Having mysterious new problem with old linksys gateway

The problem i am experiencing is that on my home network i have been using for several years now one computer on my network suddenly cannot get online..however it can connect. I have called my access point manufacturer which is Cisco and paid for help but the were not able to help me. They determined that all is working well and all settings are as they should be. I then contacted my ISP, Cox communications and was essentially told the same thing. This is after going through several tests with each, such as ping tests, turning the gateway off/on, reviewing settings such as TCP/IP, DNS, etc, etc. The findings were that i have IP addresses and everything else that should be there. Ive turned off the firewall, disabled antivirus, reset tcp/ip stack and winsock. I have been working on this for two days and after paying for it still do not have it fixed. The computer acts as it normally does, no other problems except that when i press the IE icon to open a browser window it tries to go to my homepage, google, but then reverts to the "page cannot be displayed screen". This computer is running XP SP2 and is a wired connection(although it was wireless when i first experienced the problem because i have a network adapter installed as well..but i disabled it and enabled my LAC and used the ethernet cable because this is one of the exercises cisco ahd me perform to see if i could connect wired/wirelessly.. better bandwidth anyway at 100mbps compared to the 56mbps with the wireless-g adapter). The othe computer is a laptop running windows 7. It is connected wirelessly although it works if i use the wire too. Now two days ago both computers worked and had been for years. Then all of a sudden i cant get online with the desktop. This is a major problem for us and even though i usually fix my XP computer myself through viruses and windows installation repairs over the years this one has me stumped..i cannot figure out what is happening here. Looking for help on this and hopefully learn something new. Thank you in advance for any and all help in this matter. Andy

1. bring up a command prompt and then try pinging familiar sites, like google.com for example. If ping google.com times out, try pinging the IP "ping 72.14.204.147" or do yahoo both ways. Yahoo's IP is 209.191.122.70. If the ping on google.com or yahoo.com doesn't work, but the ping on the IP addresses do, then you have a problem with dns name resolution.

2. do an ipconfig /all and see if you have a DNS server (or more) and make sure the DNS server is NOT your router. It should be the external DNS server of Cox and should be identical to the DNS server of your Win7 machine.

3. Check your hosts file
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
I assume you know it's a hidden system file so select *all files* from the dropdown and open it in Notepad. Make sure it contains nothing other than the standard, 127.0.0.1 localhost entry.

4. Try an alternate browser. If you didn't have Firefox or an alternate browser installed already, you can download the firefox install file on the working computer and transfer it and install it. See if Firefox works. If it does, you've narrowed it down to IE (settings most likely).

5. Troubleshoot for ICS issues between the Win7 and XP machine. Recent updates, or software installations could have messed up prior settings that worked and could now prevent it from working especially of you are working on homegroups.

Firstly, thank you for your help Sir. I your instructions pinging google, etc. For google dot com:ping request could not find host.., yahoo dot com the same. As for 72.14.204.147 and 209.191.122.70 4 packets sent, 4 recieved. I did ipconfig/all on desktop, dns servers are listed as 68.105.28.11, 68.105.29.11, 68.105.28.12 respectively..did ipconfig/all on Win7 machine and they are the same. Hosts file is intact. Downloaded and tried to install goolge chrome but wont allow access to net to complete, able to instal mozilla but it cant find server. Additionally i didnt include in my original post in the last couple days ive also uninstalled/reinstalled IE8. Uninstalled/reinstalled adapter drivers, took out adapter and replaced it, reset linksys gateway controls and renamed SSid and passphrase after which the laptop still worked but desktop didnt. Andy.

Since you can ping the IP addresses, but not the domain names, the problem is with name resolution.

For future reference uninstalling IE8 and reinstalling it, is not a good idea if it can be avoided. It is tied into so many things that it can really mess up much more than it fixes.

To address the name resolution, your DNS servers that you listed are Cox's DNS servers so I'll assume those to be correct. What is your Default Gateway? You can test this again by doing an ipconfig /all

The default gateway should be the IP address of the router. It should be 192.168.1.1 Your default gateway should NOT be your Win7 machine, or any other address besides 192.168.1.1 If it is not, then that is your problem. (192.168.1.1 is the IP address for most Cisco/Linksys routers - check your documentation to confirm that's correct for your model).

