Can't get to google

[squirrel dog]

or any other search engine with the exception of ask.com . Have scanned and ran malware,nothing found./Windows Xp sp3 ie7 .

 

[balloonshark]

Could you be more specific? Are there any other symptoms such as a slow computer, pop-ups, can't get in task manager, etc.?

Which programs have you tried running? Have you tried Malwarebytes? If not download the free version, update it and run a quick scan. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

 

[squirrel dog]

I've updated and ran malwarebytes anti mal ware , avast is current and has scanned system , microsoft security essiantials ,updated and scanned , hosts file manually altered , cc cleaner updated and scanned , nothing found on any of this . Computer works fine , I just can't get to any search engine , but ask.com . Not google , not bing , not yahoo search . Pc isn't slow,can get into task manager.

 

[balloonshark]

Thanks for the extra info! I wonder if it's your dns servers? Who is your ISP?

 

[squirrel dog]

att dsl service

 

[balloonshark]

ATT U-verse? Looks like they have been having dns problems for a while but I'm not sure if it's your problem. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22349614-We-got-some-news-Slow-Web-Page-Loading

I'm going to step aside so others can assist. The only other thing I can think of is try Avast's boot time scan and perhaps scan with a boot cd or one of the online scans from a reputable company. Sorry I couldn't help further but I'm sure the extra info will help others help you.

 

[raincityboy]

If you ping google, do you get a correct IP? If I ping google I get 74.125.19.104, it will probably be different for you, but I can get to google via http://74.125.19.104/. Maybe verify the ip your resolving for google.com on another machine.

 

[squirrel dog]

I cannot ping google . (start/run/command/ping google.com)The request times out . This box is my wife's pc,an old p4 3.2 3gigs ram two 250 gig h/d's , would it just be easier for me to put vista on this box?Would that fix this?I have been fighting this problem for three days no luck,microsoft tech support emailing me with one 'fix' after another,none of which has worked.Worked fine with ie7,went to ie8 and this . Went back to ie7 and the trouble followed.

MS 1st try:
I understand the inconvenience you have experienced. Please be assured that I will do my best to help you.

Before we go any further, I would appreciate your help in clarifying the following questions:

1) How long are you facing this issue?
2) Was there any software installed recently on the computer?
3) Are you able to access any other websites?

Cause Analysis - This issue may occur if one of the following factors is true:


1) Change in the settings with IE 8, due to installation of updates or any software on the computer.
2) Corruption of user account

Suggestions - To troubleshoot this issue, I suggest we perform these steps:

1) Log in with another user account and check if IE displays google.com. If not follow the next step.
2) Reset IE

a) Click "Start", click "Run", please type "inetcpl.cpl" (without quotation marks) and press "Enter" to open the Internet options window.
b) Switch to the "Advanced" tab.
c) Click "Reset." to reset Internet Explorer settings.
d) The checkbox "Delete personal settings" should remain uncheck and click on "Reset" to confirm the operation.
d) Click "Close" when the resetting process is complete.
e) Launch "Internet options" window and switch to the "Advanced" tab again.
f) Uncheck "Enable third-party browser extensions" in the Settings box.
g) Switch to the "General" tab, click "Use Blank" under the Home page area
h) Click "Apply" and "OK".
i) Close the Internet Explorer window. If the issue still persists follow the next step




Please let me know the results of the above mentioned steps. In case you need clarification or further assistance, please email me and I will be glad to help. It is important for us to hear from you. Based upon your reply, I will update your service request.


If you have any feedback regarding Microsoft support, we would be glad to hear from you. If you would feel more comfortable speaking with someone else regarding my service, Ajay Pitale, my manager, would be very happy to hear your comments and suggestions.

I look forward to your reply.

