Hello:

I have a Dell XPS laptop that runs Windows XP. For the last 2 years no problems at all. I am on a Time Warner cable modem and my desktop has a router that sends an excellent signal to my laptop.

I was on vacation last week in Disney (Orlando) and my hotel had a wireless connection that I used when I was there. A Microsoft Update came through for SP3 when we were there and the download began but I'm not sure if it ever went through since I was never asked to restart and there was never any confirmation of the install. In fact, this morning I went to Microsoft and the SP3 was still available and it downloaded and installed completely this AM. I had hoped that this would solve the problem but nothing has changed.

Anyway, my internet connection is HORRIBLE. It takes forever to view a web page (that's if it doesn't just time out completely). I use Internet Explorer 6.0. Also, I use Outlook Express (6.0) for my e-mail and I can receive e-mail, but it won't let me SEND it.

Everything else on the computer seems to work normally.

I have run Spybot Search and Destroy and Adware 6 and they found only a few minor things but even after this, same problem. I tried using System Restore back to a date before my troubles began and no dice. I also run Spyware Guard at all times. I ran my McAfee antivirus stuff (which is updated daily) and it finds absolutely nothing.


I incorrectly posted this in the wrong forum and was told to post it here. I was also told to post a link to that forum so as to avoid duplicating it here. Here is the link to what has been tried already:

http://forums.whatthetech.com/Internet_Exl...ems_t94551.html

It appears that my SP3 installation did not take (please see linked post). Could this incomplete/faulty SP3 install have caused this?

I have since downloaded and tried the Winsock repair tool and LSP fix tool without sucess.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Hi, Sorry to hear of the problems with your machine.
Lets deal with the Outlook Express issue first and see if we can get your system to send emails.

When you used a wireless connection, whilst on holiday to send and receive email, you probably had to alter your smpt server to that used by the hotel.......Now you are back home it may need to be configured with your own ISP's server.....Heres what to do:

1 Open Outlook Express
2 Click on Tools
3 Click on Accounts
4 Click on the mail tab (across the top)
5 In the white box you should see your ISP connection...make sure its highlighted (usually blue) and :
6 Click on Properties
7 Click on Servers and make sure that your smtp. server is the one for your ISP and not the one for hotel's ISP

Example my own ISP is: Tiscali.co.uk
so my POP server (for incoming mail) would be:
pop.tiscali.co.uk
and my smtp server for outgoing mail would be:
smtp.tiscali.co.uk
You will need to phone your ISP and ask them to confirm the pop and smtp servers for your particular ISP

If your ISP was for example
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
then maybe you could speak with the IT dept and get them to confirm your settings for the pop server and smtp server.
After you have entered the correct settings, OK your way out and see if you can now send emails....send one to yourself as a test!

8 two further questions for you, do you use a Juniper modem/router/gateway to connect to the Internet? If not how do you connect, and what equipment do you use (make and model no. please?
9 Do you tunnel into your computer system at work from your home computer using a VPN?
Let us know how you go
Regards
paws

Thanks so much for your fast reply.

As instructed to try in the other thread, I tried rebooting to safemode with networking and nothing is different. Still the same problems.

I looked at my smtp and pop settings and they are all OK and weren't changed when I was on the hotel's wireless connection.

I have discovered that it isn't that I cannot send e-mail at all. Instead, it just takes a really long time for it to send. The outgoing mail sits in the Outbox for a long time and is eventually sent. I suppose this is just a function of my overall poor internet function.

My wired computer and two other computers that are wireless and get their signal from a router from my wired desktop, all run fine. It is just this laptop.

I only use the VPN to connect into the hospital's x-ray files. I am a physician and this allows me to view films from home. I don't use it for anything other than that and this is infrequently. I am on a TIme Warner Cable Modem at home. This is wired to my desktop which is functioning fine.

This all seems to have started when Windows Update tried to install SP3 when i was in Orlando. It doesn't appear that the install was sucessful. However, there IS something new on my desktop since this installation. There is something called "Search Desktop" on the bottom right of my task bar just to the left of my clock and icons. It has a little magnifying glass next to it. Not sure what this is all about.

Hi,
OK,
1 Can you please go to "My Computer" and right click on it, select "Properties" and tell me if Service Pack 3 is installed.
2 Next go to Start
3 Click on Run
4 Type in the white box
sfc /scannow
NOTE the space between the "c" and the "/" is essential
5 Click on OK

Note System File Checker will now run and check all protected Windows System Files to ensure that they are undamaged, in the correct place and that none are missing. SFC will automatically correct problems it finds, copying over good undamaged copies of protected system files from other parts of your computer if necessary. If SFC cannot find undamaged files for copying over then it may ask you to insert your Microsoft Windows Installation disc, so to be sure to have one handy and make sure it's the correct version and with the correct Service Pack level. SFC will then copy required files to the dll cache. The scan will usually take around 20 minutes or so, and you should run it twice in succession with a close down and restart in between.

