WINXP problems - no internet connection within applications

[quiksil903]

Hi, hope someone knows what I am talking about and this is a simple fix.

I have an AT&T cable modem running through a hardware SMC router to a network of 5 computers who don't experience this problem (so I don't think it's an IP thing or settings on the router).

My general internet connection works fine: I can use my browser, messenging service, e-mail, etc.

The problem comes when a program/application tries to connect to the internet (for updates or whatnot). The result is that programs like Kazaa that have internet browser-type interfaces don't work. Kazaa, Morpheus and the like require within-application internet connections to appear in a frame-like interface, and all I get is the "cannot load" error message.

This problem appears too when I want to connect to the Internet for updating information in Microsoft Money or when Norton Antivirus wants to access new virus definitions. All of this seems to point to the same problem...except I have no idea what it is!

Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Apatewnas]

It looks like you have activated the firewall setting on yor Local Area Network connection. Since your main internet browsing and messenger services are ok (these are built in and should be allowed to pass through the firewall) and all the other programs don't work (Kazaa, Morpheus and other similar programs require special port access to the internet) i suggest you take a look at the properties tab of your connection. Your router is ok too since the other machines are working properly.

 

[quiksil903]

Actually, I have the firewall option unchecked. I thought that might be it too so I have treid that and lowering the security settings on Internet Explorer, neither to any success.

 

[Apatewnas]

Can u try accessing special ports such as telnet(23) ftp (21) or other special ports (proxy 8080) using a program? Have u tried to connect to Yahoo games for example to see if the ports there (something arround 5000-5500) are all up and running? Maybe it's just the progs' problem not understanding the Winsock Layer. Try the individual proxy/firewall settings of each program and use the gateway ip as a socks 4 firewall machine. I'm just trying to see if other "abnormal" ports have the same problem.

 

[quiksil903]

I tried telnet and I don't think it worked (although I'm not sure if I was accessing the right mail server)

Yahoo games works

I don't know an ftp site to test port 21, nor do I know how to test port 8080




<< Try the individual proxy/firewall settings of each program and use the gateway ip as a socks 4 firewall machine. >>



Not sure how to do this on most programs (don't know where to find the settings, but I'll try and look)

No dice so far....any other suggestions (thanks for the help, btw)

 

[quiksil903]

Also potentially of interest:

say we power-cycle our cable modem or router or when there is a significant service outage, when the connection resumes, my computer often needs a reboot to access the intenet again. Not so with other computers on my network. Also, I cannot always access my router from the web-browser interface when others on my network can. I run a Dell XPS T500 with XP Pro and my main point of comparison is my roommate's XPS R350 running the same. His is an earlier model and both our connections are set to "automatically detect settings," yet his seems renew the IP faster than mine does (and wihtout a reboot).

Just piling up more info. Hope this points to something.

thanks

-quiksil

 

[Apatewnas]

All of this conclude problem with your network card. You can try switching cards with one of the other win98 machines to see if it fixes anything. My personal favorite lan cards are those with the Realtek8139 chipset and the 3com SOHO 100TX. I've tested them on more than 100 machines and work fine. Only problem that 3com doesn't have DOS drivers (just in case you want to do a Multicasting Ghost)

 

[quiksil903]

Actually, I don't think it's the NIC (I do own a 3Com, the 3C905C-TX)

I just uninstalled my ZoneAlarm firewall software, which I wasn't even running, and seemingly applications are restored. I am skeptical that this solved the problem, given the fact that I hadn't run the program in a good long while. It makes me think that there must be options within the ZoneAlarm application that would allow internet usage back and forth. I'm surprised it effectively bottled application's connection to the internet even while not running.

Anyway, unless anything else goes horribly wrong, I identified the problem. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to let Norton Antivirus update its file definitions AND firewall my computer to protect it (seems like a safety catch-22 that would be laughable if not so dangerous).

So stay tuned for future updates on having your cake and eating it too.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Apatewnas]

ARGHHH! You had Zone Alarm installed??? This is by far the most crappiest firewall i've ever seen. Search for Conceal PC Firewall and see what I mean when I say firewalls are for experts only. Glad you had the stupid problem fixed