MS try#2:

To troubleshoot this issue, I suggest we perform these steps:



1) Rename the host file



a) Click on "Start", click on "Run"

b) Type "drivers" and click on "ok", drivers folder will open up

c) Double click on "etc" to open the folder

d) Click on "Tools" on the menu bar and click on "Folder Options"
e) Switch to "View" tab

f) Under "Advance Settings" go to "Hidden files and folders"

g) Check on the radio button "Show hidden files and folders", click on "Apply" and "Ok"

h) Right click on "hosts" file and select rename

i) Rename to "hostsold"

j) Close all the windows and check if IE loads any of the search engine website

k) Incase IE still does not load the search engine websites follow the next step



2) Check in Safe Mode with Networking



In order to narrow down the cause of the issue more efficiently, let's restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This mode will load the system with the minimum amount of programs and devices. Please follow the instructions below:

a) Restart the computer and start pressing the F8 key on the keyboard right from the beginning. On a computer that is configured to boot multiple Operating Systems, press the F8 key when you see the boot menu.
b) When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe Mode with Networking, and then press Enter.
c) Log onto Windows by using the Administrator account or any user account with Administrator privileges.
d) Please check if IE is able to load the Google, Bing or Yahoo

NOTE: In Safe Mode with networking, your system display and Desktop will look and perform differently than in Normal Mode. This is only temporary. To go back to Normal Mode, we just need to restart the computer.



Please let me know the results of the above mentioned steps. In case you need further clarification or further assistance, please email me and I will be glad to help. It is important

for us to hear from you. Based upon our reply, I will update you service request.

 

[raincityboy]

Maybe try using third party DNS, like google dns 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 or even opendns 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

 

[tzdk]

You have scanned but if desperate try

Hitman Pro: http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro
Dr. Web CureIt: http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/
ESET online scan: http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

I think Hitman Pro installs a quick startup scan but you can uninstall in add/remove programs. Why not 2 or 5 more? I don't know. On a security forum people tend to see ghosts. I would do the scans just in case.

Next MS will refer to this page I think http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357 but not much point if real problem is infection. You can reset hosts file 10 times, it will return to infected state after a while, perhaps - we don't know for sure.

I know ask toolbar is annoying to remove and there can be leftovers. Why you can use little tools like this http://fred-de-vries.blogspot.com/2009/12/autoclean-ask-toolbar-remover.html but since you can't even ping google there must be more problems than crap from ask.com Did you ever install/remove that toolbar? Seems like something is "broken", could even be a security product like a hosed firewall. If you had one of those...

Not so sure both MSE and Avast is recommended. You have disabled resident parts of Avast and only use it for on-demand? That way it should work since Avast is somewhat compatible. If you don't want to scan with more tools then let Avast do a boot-scan. Also update Malwarebytes and scan once more, much can happen in few days. Must exclude infection as much as possible or you just waste time trying to fix.

Until details of computer is known most what you are told is guess work If you want better suggestions run GetSystemInfo from Kaspersky http://www.getsysteminfo.com/ Click Download link at top menu. When done address bar change and that url you post here. Means everyone can click on that link and see report which reveals everything about computer, software, drivers, services, probably dns settings etc as well - no personal info of course. A bit like a Hijackthis log on steroids and with a hosted url, tabs and all. Very convenient and free. I am pretty sure any problem will be noticed by someone. Can take 5-10 min to run btw but just do as you are told by program. Do a reboot and then run.

Kaspersky also have a nice Virus Removal Tool which could have been mentioned as well http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/ no end to scanning options but a bit difficult to tell if problem is infection or a messed up Windows. Until that is settled scan away. Must be more than Ask crap or they have certainly "improved" their add-ons.

 

[gsellis]

Maybe try using third party DNS, like google dns 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 or even opendns 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

If I ping google I get 74.125.19.104, it will probably be different for you, but I can get to google via http://74.125.19.104/.

Try these ^ . Ping 74.125.19.104 and then try the http://74.125.19.104. Then set your DNS manually to the above and even 4.2.2.2. Close IE and then restart.

 

[squirrel dog]

Gellis , that works ! Thanks a lot . Well ..... I get to google , but it won't search on anything , just sits there and times out , same with bing and yahoo .

 

[MrChad]

Gellis , that works ! Thanks a lot . Well ..... I get to google , but it won't search on anything , just sits there and times out , same with bing and yahoo .

If the IP address brings up the web page, you have a DNS issue. You'll need to change your TCP/IP configuration to use an alternative DNS server as mentioned above, or you need to contact your ISP and figure out why their DNS server is borked.

 

[tzdk]

You could try Network Diagnostics for Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914440 Might give a hint.

Does dns cache reset when you change server? Run "ipconfig /flushdns" if not.

Messing with dns is also sign of infection but who knows... If whatever is setting up dns for you problems won't go away that easy so trial and error will show.