6 Can you please check your settings* on this laptop with your known working well one.......its tedious but may work out quicker in the long run!
*Start>Control Panel>Internet Options.........have the machines side by side (a notepad and pencil handy) and scrutinise all settings, looking for inconsistencies between the two.

6(a) Open Outlook Express

• Click on Tools
• Click on Accounts
• Click on the mail tab (across the top)
• In the white box you should see your ISP connection...make sure its highlighted (usually blue) and :
• Click on Properties
• Click on Connections(tab) and ensure there is a tick/checkmark in "Always connect..." and that:
• Local Area Network
• is shown in the white box
• Ok your way out as necessary

7 If you are using the laptop to connect to your router wirelessly then please:
8 Assuming you are using a router (if not please stop here and report back) then please go to:
Start>Control Panel>Network Connections....your LAN should be shown/set to "connected" or "enabled" (Generally you should only have one enabled connection , but for this you can ignore the 1394 (Firewire) connection as this does not interfere with things.)
Right click on this (Lan) connection
Click on Properties
Scroll to Internet Protocol TCP/IP and highlight it and click on Properties
ensure that there is a dot in the radio buttons labelled:
obtain an IP address auto..... and
obtain DNS server address auto......
Click OK

9 Still in Control Panel go to:
Internet Options
Click on the Connections Tab
ensure there is a dot in the radio button "Never dial a connection"
OK your way out and now close down your computer

10 Now power cycle your router/modem, as set out below:

• Shut down your system
• Unplug the power cable from your modem
• Unplug your power cable from your router
• Keep them unplugged for about 3 or 4 minutes, this will clear out the junk and let them reset themselves.
• Plug the power cable for the modem back in and make sure all the lights come on
• Plug the power to your router back in and wait until all the lights come on.
• Boot up your system and check your internet connection.

11 Next open a command prompt
Start>Run
type in the white box
cmd
Click OK
at the command prompt type the following commands hitting enter after each one
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushDNS
this is a relatively quick procedure...
finally at the command prompt type
ipconfig /all
and hit enter
please copy the output into your reply as this will help us determine the next steps.
type at the command prompt:
exit
and hitting enter will close down the command window and return you to your normal Windows screens
Regards
paws
PS before trying to install SP3 did you have a chance to have a look here?:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
see particularly under "More Information" and removing "Remote Desktop connection etc also the importance of not having antivirus running during the install, as thsi can prevent some system files being replaced with the newer versions.

This post has been edited by paws: Aug 21 2008, 02:48 AM

Unfortunately, I already installed SP3 last night. I used the .EXE link that the tech in the other forum referred me to. I did it in Safe Mode with Networking. Surprisingly, this 326 MB download went just fine in about 20 minutes! I still couldn't get my regular internet to function in this mode however. Not sure how this was possible?

My home page loads (very slowly) when I bring up IE but when I click on any link or try one of my Favorites, it hangs up and won't load at all. It either stays there indefinitely, or I get an error page telling me the page may not be available.

When I installed SP3, my McAfee antivirus was on, but I didn't have any trouble whatsoever installing it. Everything went smoothly. I checked this AM and I do indeed have SP3 on the laptop now. My problem remains the same though.

My questions are at this point:

-Should I uninstall SP3 and start over as you said above, or since the install went fine, should I leave it alone?

-In number 8 above, I assume you mean to check these things on the laptop? If so, I have the 1394, one called LAN that is disabled, another called LAN2 that is disabled, and one called Wireless Connection that is enabled. Is this correct? Which of these do I look into to see about TCP/IP Properties?

-In step number 11 in your last post, do I do that on my wired desktop where the modem is or do I do it on my problem laptop?

Again, I thank you SO VERY MUCH for your help. I know how time consuming this must be for you and I truly appreciate it!

I will try all of your suggestions from your previous post as soon as I get back from work today.

Again, Thank you!

This post has been edited by Dr Bonz: Aug 21 2008, 05:28 AM

I just tried to run the sfc /scannow before I left for work and as you said, it asked for a disk.
It said: Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced by unrecognized versions. To maintain system stabilitly, Windows must restore the original versions of these files. Insert your Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 CD now.

Since I downloaded this SP3 from this site: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en as per the recommendation of the tech in the other forum, I do not have such a disk.

What should I do now? Uninstall the SP3?

The thing that confuses me is that it seems to be ONLY my laptop with this problem. All the other computers that receive a wireless signal from my router that is hooked up to my wired desktop, seem to be working just fine. My wireless signal is excellent, even on my problem laptop.

