Connection problem? Wtf?

[Dizzle229]

Alright, so today my internet explorer just stopped working. Like, it opens, but it says it can't connect. Firefox still works as a backup, but it frequently crashes, so I'm pretty lucky to be typing this at all. On top of that, I can't connect to the Steam store or community from the Steam application.

 

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

P.S. I'm pretty sure its a virus, since it said before "Google search bar is infected" and that a scan had found something, and Google Chrome doesn't work either. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it. My Dad INSISTS that I have Norton, even though I've repeatedly tried to beat it into his head that I don't.

[D. V. Devnull]

I suggest you check your hosts file... Sounds like something's redirecting everything to 127.0.0.1 or doing something like just messing up your whole TCP/IP Stack... :-k

 

Also, if you could PLEASE post an HJT log, we would all appreciate it. Thanks in advance. :)

 

~Mr. D. V. "Just suggesting a possibility of where to check..." Devnull

[Ember]

.

[obfuscator]

I suggest you check your hosts file... Sounds like something's redirecting everything to 127.0.0.1 or doing something like just messing up your whole TCP/IP Stack... :-k

 

Also, if you could PLEASE post an HJT log, we would all appreciate it. Thanks in advance. :)

 

~Mr. D. V. "Just suggesting a possibility of where to check..." Devnull

If this was the case firefox wouldn't work.

 

Try on other computers, post a HJT log, reset your router(s) and modems, call your ISP.

[D. V. Devnull]

I suggest you check your hosts file... Sounds like something's redirecting everything to 127.0.0.1 or doing something like just messing up your whole TCP/IP Stack... :-k

If this was the case firefox wouldn't work.

Agreed... Sorry, my brain was trying to think while 75% tired. #-o

 

I'd love to know what could mess up the IE rendering engine this badly, though... :-k

 

~D. V. "Oops, sorry!" Devnull

[Sbrideau]

Connection =/= redering.

[Dizzle229]

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I'll try some of those suggestions and get back to you.

[Dizzle229]

Alright, so my friend suggested I try avast, which has worked like a charm. After a quick scan, I can now delete the virus at any time, but there's a problem. The entire IE executable is infected, so this thing will pretty much take the entire program with it. Before I delete it, is there any way to re-download IE?

[D. V. Devnull]

Alright, so my friend suggested I try avast, which has worked like a charm. After a quick scan, I can now delete the virus at any time, but there's a problem. The entire IE executable is infected, so this thing will pretty much take the entire program with it. Before I delete it, is there any way to re-download IE?

Yes, but you should only do it after wiping out the infected file. Visit Microsoft's website for the IE program. That, or just use your Windows OS Install Disc to restore a fresh non-infected copy of IE, and upgrade from there via Windows Update. :geek:

 

Good luck, though... In the past, it had the chance of being an all-day pain. I don't know how a more modern OS will react, if it doesn't just flat try to prevent you from wiping out the IE executable. :huh:

 

~D. V. "Now I know why I use a non-crashing FireFox..." Devnull

[obfuscator]

Alright, so my friend suggested I try avast, which has worked like a charm. After a quick scan, I can now delete the virus at any time, but there's a problem. The entire IE executable is infected, so this thing will pretty much take the entire program with it. Before I delete it, is there any way to re-download IE?

Easiest thing to do is forget about IE and use Firefox/Chrome.

[D. V. Devnull]

Alright, so my friend suggested I try avast, which has worked like a charm. After a quick scan, I can now delete the virus at any time, but there's a problem. The entire IE executable is infected, so this thing will pretty much take the entire program with it. Before I delete it, is there any way to re-download IE?

Easiest thing to do is forget about IE and use Firefox/Chrome.

They'll still need a clean copy of IE and its' rendering engine in order to view '.chm' help files and properly use programs that were designed specifically (and in my opinion, stupidly) to use IE's rendering systems. There is just about no way, almost literally, to forget completely about IE if you're a Windows (or as I like to think of it, WinBlows) user. Microsoft made it so there are too many hoops to even try to step around, including really stupid legal issues. :(

 

I'll be one to admit, though, that I wish there was a way to change the rendering engine all across the Windows OS Subsystem. Imagine, Windows Explorer, using FireFox's rendering engine to handle everything. :lol:

 

~D. V. "I really wish Windows Users could forget IE... Dang." Devnull

[obfuscator]

Alright, so my friend suggested I try avast, which has worked like a charm. After a quick scan, I can now delete the virus at any time, but there's a problem. The entire IE executable is infected, so this thing will pretty much take the entire program with it. Before I delete it, is there any way to re-download IE?

Easiest thing to do is forget about IE and use Firefox/Chrome.

They'll still need a clean copy of IE and its' rendering engine in order to view '.chm' help files and properly use programs that were designed specifically (and in my opinion, stupidly) to use IE's rendering systems. There is just about no way, almost literally, to forget completely about IE if you're a Windows (or as I like to think of it, WinBlows) user. Microsoft made it so there are too many hoops to even try to step around, including really stupid legal issues. :(

 

I'll be one to admit, though, that I wish there was a way to change the rendering engine all across the Windows OS Subsystem. Imagine, Windows Explorer, using FireFox's rendering engine to handle everything. :lol:

 

~D. V. "I really wish Windows Users could forget IE... Dang." Devnull

Well, it's pretty much impossible to "remove" IE from your windows install.

 

Using the IE tab in firefox will suit you well for most things, but as DVD said you will encounter the occasional program that just won't function without IE. If you find that happening often reformatting may be your only option.

 

Also, depending on what version of IE you are using you could upgrade to a newer version, which may fix the problem as well.

[Dizzle229]

Yeah, after this forced me to use Firefox for a while I'll be using it permanently, but I do need IE for Steam community.

 

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Edit: Graah. Explorer still has the same problem since the virus was removed, and I can't delete it to reinstall it.

[D. V. Devnull]

Edit: Graah. Explorer still has the same problem since the virus was removed, and I can't delete it to reinstall it.

I suggest that you pop in your Windows OS Disc, and look for a "Detect and Repair" or similar option. Hopefully, that will fix your problem. :)

 

~D. V. "When all else fails, sometimes the OS Disc can help..." Devnull

[MageUK]

Steam now (and has for a while) uses WebKit. Since the new UI came out.

[obfuscator]

Steam now (and has for a while) uses WebKit. Since the new UI came out.

Yeah I was wondering what the major change was. Nice to hear they don't rely on IE anymore.

[Dizzle229]

Then why doesn't steam community/store work since the virus? :blink:

 

P.S. I popped in the Vista disc, but my only two options are install and check for compatibility. I wasn't sure what would happen.

[Orpheus]

Steam now (and has for a while) uses WebKit. Since the new UI came out.

Yeah I was wondering what the major change was. Nice to hear they don't rely on IE anymore.

Yeah, since the web browser that is on the overlay actually functions at a reasonable speed for once :P