Can't access internet

Hi,

Running WinXP, Avast v.4. I have had Avast for about 4 months. Based on what I’ve searched in the forums, my problem is the opposite of what others have had happen. During the time I’ve had Avast, whenever I stop all the providers running, I was unable to browse the web. No connection, although my cable modem showed no problems. As soon as I reactivated the providers, I would be able to get back online again.

Now, I uninstalled the software as I don’t need it anymore…and now I can’t browse the web again. It’s obviously changed some settings somewhere. I just have no idea where to look or what to do. I do have Windows Firewall running, although I’ve stopped it too to no avail. I tried a system restore and that didn’t help either. I’m not very savvy with this kind of thing. I just know that somehow, Avast took me offline whenever I STOPPED the providers…and now that I’ve uninstalled it, I’m offline yet again (am at a friend’s house trying to find some help.)

If anyone can help me in simple terms, please let me know! In advance, thanks so much.

Can you check your proxy settings into your browser and see if it is not set to “Work Offline” (this option is generally in the File menu).
Do you have any other antivirus installed?
Did you use Avast Uninstall tool for complete uninstallation?

Why would you want to stop all providers and then try to go on the Internet in the first place ?

The only provider you should need to pause or resume relating to the internet would be the Web Shield so the remaining providers can continue to protect your system.

Secondly avast isn’t a firewall so can’t block access unless that is to an infected web page or item and then it will alert you by waking the dead, but it doesn’t block. If you had set the URL Blocking in Web Shield, Customize, URL Blocking, then those URLs would be blocked and not all of the internet.

So I’m at a loss as to what might be going on with your system but your Internet Connection settings might have been trashed by malware integrated in to those settings and on removal it could have this effect.

Lost Internet Connection - To recover you internet connection, try downloading and running WinsockXPfix: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html

For XP SP2, try Windows Start button, Run - type ‘netsh winsock reset’ without the quotes - this may be enough to fix the issue.

Hi,
I checked on the File menu…offline is NOT checked. I tried to install another antivirus software, but couldn’t complete the process because it had to have an internet connection to register and finalize settings, etc. It is not listed in my programs, so I’m assuming it didn’t complete.

I uninstalled Avast through Control Panel’s Add/Remove. Didn’t utilize a removal tool. Now I suppose I can’t get to one because the software is uninstalled now and I can’t connect to the Net to download it.

One note: I AM able to connect to my FTP and I AM able to download email. It’s just not able to connect with IE. Hopefully that makes sense.

David, I would only disable the providers if I were installing programs that needed me to do so for proper installation. I doubt it’s malware because, while using Avast, everything was hunky dory fine UNTIL I stopped the providers. Immediately upon starting them again, I was able to get back online…

You shouldn’t have to disable avast to install programs.

My thoughts are why do the say this is necessary and what is it that they are hiding that they don’t want an AV to scrutinise.

Also you can download the file first and disconnect from the internet and run the installation whilst off-line if you absolutely fell you have to disable your AV.

I have no idea why this would happen as avast simply isn’t set-up to stop access to the internet if it isn’t running, if you want to commit virtual suicide by stopping the on-access protection avast won’t stop you. The fact that that has happened means there has to be something else in the mix, what is the $64,000 question.

So what were these programs that required you to disable avast ?
What other security software do you have that might just have an effect (somehow get integrated with avast) ?

Have you tried using a different browser, Opera or Firefox to connect and what version of IE are you using ?

My easiest reply, and probably most accurate, is that I’m not hugely computer savvy when it comes to this kind of thing. I was under the impression that anytime software was installed, one should disable running programs to ensure proper installation. It was just on an accident that I found out disarming the providers in Avast took me offline too. I didn’t stop them with the intention of not activating them again. It was only something I did to install something. If I didn’t need to do that, I’ll chalk that up to my in-expertise.

I know you are saying Avast shouldn’t have anything to do w/ the my IE connection. But I’m here to say that something in the software was preventing me going online when I stopped running the providers temporarily. And upon restarting, I was back online with no problem. This is only affecting IE, as I’m still able to FTP and send and receive email.

I acknowledged the fact that you are experiencing a problem but why is the question.

The fact that that has happened means there has to be something else in the mix, what is the $64,000 question.]The fact that that has happened means there has to be something else in the mix, what is the $64,000 question.

If it were a problem in avast then I can guarantee that you wouldn’t be the first to experience it and there would be lots of people reporting this problem (perhaps not, depends on how many do the same as you and disable avast and try to go on-line, gamers perhaps), but as you said you have looked and these that you found were the opposite.

Now that doesn’t resolve your problem, but have you tried the options I gave, different browser, the ‘netsh winsock reset’ or winsockxofix I previously suggested ?

Download the avast! uninstall utility Tech posted to your friend’s computer, burn it to a CD, and bring it home with you. Copy it to your computer, install and run it. This will remove any remaining traces of avast! so if the problem is related to avast! this should resolve it. This should also allow you to install your new antivirus.

David’s suggestion about trying an alternate browser makes sense to test whether IE is the problem. I think you can fit at least one of those he mentioned on the same CD as the avast! tool.

btw, what antivirus are you trying to install. Does it have a firewall component?