Outlook 2007 cannot access the internet

[ruffilb]

I'll just follow the template posted earlier.

1. Cliff Notes:
- Outlook hangs when it needs to connect to the internet.
- IE also hangs.
- FF, all other programs work fine.
- Problem doesn't appear in Safe Mode.
- Symantec / Spysweeper come up negative.

2. Full description of the problem and symptoms

My outlook hangs whenever it tries to perform an action that requires the internet. Send&Receive doesn't work right (but doesn't crash the program outright), but whenever I click on any of my IMAP folders the program hangs and I have to end it using the task manager. Outlook works fine when I'm not connected to the internet.

I suspect the program is with all MS applications because IE also hangs when I start it up.

Symantec and Spysweeper both come up negative. A few days ago spysweeper removed "trojan-phisher-sinowal" from my computer. The problem cropped up *around* the time of the removal, but I don't think it was immediate/after the next reboot/etc. My point is that it might just be coincidence.

3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
Worked fine up until a few days ago.

4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
It happens every time - see above.

5. I already tried these steps:
- Spyware/AV Scan
- Patched outlook
- "Repair" office 2007
- Uninstall and reinstall outlook
- Checked hosts files for anything out of the ordinary (they are blank except for the localhost entry)
- Reset winsock configuration to default
- Scanned/Repaired PST files using MS's utility
6. My software:

Windows XP Pro SP3
Symantec AV
Spysweeper

7. My hardware
Thinkpad T61P - I don't think it's a hardware problem because it works in safe mode and the problem occurs regardless of what network adapter I'm using.

I'm thinking it's about time for a reformat anyway. If I can't fix this problem soon, I might just go ahead and do that. If anyone would like, I can post a hijackthis file or whatever else.

Thanks for your help all-

 

[RebateMonger]

Not sure what the problem is, but I'd concentrate on fixing the IE problem first. It's likely the same problem.

Have you looked at IE's Proxy Server settings? That's a common problem with I.E. not working. Folks somehow get a non-existent Proxy Server set in the "Connections/LAN settings".

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Not sure what the problem is, but I'd concentrate on fixing the IE problem first. It's likely the same problem.

Have you looked at IE's Proxy Server settings? That's a common problem with I.E. not working. Folks somehow get a non-existent Proxy Server set in the "Connections/LAN settings".

I suspect it is the same problem as well. Unfortunately, I cannot open IE because it immediately tries to access the home page and then hangs.

I don't care about IE working at all - I only use FF3 and checked IE on a hunch.

 

[ruffilb]

Oh, and I scanned/repaired all my PST files as well. I'll add that to the OP.

 

[bruceb]

What version of IE are you running ? ?
If it is IE6 then run IEFIX to see if that clears up the issue.
Failing that, I would suggest you consider an Antivirus scan
and also a scan with HiJackThis ... post the log in the Security
section as it sounds to me like something got in that should not have.

You can get IEFIX here: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm

 

[ruffilb]

I'm running IE7. I'll check the security forum.

 

[GaryJohnson]

Unfortunately, I cannot open IE because it immediately tries to access the home page and then hangs.

You should be able to get to the IE settings through 'Internet Options' in control panel, without having to actually open IE. To get to the proxy settings from there, click on the 'connections' tab, and then the 'LAN Settings' button.

You could also have a bad browser plugin, those are in 'Internet Options' on the 'Programs' tab, under the 'Manage Add-Ons' button.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: GaryJohnson

Unfortunately, I cannot open IE because it immediately tries to access the home page and then hangs.

You should be able to get to the IE settings through 'Internet Options' in control panel, without having to actually open IE. To get to the proxy settings from there, click on the 'connections' tab, and then the 'LAN Settings' button.

You could also have a bad browser plugin, those are in 'Internet Options' on the 'Programs' tab, under the 'Manage Add-Ons' button.

I tried this out. Unfortunately, it made no difference. There was no proxy server specified and all the addons looked legit. I disabled all the ones I didn't recognize, just for good measure, and I still got the same error.