If you have a firewall besides the Windows Firewall installed on the problem machine (such as Norton for example), check the settings and make sure you have not blocked outbound internet traffic or simply try disabling or uninstalling the firewall.

As far as ICS i pinged win7 machine: 4 sent 4recieved. Pinged default gateway, which is 192.168.0.1: 4sent 4 recieved. Correct the default gateway is not the win7 laptop. I have no other firewalls but windows firewall which i have disbled already and tried to connect.

I have also been looking into virus possibility running full scans with malwarebytes and super antispyware..they both found nothing. Also ran spybot s&D it found nothing. Ccleaner, downloading windows defender right now to install and run. Andy

well then in addition to those, go to start/run and type MRT.exe That will bring up the stand alone version of the Microsoft Malicious Removal tool. Run a full scan with it. It will look for and elliminate root kits and other known malware that could be affecting your name resolution.

Also run combofix from here
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/downloa ... s/combofix

Here are instructions on how to use combofix
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofi ... e-combofix

Thank you. MRT didnt find anything. Here is the combofix results:
ComboFix 11-02-28.01 - AvD 02/28/2011 11:13:48.2.1 - x86
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600.2.1252.1.1033.18.1023.658 [GMT -7:00]
Running from: F:\ComboFix.exe
.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Other Deletions )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.

c:\program files\Internet Explorer\SET13.tmp
c:\program files\Internet Explorer\SET14.tmp
c:\windows\settings.reg
c:\windows\system32\muzapp.exe

.
((((((((((((((((((((((((( Files Created from 2011-01-28 to 2011-02-28 )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.

2011-02-28 17:56 . 2011-02-28 17:56 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Temp
2011-02-28 17:56 . 2011-02-28 17:56 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Adobe
2011-02-28 17:30 . 2011-02-28 17:30 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Windows Defender
2011-02-28 02:39 . 2011-02-28 02:39 -------- d-sh--w- c:\documents and settings\Administrator\IECompatCache
2011-02-28 02:38 . 2011-02-28 02:38 -------- d-sh--w- c:\documents and settings\Administrator\PrivacIE
2011-02-27 18:08 . 2011-02-27 18:08 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\All Users\Application Data\MFAData
2011-02-27 17:42 . 2011-02-27 17:45 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\AvD\Application Data\IObit
2011-02-27 17:42 . 2011-02-27 17:42 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\IObit
2011-01-30 22:18 . 2011-01-30 22:18 -------- d-----w- c:\documents and settings\AvD\Local Settings\Application Data\Walmart MP3 Music Downloads
2011-01-30 22:18 . 2011-01-30 22:18 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Walmart MP3 Music Downloads
2011-01-30 15:45 . 2011-01-30 15:45 135568 ----a-w- c:\program files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll

.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Find3M Report ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
2011-01-13 17:28 . 2011-01-13 17:28 16968 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\hitmanpro35.sys
2011-01-13 17:27 . 2011-01-13 17:27 134464 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\LnkProtect.dll
2011-01-13 17:00 . 2001-08-18 12:00 52352 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\volsnap.sys
2010-12-21 01:09 . 2011-01-12 21:55 38224 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
2010-12-21 01:08 . 2011-01-12 21:55 20952 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys
2010-12-09 03:05 . 2010-12-09 03:05 409600 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\wrap_oal.dll
2010-12-09 03:05 . 2003-03-28 10:24 114688 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\OpenAL32.dll
2003-01-13 18:20 . 2008-12-20 20:55 278528 ------w- c:\program files\internet explorer\plugins\PanoViewer.dll
1999-04-30 23:00 . 2008-12-20 20:55 98304 ------w- c:\program files\internet explorer\plugins\UPjpeg.dll
.