This post has been edited by Dr Bonz: Aug 21 2008, 05:35 AM

Hi, Ok ,I understand,
1 As regards steps 8 and 11, these should be performed please on the "troublesome" laptop
2 It looks as though your install of SP3 imay have nvolved some damaged or corrupted files.....
3 You can try to run SFC (On the troublesome laptop) and if it asks for the disc to be inserted, insert the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 disc and see if it works
4 If no joy with this then its probably best to uninstall SP3 altogether....here's the link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
5 however there are some alternatives, its very easy to create a Microsoft XP installation disc with Service Pack slipstreamed in to it, heres the link for this,
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/index.html
6 On the assumption that you are connecting to the internet on the "troublesome laptop" wirelessly then for step 8 you will need to highlight your "wireless connection" and ensure it is set to "enabled" and or "connected"
Good luck with the rest of the steps
Regards
paws

Well, I did everything listed above and while it seemed to make things a little better, the connection is still extremely slow.

I then uninstalled SP3 and I am back to SP2 now. I again ran sfc /scannow and it ran through a lot longer than when i had SP3 but still at the end of the 20 min. scan, it again asked me for a disk so it could copy files to the dll cache.

I inserted my Windows XP disk in and it said that it was the wrong disk.

I have since downloaded the Media edition of XP and have most if not all of the updates installed including SP2. This disk still had the plastic wrapped on it as I have never had to use it. It is simply Windows XP Home edition and obviously is outdated in relation to what I have on the laptop now.

Where do I go from here?

Can you explain in more detail exactly what I have to do to make an install disk?

i.e this link: http://www.nliteos.com/guide/index.html

Can you provide a link to the downloadable Media Center please? As far as I'm aware of, Media Center or any version of Windows is not available via download. I'd like to check this out before proceeding. Thanks

I thought that the computer came with it but maybe I am remembering it wrong. The disk I have just says XP but maybe that was for one of my other computers.

Let me look futhrer

You said "I have since downloaded the Media edition of XP". That set off all kinds of alarm bells in my head as we don't provide support for illegal copies of Windows, and you can't legally download any version of Windows.

Sounds like this is not a problem, just semantics. Will wait to make sure, then continue working on this with the other techs here.

Fascinating problem (easy for me to say when it's not my computer, I know )

No, nothing like that. I think that's just what they call OS that I have on my laptop. When I look at my version of Windows (Control Panel, System Properties general tab) it says: Microsoft Windows XP then it says Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2. Definitely nothing illegally downloaded or installed

I took another look at the Add Remove Programs window with Show Updates checked and it shows a million Windows Security Updates and Hotfixes. I got this laptop in 2005 and they are dated from then up until as recently as this past week (8/20/08) In fact, there are about 14 security updates installed on that date. I think that was the day I downloaded SP3 so they must have been a part of that update.

At the bottom of the list is says: Update Rollup for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. It was installed on 8/16/08. It is the only thing on this list that says Media Center though.

My troubles with this laptop began on or about 8/7/08 when I was in Orlando and connected to the wireless connection at the condo and Windows attempted to download SP3 (unsucessfully).

I don't know if ANY of this matters to you as far as fixing my problem, but I just wanted to throw it out there.

Thanks.

Edit: I just went back and read what I wrote that sent off the alarms. I can see what you mean. Since my installation disk only said XP, I at first incorrectly assumed that the "Media Center" part was simply one of the updates to Windows Media Center (as in 7.0, 8.0, 10.0 etc). There are a lot of them in the Add Remove Programs list. I'm sorry to have raised any doubt but I can assure you that I have NEVER downloaded anything illegal (at least not knowingly). I truly hope you believe me and I really do need your help fixing this computer since it is the one I use for work.

This post has been edited by Dr Bonz: Aug 23 2008, 06:05 AM

Many thanks for the clarification. All is well and we'll continue to work on solving this problem,

Well, I did everything listed above and while it seemed to make things a little better, the connection is still extremely slow.

I then uninstalled SP3 and I am back to SP2 now. I again ran sfc /scannow and it ran through a lot longer than when i had SP3 but still at the end of the 20 min. scan, it again asked me for a disk so it could copy files to the dll cache.

I inserted my Windows XP disk in and it said that it was the wrong disk.

Can you explain in more detail exactly what I have to do to make an install disk?

i.e this link: http://www.nliteos.com/guide/index.html



I haven't done this yet. Should I try it? Can you give me a step by step?

Thanks!

This post has been edited by Dr Bonz: Aug 24 2008, 06:26 AM

Paws? ZTruker? Anyone out there?

Now I am really confused. I still cannot get any connection on my laptop.

I FINALLY found my Window XP Media Center Edition 2005 installation DVD but on the disk it says: Only use this DVD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell Computer (which of course mine is). It then says: This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.

When I run sfc /scannow it goes through the 20 min. or so scan then it tells me: Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL cache.

It THEN says: Insert your Windows XP CD2 now. I put in the DVD that I described above and hit Retry and nothing happens. i just get the same messege about DLL cache.

HELP!!!!!