I’m sorry, I’ll try to be as detailed as possible. This is a friend’s computer I was working on, and I’ve encountered a huge problem. I installed a new hard drive for him and deleted some crap that was slowing his machine down. I followed “standard procedure” running Spybot and Ad-aware, as well as CCleaner. That’s when I realized that he was running an expired version of Norton. I downloaded Avast!, uninstalled Norton, UNPLUGGED THE ETHERNET (does this matter? I thought I was doing the right thing), installed Avast!, restarted, and a virus was found and deleted. Now, his machine will not connect to the internet. Can anyone think of why? This is a very good friend of mine, and his machine is actually used by many members of his family, which makes me feel really bad about this. Here’s all the details I know about his setup; sorry, I couldn’t post from there because of no internet
WinXP SP2
Emachines
Celeron 2ghz
256 ram (I think)
Internet connection straight to cable modem, no router
The internet connection reports that “there was a problem renewing the IP.” I went into ipconfig and released the IP, rebooted, and renewed, but to no avail. Still no internet.
Yes, the IP is set to DHCP. I can’t check out what virus was found until I go over there tomorrow, but I will and I’ll post back. I had him restart the DHCP service and the DNS service, but to no avail (I have him on the phone right now). I found this article (http://ntcompatible.com/thread28877-1.html) and I wonder if that could be the issue… the Norton uninstall. He’s looking for his norton disk to reinstall like that says, and then I’ll have him uninstall it with that thing. I doubt that will work, but it’s a shot.
Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. He installed Norton (what a horrible program, he said his machine barely cranked along after that). It turns out that he has Norton 2004, not 2003 as the article mentioned. I’m burning a Knoppix distro for him until we get his Windows fixed, and that way I can download whatever I need to. I think, worst comes to worst, I’ll just reformat it. The computer could use it anyways.
Norton 2003, Norton 2004 - same thing… huge system hog, and not so good antivirus as it used to be. All we can hear from users these days, are unfortunately just complains, nothing good.
Edit that registry key and I’m sure it will help you bring back his internet connection, and save you a lot of work with reformatting his HD, reinstalling and configuring Windows all over again, installing all those programs etc…
No problem, just please make sure to post back and keep us informed. We want to be sure that you did everything properly, and finaly solved that problem…
I’ll definately post back, probably a little before this time tomorrow, after the festivities are over and I can make it over to his house. Thanks again, and once again, Happy Holidays!
Well, turns out he didn’t have that registry entry. My other friend brought over some CD he made a long time ago, and he ran some program I was thinking about trying but I didn’t think it would work, but sure enough, it worked! I’ll get the name of it the next time I go over there.
I had to remove NAV a long time ago…
Well, I survived untill now… I’m avast since then
Please, browse the Symantec website and download the specific uninstall tool for NAV. It will clean trash left behing by NAV (files, registry keys). You need this to proper working with avast.
Can you try to repair your installation? Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).
If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?
Can you reinstall Windows over your own installation?
You can delete folders/files under either ‘Norton’ or ‘Symantec’ folder, the others under Liveupdate folders and ApplicationData…
On Registry, well good Registry Cleaners could do some work.
But, for me, the only thing I would worry about is the VDD keys. You must have the following entry there:
Well, about connection:
Make sure your browser is not set to “Work Offline” (this option is generally in the File menu). If it doesn’t help, try switching the proxy settings from “Auto-detect” to “No proxy” (I’m assuming you’re not connecting to the Internet via proxy).
Left click the avast icon > Settings
Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy
Some spyware is known to replace winsock.dll I’m wondering if during the cleaning process that this file was detected as having been replaced, and subsequently deleted by whatever cleanup program you were using? Maybe your friend’s CD included a utility that replaced the missing or corrupted winsock? I’m just guessing at possibilities here. Whatever … glad you got it fixed!
Winsock problems?
Try Winsock that is a freeware utility, designed to restore original Windows 98/2000 socket files, winsock.dll and wsock32.dll.
Some very malicious viruses/trojans (such as Matrix, Hybris, Happy 99) replace these files with their own and thus prevent user from using anti-virus software, block email sending and block some webpages. The user of so badly infected PC usually can not do anything, even ask for a help, as email sending is blocked.
You need Winsock restore if:
You can not visit certain website
Can not write emails to certain adresses
Your antivirus software is blocked and won’t start
Outgoing emails with attached viruses are being sent without your intervention.
This program automatically recognizes Windows 98 or Windows 2000 and restores the respective files to original condition.
LSP-Fix
Repairs Winsock 2 settings, caused by buggy or improperly-removed Internet software, that result in loss of Internet access
LSP-Fix is a free utility to repair a specific type of problem associated with certain Internet software. This type of software is known as a Layered Service Provider or LSP, a piece of software that can be inserted into the Windows TCP/IP handler like a link in a chain. However, due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of the software, this chain can get broken, rendering the user unable to access the Internet.
Unfortunately, this type of software is sometimes quietly installed by unrelated software such as file-sharing programs, sneaking onto a system unannounced. In fact, in many cases, the user does not know of its existance until something goes wrong, and he/she can no longer access Web sites. Common offenders include New.net* (NEWDOTNET) and WebHancer*, which are often bundled with file-sharing utilities, DVD player software, and other free downloads. LSP-Fix repairs the Winsock LSP chain by removing the entries left behind when LSP software is removed by hand (or when errors in the software itself break the LSP chain), and removing any gaps in the chain.
LSP-Fix is not a malware removal utility and does not target specific products. LSP-Fix does not delete any files.
All downloads will fit easily on a floppy disk.
If you are using the program on a machine that cannot open .zip files, or are downloading for a friend whom you’re not sure can read .zip files, download the uncompressed files below instead. It will take a bit longer, but this way the program can be used as-is (e.g. from a floppy disk).
