieces of software when it was released. When did you download SP2?

Ramrod · 17-10-2004, 17:42

Just my 2 cents......perhaps your Norton firewall no longer recognises IE and is blocking it?

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 17:46

I have the Symantec Firewall and Anti-virus software configured for automatic updates; but I hadn't checked the actual vendors web site now. I'll have a look. Thanks for the idea. I installed SP2 two weeks ago (and about 4 times since then including this afternoon) but I'm still struggling here. I have to keep going back to a restore point to reach this Forum (very frustrating !)

Paul K · 17-10-2004, 17:47

Did you make sure that Nortons was NOT running when you installed the SP2 update? It may have caused a problem with the install that stopped some files completing the update??

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 17:49

No, I've had Norton running all the time. I'll turm it (them) off and try yet again. Thanks.

bopdude · 17-10-2004, 18:15

i had the same problem last week, to cut a long story short, after trying everything with TS i've had to format my hdd, ntl ts could see my modem, but nothing was getting out, sp2 or n.i.s or combination of was blocking it, tried allsorts to no avail, sp2, devil spawn, imho.

Good luck

NTLsufferer · 17-10-2004, 18:31

I may have some light at the end of the tunnel !

I have just diconnected the NTL Broadband modem, turned off all Norton software, reinstalled SP2, re-booted, turned off XP Firewall and Anti-Virus, tunred on Norton Firewall and Anti-virus..... and got exactly the same problem, i.e. nothing but error messages from Explorer. BUT when I checked the Firewall settings I saw that Explorer was set to "Permit All" so for the heck of it I set it to "Automatic" and hey presto - I can get on the internet via Explorer. I'm almost too paranoid to re-boot now ! Maybe this is the fix ?

Ramrod · 17-10-2004, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

i had the same problem last week, to cut a long story short, after trying everything with TS i've had to format my hdd, ntl ts could see my modem, but nothing was getting out, sp2 or n.i.s or combination of was blocking it, tried allsorts to no avail, sp2, devil spawn, imho.

Good luck

.......and thats why I'm not installing SP2 yet

Paul K · 17-10-2004, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTLsufferer

I may have some light at the end of the tunnel !

I have just diconnected the NTL Broadband modem, turned off all Norton software, reinstalled SP2, re-booted, turned off XP Firewall and Anti-Virus, tunred on Norton Firewall and Anti-virus..... and got exactly the same problem, i.e. nothing but error messages from Explorer. BUT when I checked the Firewall settings I saw that Explorer was set to "Permit All" so for the heck of it I set it to "Automatic" and hey presto - I can get on the internet via Explorer. I'm almost too paranoid to re-boot now ! Maybe this is the fix ?

It worked for you so well done, looks like the firewall needed to re-learn the permissions for Internet Explorer. Like I said above, SP2 alters some files related to IE so firewalls will often have to ask you if you want it to access the internet just in case something nasty has interfered with it.
At least it's working again