Help - I can't access Microsoft websites

[tubbystu]

I've just done a system restore and now I cannot access M/Soft websites to get updates. It started because I couldn't get updates for Mcafee security and now I can't get windows updates.

I'm running XP home (build 5.1) on a pentium 4 with 2gb ADSL. Currently only software on machine is what comes off the Sys restore discs minus Works 7.

Any ideas ?

Cheers

Stuart

[aranell]

What do you mean by you can't access the websites? Can you get to any websites (like yahoo)? Are you being directed to a random website instead of the one you want? Are you getting an error message/white error message screen?

Without more info, it's hard to tell...

- A

[tycho]

Do you have a hookey copy of Windows?

If it is just the MS update website, they check the product key and if it has been blacklisted, you cannot get updates. There are ways around this but you'll have to google them as I have a legit copy (a 1st for me!!!!)

[tubbystu]

I have a pukka copy of XP - it came with the PC, albeit a couple of years ago.

I can access most websites, but not Microsoft of any kind through IE. I have now loaded AOL and can access Microsoft webiste through that, but not update. I get an error message alleging my proxy settings are incorrect.

Is it possible that the XP software is now out of date - it may not have SP1, and therfore is unrecognised by Microsoft ?

Do I need a newer version of XP ? Perhaps I should bite the bullet and get a new tower ?

Thanks for your help.

[pdV6]

tubbystu said:

I get an error message alleging my proxy settings are incorrect.

In IE, have a look at Tools-->Internet Options-->Connections-->LAN Settings and see what the Proxy settings are set to, if anything.

[slinky]

I'd be inclined to say that something viral has loaded up your hosts/lmhosts files with crap..

Quite common with viruses these days, try getting to some of the major AV website and see if you can get there...

Unless you have a network in your house and rely on hosts lookups, go and open the following files with notepad...

c: windows system32 drivers etc hosts
c: windows system32 drivers etc lmhosts

Remove all of the entries apart from localhost from these files...

Then try the MS site...

I don't think you'll be able to get to windows update via AOL, which is most probably why you are getting the proxy error message...

When you've done that, go to google, search for trend housecall and run their online AV scanner...

HTH,

slinky
587racing.com

[tubbystu]

slinky said:

I'd be inclined to say that something viral has loaded up your hosts/lmhosts files with crap.. Quite common with viruses these days, try getting to some of the major AV website and see if you can get there... Unless you have a network in your house and rely on hosts lookups, go and open the following files with notepad... c: windows system32 drivers etc hosts c: windows system32 drivers etc lmhosts Remove all of the entries apart from localhost from these files... Then try the MS site... I don't think you'll be able to get to windows update via AOL, which is most probably why you are getting the proxy error message... When you've done that, go to google, search for trend housecall and run their online AV scanner... HTH, slinky 587racing.com

I've kind of done most of that. I assumed I'd caught something viral which is what started the full system restore - and wiping of hard-drive - option. I have run PC Doctor or something similiar which found some registry issues but nothing that it couldn't repair.

I guess its new PC time ?

[slinky]

Most viruses are now capable of residing in system restore partitions as well, so on restoring your data, you restore the virus too...

Fdisk it and start again... it'll be fine

slinky

[aranell]

If you don't want to wipe your hard disk yet, there are places you can look in your registry where stuff likes this *usually* resides. If you don't want to fdisk and you don't mind playing with your registry, drop me an email (via my profile) and I can talk you through it

- A

[TheExcession]

slinky said:

Fdisk it and start again... it'll be fine

I dunno why but that phrase just left me in stitches.... something to do with hearing it in my head being said by Edward of League Of Gentlemen fame.

"Don't worry Tubs - it'll be fine!"

'Fdisk it and start again...' - I never read that in a Linux forum that's for sure.

[slinky]

If it was a linux box, this would be a different story tho!

But I'm not going to get into the linux vs windows argument!

slinky

[ErnestM]

HOLD ON A SECOND....

Microsoft implemented a "genuine Windows advantage" check of everyone's system recently before allowing access to Windows Update sites. You may have issues with the system restore taking the system back prior to the "advantage check" or even prior to activation. If your copy of Windows is genuine, your best bet is to try reactivating it and then attempting to load the "advantage check" from Microsoft. You may have to contact Microsoft to do this...

ErnestM

[TheExcession]

slinky said:

But I'm not going to get into the linux vs windows argument!

No argument required or intended, just laffing at the fact that fdisk is such a low level fix for a "I can't access Microsoft Websites" problem.

I mean, common it's really piss funny! Imagine "My car won't start what should I do?" - Answer - "Go mine some new iron ore, make a heap of steel, cast/weld/turn/mill it into the shape of a new car, stick a bit of petrol in it and see if that helps...."

[slinky]

Oh, I know... it's ridiculous...

I work in IT support, and the amount of times we just have to rip a PC to pieces and start again is insane....

slinky

[TheExcession]

ErnestM said:

HOLD ON A SECOND.... Microsoft implemented a "genuine Windows advantage" check of everyone's system recently before allowing access to Windows Update sites. You may have issues with the system restore taking the system back prior to the "advantage check" or even prior to activation. If your copy of Windows is genuine, your best bet is to try reactivating it and then attempting to load the "advantage check" from Microsoft. You may have to contact Microsoft to do this... ErnestM

HOLD ON ANOTHER SECOND....

So do Microsfot now silently discard any errors they detect?

I mean, what happened to sending a message back to the User stating 'You version of our operating system is a little bit suspect, we think you may be running an illegal copy, contact us immediately at this number - your machine is not safe from all the viruses and DRM Root kits that are slipping through our poorly written code. We really want to help you ensure that everything is OK.

But instead nothing?

[tubbystu]

All sorted.

Reinstallation of wireless router with firmware update and it all works - no I don't understand either but then I'm only a humble video engineer...........

Thanks for all your input, off back to TVR forums now.

Cheers,

Stuart