BleepingComputer.com: Programs cannot connect to server

I have been having an issue for a few weeks now. I think the problem arose when I got rid of some spyware through Super Anti-Spyware. I used to be able to use stamps.com, firefox, java, etc. Now all of my updaters like Java update, AVG update, or other programs that need to connect through my server cannot connect. I tried to download Firefox, thinking it might be a safer browser. It cannot connect, either. Something is blocking me. I have turned on and off firewalls, anti-viruses, uninstalled everything not essential, screwed with the registry and tried to open ports, just based on what I have read on forums these past few weeks. I do have regular Internet access. Can we start from the beginning and someone tell me what on earth is going on with my network?

<<...other programs that need to connect through my server...>>

What other programs, please?

Can you get to Windows Update?

Have you checked Event Viewer for possible clues?

How To Use Event Viewer - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic40108.html

What error messages do you receive when trying to connect?

Have you tried removing java...and installing the most recent update? http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Louis

1. Stamps.com is giving me an error saying stamps.com cannot connect to the server at this time. The encidio software says basically the same thing.

2.When trying to download and run Firefox, I get a "cannot connect to server" error which tells me to check my settings. (I did--nothing is checked.)

3. Java has been uninstalled and reinstalled three times now, with older versions being removed. I get numerous errors, mostly ClassNotFound... The java virtual machine test online will not run--I get an error there, too. Java updater cannot connect to server. It tells me to check my proxy settings, too.

4. I can get to Windows update. As a side note, I cannot connect to the internet after IE 7's latest critical security update, so I have to keep uninstalling it every time it automatically updates.

5. Event viewer--I am not sure what any of this means. I ran it, but I have no idea when this problem started. I don't think it has been more than 2 weeks, but it feels like forever. I have been on the phone with router tach support, tried to open ports, messed aorund in the registry--all trying to follow instructions I really don't understand based on other people having similar problems, but nothing seems to work. the log files are too long to paste, so I will attach them


I have just tried to install avast and got an error:

10.11.2009 11:14:46 general: Started: 10.11.2009, 11:14:46
10.11.2009 11:14:46 system: Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
10.11.2009 11:14:46 system: Memory: 64% load. Phys:162876/458220K free, Page:1560476/1772112K free, Virt:2071456/2097024K free
10.11.2009 11:14:46 system: Computer WinName: LAZARUS
10.11.2009 11:14:46 system: Windows Net User: LAZARUS\Owner
10.11.2009 11:14:46 general: Old version: ffffffff (-1)
10.11.2009 11:14:46 system: Using temp: C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\_av_inet.tm~a02176 (125897M free)
10.11.2009 11:14:46 internet: SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.11.2009 11:14:46 internet: SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.11.2009 11:14:46 general: Install check: Program folder does NOT exist in registry
10.11.2009 11:14:46 general: SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 0
10.11.2009 11:14:52 internet: SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.11.2009 11:14:52 internet: SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.11.2009 11:14:52 general: progress thread start
10.11.2009 11:14:52 general: Destination: C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\_av_inet.tm~a02176
10.11.2009 11:14:52 general: Starting download: http://www.avast.com/go.php?verb=get-avast...&langid=eng
10.11.2009 11:14:52 internet: ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EFD
10.11.2009 11:14:53 general: Download finished from server www.avast.com, result: 0x20000004, server response: 12029
10.11.2009 11:14:53 general: Stats www.avast.com, server response: 536870916
10.11.2009 11:14:53 general: POST result: 0x20000004, server response:


Here are some other files from OTL,and rootrepeal, as well attached

Is email working properly?

FWIW: I just connected to stamps.com and I have no idea what encidio software might be. You have tried to browse to these websites, right...rather than using shortcuts on your system?

Well...I would do two things:

a. Install IE8. My standard thing when a program doesn't function correctly is uninstall/reinstall...but I would update to IE8 in this case (it's easier).

b. Setup my Internet connection anew, using the XP connection wizard.

Louis

Yes, I can get tot he websites. When I go to stamps.com, and log in, to print shipping labels, it needs to connect me, and it gets an error connecting to server. Encidio is like stamps.com. I download it when stamps.com was giving me trouble, but the same thing happens.

I can try IE8, but last time I did I could not connect to the internet at all.

I will first try to reset up the internet connection, and see what happens.

The basic logic...if you cannot access a website via a program/shortcut...but you can access it by surfing, then it's probably the program. Uninstall/reinstall routine prevails.

If you have multiple programs that produce the same symptoms...then it's probably the settings on your system or IE...or a related service. Rather than try to troubleshoot a large number (IMO) of variables...it's easier to just set the connection up anew...and update the browser.

Louis

FWIW: You seem to have other problems, http://www.microsoft.com/technet/support/e...v&LCID=1033

As a test, I suggest creating a new user and seeing how that user profile is able to access/connect to the sites mentioned, using said programs.

May be useful: Copy Data from a Corrupted User Profile to a New Profile in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151

It is not a website I am trying to connect to. It is software for printing labels. You cannot print labels from the website--you have to use the software. I downloaded IE8, but it would not display the webpages, despite being connected to the internet. I reset my router, tried to set up a new network connection, but all windows would tell me is that my braodband connection was already configured. The troubleshooter finds no problems with it. This is not a stamps.com software issue--this is happening any time a program needs to connect to the server--AVG, Java, stamps, firefox, anything.

btw, I had already looked at the second link about the ntuser.dat file. It says I should replace it with a backup copy, but it doesn't give instructions on how to do that. Can you tell me?

I tried the new user profile in Windows XP. That didn't work. i am going to microsoft to try to figure out how to replace the corrupt ntuser.dat file

I cannot find instructions on this. the topics that discuss this are not understandable to me. Any easy step by step instructions?

The instructions are all in the MSKB article I previously linked to.

Louis

Which article--the first or the second? the second one was how to create a new profile. i did that. It didn't work. the programs won't run under the new profile either. The first one about event ID 1500 just tells youwhat to do--there are no links to HOW to do it.

The first link was only for info, to give an idea of what may be going wrong...it's the second link that's important and it give specific instructions on how to do what is suggested.

If that doesn't work for your situation...sorry, but that was my best guess.

Louis

okay. well... do you know anything about opening ports 80 and 443?

No, I'm not into that kind of detail...but we have a networking forum where someone can probably answer (or at least attempt to answer) your questions about such matters.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum21.html

Louis