The only way I can access the internet and also read my Outlook Express email is by opening the Task Manager Screen.Here is my email address Email removed for privacy

Hi mallard2us, ·What happens when you try to open internet explorer or outlook express normally?·Are you able to boot to the desktop?·What is the service pack installed on your computer?·Do you have any security software installed on your computer? 1. Check if any error codes and error message is listed in event viewer: How to view and manage event logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427 2. Check the behavior in safe mode with networking,to boot the computer in safe mode with networking:a. Restart the computer and press and hold F8 key (Press and hold f8 key before the windows logo).b. From the advanced boot option select ‘Safe mode’. 3. Run online virus scan and check if any malware or virus activity found on the computer. You may run online virus scan from the below link: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm Regards:Samhrutha G S - Microsoft Support.Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any from than more than 48 hours ago. You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description are important. A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double click on the error you want to copy. You will see a button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event Viewer. This places a copy of the report into your Clipboard. Paste into the body your message. Make sure that this is the first paste after exiting from Event Viewer.Are any devices malfunctioning? Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information. Open Components under System Summary and click on Problem Devices. Is anything listed there? Are there any yellow question marks in Device Manager? Right click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties, Hardware, and Device Manager. If yes what is the Device Error code? To see Hidden Devices (Non Plug and Play Drivers) you need to select View, Show Hidden Devices. It is necessary to do this every time you open Device Manager if you need to see them. A further complication can be Ghosted Devices –installed but not connected!http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2005/04/29/display-hidden-devices-in-device-manager-xp/Hope this helps, Gerry Cornell

I have tried everything you suggested without any improvement to my system.I have never received a error message of any kind nor has my computer ever been infected with a virus.I'm thinking it may be necessary for me to pay a tech who can fix my problem either remotly or have someone come to my home.Thanks for your help.Bob Schmidt

What happens when you try to open internet explorer or outlook express normally?Nothing happens when I click on the "E" for the Internet or the E-mail key. Both open but I can't get into the Internet or open e-mail unless I hit the Ctrl & Alt and Delete key.Are you able to boot to the desktop?Yes but nothing else.I use Servive Pack 3I use Norton Security Suite.I have run a complete scan and have found no virus or malware on my PC.

I ran both of your suggested ideas, Malwarebytes and SuperAntiAsyware. Both of these found problems and threats and those were eliminated and removed from my system after full and complete scans.I appreciate your help, but neither were/are effective in resolving my internet access problem.I think one or more of my Windows internet programs has somehow been deleted over time.Thanks AgainBob

When you say you can't get into the Internet do you mean when you double click to launch Internet Explorer that nothing really seems to happen, you get an hourglass for a while, you see a blank screen or do you see a screen with stuff like this:Cannot connect to InternetInternet Explorer cannot display the webpage and you see:Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage Most likely causes:You are not connected to the Internet. The website is encountering problems. There might be a typing error in the address.Sometimes, "nothing happens" is interpreted different ways.I don't recall this issue you have, but we can try to eliminate some things.Since you think you might have had some threats, let's verify your network connection properties.Some malware will tamper with these settings and your anti malware software can't tell if you changed them or malware changed them so after removing any infections, it will just leave the settings as it finds them (this is usually a good thing) but may leave your Internet access disabled.Click Start, Run and in the box enter:inetcpl.cplClick OK to launch the Internet Properties control panel applet, choose Connections, LAN settings. Or, from Internet Explorer click Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN Settings.These settings control your Internet access for all browsers.(If you make any adjustments, write them down so you can undo the adjustments if you need to in case things get worse)On most non corporate environments, there will be a check in Automatically detect settings and the other boxes are (like Proxy server) are UNchecked. Automatically detect setting = checkedUse automatic configuration script = UNcheckedUse a proxy server for your LAN = UNcheckedMake any adjustments and click OK, OK to save the settings.Check your settings for the way your network adapter obtains it's IP and DNS settings. On most home systems, these settings should be set so the system will obtain the settings automatically.If you have another system on your network that is working, you can compare those settings with the settings on the system that is not working and make adjustments.Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network Connections and select your current network connection.On the General tab, click Properties.In the drop down list in the middle, locate and highlight the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) selection and click Properties.In the Internet Protocol Properties window, the usual selections are to obtain the IP and DNS settings automatically. Enable the following two options:Obtain an IP address automaticallyObtain DNS Server address automaticallyThe rest of the options in the screen should then be grayed out/unavailable.Make any adjustments and click OK, OK to save the settings.Restart your computer and test your connectivity.Do, or do not. There is no try.I decided to save up points for a new puppy instead of a pony!

I performed all of your suggestions and nothing has changed after a restart.I still have to use the CTRL ALT and Delete Key and open the Windows Task Manager Screen to access the internet.My pc came with Windows XP Home Addition already installed.ThxBob

I am not sure what do do next, but somebody else may have some ideas.It is probably something silly...Do, or do not. There is no try.I decided to save up points for a new puppy instead of a pony!

It looks like my best solution is to purchase a new pc. I've gotten about 5 years service this one.It's hard for me to believe that the Microsoft Support Moderator did not have a fix for this. I don't think I'm the first one to ever experience this problem.I would like to thank all of you whom have tried to help me.Bob

Well, there are other XP help forums too...If you decide to scuttle your old unit, send it to me and I will fix it or salvage it and donate it to charity.Do, or do not. There is no try.I decided to save up points for a new puppy instead of a pony!