Today, while browsing the internet, something happened that I can no longer get on the internet. The last task that I had performed was to download and install PeerBlock. PeerBlock was running fine for over and hour before the problem occurred Here's what I've attempted to cure the problem, and lastly will be my thought on the outcome. Firstly: I'm running XP Professional. I'm using an actiontec DSL Modem, and I installed a Linksis wireless router adapter. I then uninstalled peerblock. I tried talking with my service provider, they tried all of the usual tricks that they are told to do in the command window. I restarted my computer twice, the second time in safe mode. The problem continued, and they were sure that it was a hardware issue. After talking with my roommate - who is much more savvy with such stuff - he attempted the same tricks with the same results. The adapter, router, and modem all seem to be working perfectly - -even showing on the computer that they're working fine (his computer uses the same router and he's able to connect to the internet). Except: the network connections window shows "limited or no connectivity". We are both under the impression that Firefox is having trouble connecting to the ethernet port and the USB router adapter. I've even checked the setting in Firefox to be sure they aren't conflicting. Once again, I ask if I'm dealing with one of microsoft's nifty little self-deleting components? Has anyone shared this problem before, and found a way to cure it? 1 person needs an answerI do too

Run System Restore and go back to a time before the problem occurred.Boulder Computer Maven Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

No bueno...! I tried several things since I wrote this thread: I tried to restore to two different dates, but neither worked (Restore Failed). Then I thought that the winsock could have been corrupted, and tried to "flushDNS", then "registerdns" - that was successful in its own right, but didn't fix the problem I'm having with Firefox (or IE) reaching the wireless adapter. I then tried a "netsh winsock reset", and then a little program called LSP-Fix, but it found no problems with my setup. I then tried regedit deleting Winsock and Winsock2, and using network connection properties to reinstall with the prompt: C:\Windows\inf. I'm still neither able to reach my USB Wireless Adapter, nor am I able to use the ethernet. It feels like windows is blocking any program from getting to the ethernet port and the usb port being used by the modem. Does this make any sense at all? Went to Network Connections (control panel) and double-clicked on it to see the status of the two methods of contacting the dsl modem: Wireless (USB) Adapter: 54Mbps; Strength: Excellent; Status: Connected; 2 Packets sent; 0 Packets received. Ethernet: 100 Mbps; Status Connected; 0 Packets sent; 0 Packet received. When I open Firefox I still get the error "Server Not Found"... and that's www.google.com. I use Comodo for my firewall, and I double-checked it to make sure it was okay with Firefox, but I found no evidence that it doesn't like it. Next idea?

Some security programs prevent changes to their files and have to be configured to allow System Restore to work. For example, if your computer has Norton Antivirus or Norton Internet Security, you must turn off Norton Product Tamper Protection before running System Restore. Boulder Computer Maven Microsoft Most Valuable Professional I don't use Norton products, but I'll see if Comodo has it.

Still no bueno! I tried as you said and my computer continues to fail to restore. I tried the nearest restore point (Feb 11), and Feb 5th. Just so you know, this is my life... When my computer decides to do something screwy, I spend days trying to correct it. Any other ideas? Do you know of any module in Windows that would stop the computer from talking to the USB and the Ethernet ports? I haven't said it before, but thank you for your help.

Run this command in a command prompt window, reboot, and see if it helped: netsh winsock reset If not, open a command prompt window, type this command, and let us know what it shows: ipconfig /allBoulder Computer Maven Microsoft Most Valuable Professional