all of sudden i cannot connect to either yahoo messenger or msn messenger.. this happened after i used ad-ware. i removed the program files on both messengers and re-installed again, ( in case the files got corrupted)still ,when i tried to connect to msn messenger, it states it cannot detect internet connection( though i do have ie connection) and to yahoo it states error 25. did i mess up my connection when i used ad-ware?. if so how can i fix it?

Have yu tried System Restore?
Start> Program Files> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore
Pick a date just before it happened.

yes, tried it.. but it did not complete the system restore, as nothing has been changed.. . i used ad-watch, after which i noticed this problem.. did i change any register keys?. but if i did. then it would have been reversed in system restore right? well any ideas?

What kind of computer do you have? Sometimes if you have a dell you can do a PC Restore. Mind you this restores everything... and I mean everything to factory settings. If you do this, BACK-UP your programs/registry. If you don't have a Dell, try doing a spyware/antivirus scan. Sometimes doing this can fix the problem.

wait wait!! before you format for 1 small problem, please, try this app>>>>\
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/WinSock_X...nsockxpfix.html

and to finish it off, this one to clean out your temps and cache>>>>
http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/

the first one repairs some reg keys that got damaged after removing adware using adaware, the second i already explained. i use them regularly to patch up and clean up systems after major infections.
post back to let us know how you made out.

i went to quarantine of ad-aware and did restore on the items, so everything would be as before, nothing.. i then followed snapper's advise.. and still nothing.. i have a dell.. i just don't want to do a pc restore.. i don't want to take that chance.. any ideas?. p.s. what should my connections say in yahoo? i tried different connections, even no connections, still nada..

Assuming that you can use these two messengers from another computer, have you tried googling Yahoo.com and then logging into your yahoo account? Could it be that the shortcuts you are clicking on are corrupted?

problem solved.. i deactivated spy doctor and then connected the messenger via no proxies and it worked.. thanks for all your input