Lost internet connection after Avast update & malware virus quarantine thursday 

system · 2015-03-24T20:31:52.000Z

Hi Essexboy!
Ran FRST64, rebooted and got something new on the internet open attempt.

Windows Firewall has blocked Firefox. Screenshot attached.

Still no internet.

essexboy · 2015-03-24T20:54:52.000Z

Place a tick in private networks, apply and then try again. Can IE access the net ?

system · 2015-03-25T01:33:34.000Z

Unfortunately, no.

I restarted after seeing the attached resulting screens, hoping it would clear and work normally.

Incremental progress though, as the Firefox page appeared - but it leads to nowhere. 2nd screenshot shows the problematic Server Not Found page.

essexboy · 2015-03-25T14:52:42.000Z

Please download MiniToolBox, save it to your desktop and run it.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/minitoolbox.JPG

Checkmark the following checkboxes:

[]Flush DNS
[]Report IE Proxy Settings
[]Reset IE Proxy Settings
[]Report FF Proxy Settings
[]Reset FF Proxy Settings
[]List content of Hosts
[]List IP configuration
[]List Winsock Entries
[]List last 10 Event Viewer log
[]List Installed Programs
[]List Devices
[]List Users, Partitions and Memory size.
[*]List Minidump Files

Click Go and post the result (Result.txt). A copy of Result.txt will be saved in the same directory the tool is run.

Note: When using “Reset FF Proxy Settings” option Firefox should be closed.

system · 2015-03-25T20:27:30.000Z

Morning
Here are the Results.

essexboy · 2015-03-25T21:58:07.000Z

Hmm I can see an error that needs checking out. Let me know the result of this

To determine whether your computer’s name is correct, at the command prompt, type nbtstat -n, and then press ENTER.
If the computer name is correct, no further user action is required.

If the name is incorrect, try resetting the network adapter.

To verify that the WMI Performance Adapter service is enabled

1.In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.
2.Double-click WMI Performance Adapter.In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.
3.On the shortcut menu, click Disable.
4.Right-click the network adapter again, an then click Enable.

system · 2015-03-26T01:04:12.000Z

Nothing worked.

Screenshot1 is incorrect. I typed nbtstat -n incorrectly.

system · 2015-03-26T01:11:11.000Z

Here is the Wifi connection to Netgear76 listed at right of screenshot4.

system · 2015-03-26T01:35:40.000Z

3rd attempt to post this reply…

This screenshot shows full bar connection to our network , yet zero access (Server Not Found).

system · 2015-03-26T07:18:26.000Z

The correctly spelled nbtstat -n had the attached result (no names).

essexboy · 2015-03-26T15:03:23.000Z

OK you will need to uninstall and then re-install the network adapter

system · 2015-03-27T10:46:36.000Z

Hey Essexboy
Completed the uninstall & install but no improvement achieved. Still the Server Not Found error message.

Short of that, all looks correct.???

essexboy · 2015-03-27T13:33:31.000Z

Could you download and then run the correct version of this fixit http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/299357

system · 2015-03-28T01:25:50.000Z

Good day
Ran it twice to no net improvement (pun intended!)

essexboy · 2015-03-28T11:27:40.000Z

OK as you are using windows 8 the next step would be to download and install the 8.1 update http://www.redmondpie.com/download-windows-8.1-pro-iso-file-legally-without-product-key/

system · 2015-03-28T21:14:50.000Z

Sorry, can’t go there. Not interested in an OS that strongly urges you to store your personal stuff on their servers. Duh!

Besides, they try to auto-install it anyway via silent update method. KB xxxxxxxxx, etc. Have to turn off MS updates in order to avoid the no-choice-update to 8.1, while you’re sleeping.

essexboy · 2015-03-28T21:41:10.000Z

Windows 8 will shortly stop receiving updates

The other remaining option is to refresh the system http://www.howtogeek.com/132428/everything-you-need-to-know-about-refreshing-and-resetting-your-windows-8-pc/

system · 2015-03-29T07:50:47.000Z

When I go into Network Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > NETWORK CONNECTIONS screen in Win8, I then click on WIFI icon with hyperlink “Unidentified Network” > opens the Wifi Status box.

WIFI STATUS shows it is enabled with no connectivity to IPv4 Connectivity and IPv6 Connectivity.

When I click on Wireless Properties > Security tab it shows the proper NAME, SSID, NETWORK TYPE, and NETWORK AVAILABILITY. I have checked the first box: Connect automatically when this network is in range.

Then clicking on the SECURITY tab, the correct information is shown EXCEPT in the NETWORK SECURITY KEY box. It shows a small string of dots (about 50% of the proper length).

When I check the SHOW CHARACTERS box, the short string changes and the correct security key is listed.

I uncheck the box and click OK to close the SECURITY tab, then click CLOSE for the remaining WIFI STATUS box.

THEN WHAT HAPPENS
The remaining screen is the aforementioned NETWORKS CONNECTIONS screen.

Immediately it says ENABLED, then it flashes to checking status, then changes to UNIDENTIFIED. See attachments.

Then when I recheck that SECURITY tab field, it has been auto changed to the short (incorrect) string of dots (security key).

What is causing that to happen?

That must be the BLOCK to my internet access! ???

How can I correct that action?

essexboy · 2015-03-29T10:12:30.000Z

The number of dots means nothing as windows replaces the code with a defined length series of dots to stop anyone trying to guess the code

As I say I feel a refresh is your best option if you are not going to install 8.1

system · 2015-04-02T03:27:21.000Z

Ok understood.

Back to my original question: Did Avast block my internet (IP) connection?

Also, see the attached screenshots where in the Overview screen it says everything is protected, you drilling down into Firewall, it says it cannot turn on the firewall.

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