Having problems updating and connecting to hosts

[Stigart]

Hey there,

I've just reinstalled Windows XP Home Edition and now I can't seem to update any of my anti-virus (ESET NOD32) and spyware programs (Ad-Aware).

Furthermore, I can't connect to the host when trying to register a program, like Photoshop CS3.

I've never had these kinda problems before. It sounds like a problem with settings, but I can't locate it. I can't find any virus' either.

Help would really be appreciated, thank you.

- Stigart

[ithonicfury]

First, can you browse to websites on that computer (although im assuming thats what computer your using now)?

If yes then see if you have a firewall installed that may be denying access to those programs.

If no make sure that the drivers for your network card were installed and that you have the right settings (that your getting an IP address if your using DHCP, or have all the numbers right if using static.)

[Stigart]

Thank you for answering.

I've tried turning off the firewall, but it did nothing.

All the drivers should be installed and the internet and IP-settings set to automatic as they should. Still nothing.

I'm a little lost, but thank you...

[Scarthy © ® ™]

Hi Stigart,

Have you been able to surf yet? ie. Has this problem only happened since you installed your AV, Ad-Aware etc?

What connection do you have? Router/modem, ADSL/Cable etc?

By host do you mean your ISP? Or have you been messing with the host file?

We need to find out what's going on or what has gone wrong, especially if you have been OK surfing at some point?

ThanX ;)

[Stigart]

Hey Scarthy,

Yeah, I'm surfing normally.

I first noticed the problem when trying to update my antivirus (NOD32). Since then I've not been able to update any of the anti-virus/spyware programs I use. I can't register some programs either because of the connection failure.

I guess that's the general problem, but how to fix it is beyond me.

However, I'm not having problems with updates for Windows.

I have modem and cable.

By host I meant the server I'm trying to update or register from.

Yeah, weird to be having connection problems when I'm surfing away.

Thank you for your enthusiasm... :)

[andsome]

have you updated your operating system, and installed SP2? :D

[Stigart]

have you updated your operating system, and installed SP2? :D

Yes, I've installed SP2.

Have I updated my operating system? Windows?

Yes, Windows should be working normally. No high priority-updates necessary it says.

Doesn't sound like any of the optional updates might work. I'll try them though...

UPDATED:

Ok, I installed some of the optional updates, incl. Explorer 7, but that didn't really help. Actually, Explorer 7 wouldn't let me online at all...

[Scarthy © ® ™]

Hi Stigart,

Have you got any progs that may be blocking you/ the sites you are trying to connect to? Like Peerguardian2 or Protowall? I ask this because you can surf normally and you are only having difficulties with certain sites used for registering programs (from what you have told us). Therefore, for me, something you have is blocking the sites and stopping you connecting to them? This shouldn't affect your AV updating tho...?

I haven't used Ad-Aware in a while, so I am unsure, but doesn't this have blocking components in it? Can anyone else comment on this please? I stopped using it as it was clashing with other programs I used, and I use Spybot S&D now.

Suggestions :-

1. Have you tried disabling Ad-Aware to see if this changes anything? As I said, I am not familiar with this now, and I am draw towards it as a 'possible blocking program'?

2. Do you have a Firewall installed? You don't mention one? This is because you could have let something in, unknowingly, if you didn't have one?

3. The settings for IE are in the 'Control Panel' in 'Internet Options', but they should be fine if you haven't messed with them?

I would be drawn towards doing a scan with Spybot S&D also as this would eliminate anything that may have 'snook in', especially if you don't have a firewall (***if it updates that is!***you can download the updates from the homepage and install manually if not!).

It is difficult to say really with the information available? ;)

[Stigart]

Hi Stigart,

Have you got any progs that may be blocking you/ the sites you are trying to connect to? Like Peerguardian2 or Protowall? I ask this because you can surf normally and you are only having difficulties with certain sites used for registering programs (from what you have told us). Therefore, for me, something you have is blocking the sites and stopping you connecting to them? This shouldn't affect your AV updating tho...?

I haven't used Ad-Aware in a while, so I am unsure, but doesn't this have blocking components in it? Can anyone else comment on this please? I stopped using it as it was clashing with other programs I used, and I use Spybot S&D now.

Suggestions :-

1. Have you tried disabling Ad-Aware to see if this changes anything? As I said, I am not familiar with this now, and I am draw towards it as a 'possible blocking program'?

2. Do you have a Firewall installed? You don't mention one? This is because you could have let something in, unknowingly, if you didn't have one?

3. The settings for IE are in the 'Control Panel' in 'Internet Options', but they should be fine if you haven't messed with them?

I would be drawn towards doing a scan with Spybot S&D also as this would eliminate anything that may have 'snook in', especially if you don't have a firewall (***if it updates that is!***you can download the updates from the homepage and install manually if not!).

It is difficult to say really with the information available? ;)

Hehe yeah, I'm not exactly a tech-wiz these matters concerning.

Well, as I said, I've never had these problems before and my settings should be as they always are. I rarely mess with anything I don't understand, BUT... this was the first time I re-installed Windows on my own, so maybe something went wrong with that...?

I've uninstalled Ad-Aware and it didn't changing anything unfortunately.

I don't have Peerguardian2 or Protowall. I just use the Windows firewall and changing those settings does nothing either.

I haven't changed anything in the EI-settings that I don't know what is.

I also tried with Spybot, but that wouldn't update either. It wouldn't even let me run a scan.

Yep, it's weird indeed.

Thanks for everything so far, folks. :)

[Scarthy © ® ™]

Hehe yeah, I'm not exactly a tech-wiz these matters concerning.

Me neither ;). It does sound like it could be a problem with the re-install that you did? Something missing or corrupted etc? But someone else might have some more suggestions for you to try before that? <--- Quite drastic, but fixes 99.9% of all software errors!

Anyone else got any suggestions to try before a re-format?

[andsome]

No more suggestions as such, but I think I can exonerate Adaware. I stopped using it some time ago, but heard good things of the newer version, so installed that and have been using it with no problems for several weeks. (Adaware 2007.) :D

[Stigart]

Yeah, I just installed the 2007-version today. Cant' update it though. Dang!

Thanks anyways, people... :)