------- Sigcheck -------

[-] 2008-04-14 . 5F1D5F88303D4A4DBC8E5F97BA967CC3 . 15360 . . [5.1.2600.5512] . . c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\cf8ec753e88561d2ddb53e183dc05c3e\ctfmon.exe
[7] 2004-08-04 . 24232996A38C0B0CF151C2140AE29FC8 . 15360 . . [5.1.2600.2180] . . c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\ctfmon.exe
[7] 2002-08-29 . 414DE7CF9D3F19C3EA902F1BB38EC116 . 13312 . . [5.1.2600.1106] . . c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\ctfmon.exe

c:\windows\System32\ctfmon.exe ... is missing !!
.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Reg Loading Points ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
.
.
*Note* empty entries & legit default entries are not shown
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"StartCCC"="c:\program files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" [2010-02-11 61440]
"SMSTray"="c:\program files\Samsung\Samsung Media Studio 5\SMSTray.exe" [2007-12-15 132624]
"RemoteControl"="c:\program files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe" [2003-12-09 32768]
"P17Helper"="P17.dll" [2005-05-04 64512]
"IntelliPoint"="c:\program files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe" [2008-06-10 1406024]

c:\documents and settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk - c:\program files\Hp\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe [2007-3-11 210520]

[hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\ShellExecuteHooks]
"{5AE067D3-9AFB-48E0-853A-EBB7F4A000DA}"= "c:\program files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASSEH.DLL" [2008-05-13 77824]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\winlogon\notify\!SASWinLogon]
2009-09-03 22:21 548352 ----a-w- c:\program files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\control\session manager]
BootExecute REG_MULTI_SZ autocheck

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service]
@=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\WinDefend]
@="Service"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\shared tools\msconfig\services]
"vseqrts"=3 (0x3)
"vsedsps"=2 (0x2)
"vseamps"=2 (0x2)
"ioloSystemService"=2 (0x2)
"ioloFileInfoList"=2 (0x2)

[HKLM\~\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\standardprofile\AuthorizedApplications\List]
"%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe"=
"c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\rapimgr.exe"= c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\rapimgr.exe:169.254.2.0/255.255.255.0:Enabled:ActiveSync RAPI Manager
"c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe"= c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe:169.254.2.0/255.255.255.0:Enabled:ActiveSync Connection Manager
"c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESMgr.exe"= c:\program files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESMgr.exe:169.254.2.0/255.255.255.0:Enabled:ActiveSync Application
"c:\\Program Files\\Valve\\Steam\\SteamApps\\common\\red orchestra\\System\\RedOrchestra.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Valve\\Steam\\SteamApps\\bluetang77\\zombie panic! source\\hl2.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Valve\\Steam\\SteamApps\\bluetang77\\age of chivalry\\hl2.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Valve\\Steam\\SteamApps\\bluetang77\\day of defeat source\\hl2.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\bin\\hpfccopy.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\Unload\\HpqDIA.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\bin\\hpqkygrp.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\Unload\\HpqPhUnl.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\bin\\hpqscnvw.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\bin\\hpqste08.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Hp\\Digital Imaging\\bin\\hpqtra08.exe"=
"c:\\Program Files\\Messenger\\msmsgs.exe"=

[HKLM\~\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\standardprofile\GloballyOpenPorts\List]
"1723:TCP"= 1723:TCP:@xpsp2res.dll,-22015
"1701:UDP"= 1701:UDP:@xpsp2res.dll,-22016
"500:UDP"= 500:UDP:*:Disabled:@xpsp2res.dll,-22017
"26675:TCP"= 26675:TCP:169.254.2.0/255.255.255.0:Enabled:ActiveSync Service
"56427:TCP"= 56427:TCP:Pando Media Booster
"56427:UDP"= 56427:UDP:Pando Media Booster

R1 SASDIFSV;SASDIFSV;c:\program files\SUPERAntiSpyware\sasdifsv.sys [2/17/2010 11:25 AM 12872]
R1 SASKUTIL;SASKUTIL;c:\program files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASKUTIL.SYS [5/10/2010 11:41 AM 67656]
R2 WinDefend;Windows Defender;c:\program files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe [11/3/2006 7:19 PM 13592]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\svchost]
hpdevmgmt REG_MULTI_SZ hpqcxs08 hpqddsvc
.
Contents of the 'Scheduled Tasks' folder

2011-02-26 c:\windows\Tasks\AppleSoftwareUpdate.job
- c:\program files\Apple Software Update\SoftwareUpdate.exe [2008-07-30 19:34]

2008-10-09 c:\windows\Tasks\Microsoft_Hardware_Launch_IPoint_exe.job
- c:\program files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe [2008-06-10 19:56]

2011-02-28 c:\windows\Tasks\MP Scheduled Scan.job
- c:\program files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe [2006-11-04 02:20]