 

[squirrel dog]

The pc in question has worked perfect for years , it is plugged into the wireless router.A laptop(mine)is behind it on the wireless lan . The laptop was also running xp , it got the sp3 update , still worked and after all the nagging I updated it to ie8,it then developed the same symtoms as the first pc . I gave up on fixing it , loaded vista back on it and it works fine now.I also have a third pc on the wireless lan , its xp and it works fine . I am approaching the fuck it stage on this matter . MS emailed me again today wanting me to change the startup config , I will do that and see. The Kaps scan did find and kill 4 trojans in a old zip file on E:\ drive . Still cant use any search engine but ask.com,otherwise pc works fine .

 

[MrChad]

The pc in question has worked perfect for years , it is plugged into the wireless router.A laptop(mine)is behind it on the wireless lan . The laptop was also running xp , it got the sp3 update , still worked and after all the nagging I updated it to ie8,it then developed the same symtoms as the first pc . I gave up on fixing it , loaded vista back on it and it works fine now.I also have a third pc on the wireless lan , its xp and it works fine . I am approaching the fuck it stage on this matter . MS emailed me again today wanting me to change the startup config , I will do that and see. The Kaps scan did find and kill 4 trojans in a old zip file on E:\ drive . Still cant use any search engine but ask.com,otherwise pc works fine .

It's tough to say what's going on. It certainly sounds like a DNS issue, but if you have one machine on your network running fine, that implies that your XP machine is infected with something that has screwed up your DNS settings.

Try resetting your TCP/IP settings.

 

[Modelworks]

When things like this happen I usually resort to wireshark. Wireshark allows you to see the actual traffic on the network.

http://www.wireshark.org/download.html

After install turn off any other pc or device connected to the network except the pc you want to diagnose. This makes it easier to understand.

Run wireshark and select start capture on (your network interface)
You will see a lot of stuff appear on the log.
Now open your web browser.
Pay attention to the lines in wireshark that are labled DNS and TCP that will show what is being requested and who is requesting it. Note the source and destination IP too to make sure it is using your router for the DNS and not some other site that malware may be using for the DNS, which has become more common . Often malware bypasses the local DNS and uses a direct ip like 4.2.2.2 to do the re-direction. Sites like ASK.com pay for referrals so malware redirects you to the site and credits the malware creator for the re-direct earning them money.


If you can report back anything that seems odd or a site you don't use then that will help give clues to the problem.

 

[daishi5]

When things like this happen I usually resort to wireshark. Wireshark allows you to see the actual traffic on the network.

http://www.wireshark.org/download.html

After install turn off any other pc or device connected to the network except the pc you want to diagnose. This makes it easier to understand.

Run wireshark and select start capture on (your network interface)
You will see a lot of stuff appear on the log.
Now open your web browser.
Pay attention to the lines in wireshark that are labled DNS and TCP that will show what is being requested and who is requesting it. Note the source and destination IP too to make sure it is using your router for the DNS and not some other site that malware may be using for the DNS, which has become more common . Often malware bypasses the local DNS and uses a direct ip like 4.2.2.2 to do the re-direction. Sites like ASK.com pay for referrals so malware redirects you to the site and credits the malware creator for the re-direct earning them money.


If you can report back anything that seems odd or a site you don't use then that will help give clues to the problem.

I don't want to be condescending, but from his earlier posts, I don't think wire-shark is the way to go for the OP. I would suggest a format-reinstall at this point if the OP has the disks and keys to do so. It sounds like he has spent several hours on this with no luck, and it doesn't sound like he is any closer to a solution.

 

[squirrel dog]

Much as I hate to get pulled kicking and screaming from Xp Pro,I have moved all data off of c:\ and will format' clean install Vista. I really got used to xp . Thanks everyone for the replies , thats why I love At .

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Have you considered windows 7? That should be a better experience than vista.

Much as I hate to get pulled kicking and screaming from Xp Pro,I have moved all data off of c:\ and will format' clean install Vista. I really got used to xp . Thanks everyone for the replies , thats why I love At .

 

[squirrel dog]

Thanks Chief , I ran the rc for over a year , for what I do vista will be fine on this old box . When I get a i7 rig,then windows 7 . Besides,I have three copies of vista,I would'nt want to run out and buy windows 7 just because .