Hi,
I have a Windows 7, 64bit Sony VAIO laptop.
1) I first noticed a problem with Avast Internet Security - suddenly it was unable to update virus definitions because it was unable to connect to the internet. However my internet was working fine - I was able to browse the internet, etc.
2) Thinking this was a problem with Avast, I uninstalled it, and instead installed Norton Internet Security.
Alas, the same problem occurred again - Norton reported that it was unable to connect to the internet.
However, as before I was able to browse the internet in my browser as normal; there was clearly no internet connection problem.
So everyday I was having to update Norton definitions manually by downloading them from Norton's site.
3) Then, just yesterday something even stranger happened. I needed to reinstall Firefox (because I was having some Flash compatibility issues). I deleted to "Mozilla Firefox" folder from the Program Files in an attempt to do a clean reinstall, however, Firefox would not reinstall.
Internet Explorer also stopped working so I was left with no browser.
4) So, then I did a system restore to the time before Avast started playing up. It didn't solve the original Avast problem.
It did reinstall Firefox, but when I try to open it, I keep getting this error message: Couldn't load XPCOM.
I've tried to uninstall firefox to reinstall, but it won't let me uninstall. I tried installing it using the Firefox setup file, but it stays on the "downloading"/"wait a moment" page for hours.
5) Internet Explorer is still not working after the System restore.
(When I try to open IE, it tries to start google.com and then says can't load it and asks if web address www.google.com is correct -i.e. same message you get when you have no internet.)
6) Then I tried installing Chrome browser using the set up file: same problem - got an error message saying I'm not connected to the internet, and need to check my internet connection.
7) What is odd about all this: my internet connection is working fine. I tried using a different laptop and browsers were working fine with it.
Also, on my Sony VAIO there are certain programs that can connect fine to the internet:
a) MS Outlook is still receiving messages fine.
b) VLC media player installed an update.
So my PC IS accessing the web somehow - just not via a browser (and no antivirus programs can connect either).
I have also currently uninstalled Avast/Norton - so they are not getting in the way of the internet.
I'd really appreciate you help.
Thank you in advance!
Here are my PC's specifications:
Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 330 @ 2.13GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 3950 Mb
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145, 512 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 465977 MB, Free - 137299 MB;
Motherboard: Sony Corporation, VAIO
Antivirus: None
I have a Windows 7, 64bit Sony VAIO laptop.
1) I first noticed a problem with Avast Internet Security - suddenly it was unable to update virus definitions because it was unable to connect to the internet. However my internet was working fine - I was able to browse the internet, etc.
2) Thinking this was a problem with Avast, I uninstalled it, and instead installed Norton Internet Security.
Alas, the same problem occurred again - Norton reported that it was unable to connect to the internet.
However, as before I was able to browse the internet in my browser as normal; there was clearly no internet connection problem.
So everyday I was having to update Norton definitions manually by downloading them from Norton's site.
3) Then, just yesterday something even stranger happened. I needed to reinstall Firefox (because I was having some Flash compatibility issues). I deleted to "Mozilla Firefox" folder from the Program Files in an attempt to do a clean reinstall, however, Firefox would not reinstall.
Internet Explorer also stopped working so I was left with no browser.
4) So, then I did a system restore to the time before Avast started playing up. It didn't solve the original Avast problem.
It did reinstall Firefox, but when I try to open it, I keep getting this error message: Couldn't load XPCOM.
I've tried to uninstall firefox to reinstall, but it won't let me uninstall. I tried installing it using the Firefox setup file, but it stays on the "downloading"/"wait a moment" page for hours.
5) Internet Explorer is still not working after the System restore.
(When I try to open IE, it tries to start google.com and then says can't load it and asks if web address www.google.com is correct -i.e. same message you get when you have no internet.)
6) Then I tried installing Chrome browser using the set up file: same problem - got an error message saying I'm not connected to the internet, and need to check my internet connection.
7) What is odd about all this: my internet connection is working fine. I tried using a different laptop and browsers were working fine with it.
Also, on my Sony VAIO there are certain programs that can connect fine to the internet:
a) MS Outlook is still receiving messages fine.
b) VLC media player installed an update.
So my PC IS accessing the web somehow - just not via a browser (and no antivirus programs can connect either).
I have also currently uninstalled Avast/Norton - so they are not getting in the way of the internet.
I'd really appreciate you help.
Thank you in advance!
Here are my PC's specifications:
Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 330 @ 2.13GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 3950 Mb
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145, 512 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 465977 MB, Free - 137299 MB;
Motherboard: Sony Corporation, VAIO
Antivirus: None