2011-02-28 c:\windows\Tasks\User_Feed_Synchronization-{20847A3E-6AA6-4F96-907C-6D476133AA92}.job
- c:\windows\system32\msfeedssync.exe [2009-03-08 11:31]

2011-02-28 c:\windows\Tasks\User_Feed_Synchronization-{FFEE9CD8-45E8-4D06-AB4E-8C2A0497F575}.job
- c:\windows\system32\msfeedssync.exe [2009-03-08 11:31]
.
.
------- Supplementary Scan -------
.
uStart Page = hxxp://www.googledotcom/
mStart Page = hxxp://www.msndotcom
uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
DPF: Garmin Communicator Plug-In - hxxps://my.garmin dot com/static/m/cab/2.8.1/GarminAxControl.CAB
DPF: {7C9C5968-FA32-4724-AA58-7BF98B40005D} - hxxps://secure.riosalado dot edu/riowebapps/techcheck/SystemRequirements.cab
DPF: {C8E7CBFB-9F2E-42C7-B4CB-D4B7FC89A363} - hxxp://www.gather dot com/imageuploader/GatherUploader5.cab
FF - ProfilePath - c:\documents and settings\AvD\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\1m0y2lte.default\
FF - Ext: Default: {972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd}
FF - Ext: Java Quick Starter: jqs@sun dot com - c:\program files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ff
.
.
------- File Associations -------
.
JSEFile=NOTEPAD.EXE %1
.
- - - - ORPHANS REMOVED - - - -

Toolbar-Locked - (no file)
HKCU-Run-SpybotSD TeaTimer - c:\program files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
SafeBoot-klmdb.sys



**************************************************************************

catchme 0.3.1398 W2K/XP/Vista - rootkit/stealth malware detector by Gmer, http://www.gmer dot net
Rootkit scan 2011-02-28 11:18
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 NTFS

scanning hidden processes ...

scanning hidden autostart entries ...

scanning hidden files ...

scan completed successfully
hidden files: 0

**************************************************************************
.
--------------------- LOCKED REGISTRY KEYS ---------------------

[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-776561741-362288127-839522115-1004\Software\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AddressBook*]
@Allowed: (Read) (RestrictedCode)
@Allowed: (Read) (RestrictedCode)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\CLSID\{A483C63A-CDBC-426E-BF93-872502E8144E}]
@Denied: (A 2) (Everyone)
@="FlashBroker"
"LocalizedString"="@c:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\FlashUtil10m_ActiveX.exe,-101"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\CLSID\{A483C63A-CDBC-426E-BF93-872502E8144E}\Elevation]
"Enabled"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\CLSID\{A483C63A-CDBC-426E-BF93-872502E8144E}\LocalServer32]
@="c:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\FlashUtil10m_ActiveX.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\CLSID\{A483C63A-CDBC-426E-BF93-872502E8144E}\TypeLib]
@="{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\Interface\{E3F2C3CB-5EB8-4A04-B22C-7E3B4B6AF30F}]
@Denied: (A 2) (Everyone)
@="IFlashBroker4"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\Interface\{E3F2C3CB-5EB8-4A04-B22C-7E3B4B6AF30F}\ProxyStubClsid32]
@="{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Classes\Interface\{E3F2C3CB-5EB8-4A04-B22C-7E3B4B6AF30F}\TypeLib]
@="{FAB3E735-69C7-453B-A446-B6823C6DF1C9}"
"Version"="1.0"
.
--------------------- DLLs Loaded Under Running Processes ---------------------

- - - - - - - > 'winlogon.exe'(632)
c:\program files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
c:\windows\system32\WININET.dll
c:\windows\system32\Ati2evxx.dll
.
Completion time: 2011-02-28 11:20:55
ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt 2011-02-28 18:20
ComboFix2.txt 2011-01-13 16:09

Pre-Run: 69,383,086,080 bytes free
Post-Run: 69,364,592,640 bytes free

- - End Of File - - 10D895B7E3DF1011A2CBD0A43B58CD17

Did your problem start before or after you installed IObit yesterday?

More appropriately when did the problem start and what was the last thing you remember doing/installing before it happened?

Before, that was another spyware program i used. Thats just it i didnt do anything. I didnt install anything new or delete anything. I do think that windows update may have installed some updates possibly but i didnt do anything out of the ordinary.

Also ran HijackThis:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 12:21:08 PM, on 2/28/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Hp\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\CDBurnerXP\NMSAccessU.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Protexis\License Service\PsiService_2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WMP54Gv4.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\ccc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
F:\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft dot com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft dot com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft dot com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMSTray] C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung Media Studio 5\SMSTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P17Helper] Rundll32 P17.dll,P17Helper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hp\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O16 - DPF: Garmin Communicator Plug-In - https://my.garmin dot com/static/m/cab/2.8.1/GarminAxControl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {48DD0448-9209-4F81-9F6D-D83562940134} - http://lads.myspace dot com/upload/MySpaceUploader1006.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} - http://gfx1.hotmail dot com/mail/w3/resources/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft dot com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1223251671514
O16 - DPF: {6C269571-C6D7-4818-BCA4-32A035E8C884} - http://www.creative dot com/softwareupdate/su/ocx/15101/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {6F15128C-E66A-490C-B848-5000B5ABEEAC} - https://h20436.www2.hp dot com/ediags/dex/secure/HPDEXAXO.cab
O16 - DPF: {7C9C5968-FA32-4724-AA58-7BF98B40005D} - https://secure.riosalado dot edu/riowebapps/techcheck/SystemRequirements.cab
O16 - DPF: {8100D56A-5661-482C-BEE8-AFECE305D968} - http://upload.facebook dot com/controls/2009.07.28_v5.5.8.1/FacebookPhotoUploader55.cab
O16 - DPF: {A9F8D9EC-3D0A-4A60-BD82-FBD64BAD370D} (DDRevision Class) - http://h20264.www2.hp dot com/ediags/dd/install/HPDriverDiagnosticsxp2k.cab
O16 - DPF: {C8E7CBFB-9F2E-42C7-B4CB-D4B7FC89A363} - http://www.gather dot com/imageuploader/GatherUploader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe dot com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {E77F23EB-E7AB-4502-8F37-247DBAF1A147} - http://gfx1.hotmail dot com/mail/w4/pr01/photouploadcontrol/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {ED28050F-D713-43BA-A376-DCC5C35407D5} (MsnMusicAx Class) - http://entimg.msn dot com/client/msnmusax8729.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} - http://www.creative dot com/softwareupdate/su/ocx/15106/CTPID.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: NMSAccess - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CDBurnerXP\NMSAccessU.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Protexis Licensing V2 (PSI_SVC_2) - Protexis Inc. - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Protexis\License Service\PsiService_2.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: WMP54Gv4SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

--
End of file - 6450 bytes

I see this line
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll

If you are not using Novell, or Novell Client (such as for work connections like a VPN), you don't need that. My guess is when you reworked your TCP/IP and Winsock, you installed IPX/SPX which Novell uses, but Windows doesn't. I don't think that would gum up your internet connection, but it may.

Before you do anything with that line (because you can't remove that via Hijackthis), read this page in it's entirety.
http://www.pchell.com/support/nwprovau_dll_file.shtml

Upon downloading and using LspFix it did not locate nwprovau.dll. However just before that i went to start>controlpanel>networkconnections>lac>properties and under 'this connection uses the following items' unchecked and removed a entry that said something about ipx/spx. I then had to restart. What is left under t, V3.4.30here now is: File and printer Sharing for MS Networks, Qos Packet Scheduler, Network Monitor Driver, Microsoft Tcp/ip version 6, AEGIS Protocol, IEEE802.1X, V3.4.30 which is unchecked, and finally Internet Protocol Tcp/ip. As far as what LspFix did locate was: mswsock.dll, winrnr.dll, and rsvpsp.dll, all needed dlls. This is why i am stumped. Tried everything for 3 days now and nothing is breaking. It appears that everything is fine but theres a reason why i cant connect and its evading everything thats been tried. Andy.

I suppose the next step would be to try uninstalling the windows updates. If I recall there were 11 or 12 total released this month. These are the security bulletins. I didn't look to see which ones applied to XP.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-se ... 01102.aspx

I cant get to microsoft update to review my update history...they are not displayed in add/remove programs so i have no way of getting to them to review and remove them..further i think you are supposed to repeal them in some sort of chronological order..is this right? Andy.