AOL Explorer stole my Internet access and IE doesn't work

Question

One of my kids accepted the AOL explorer on my laptop.  Once installed it disabled IE and only AOL programs can access the Internet.  I uninstalled AOL Explorer (finally) but IE still doesn't work (AOL does).  When I run network diagnostics the Network adapters, DNS servers, Default Gateways, and DHCP servers are FAILED.    I tried to clear and refresh using IPCONFIG but this did not solve the problem.  AOL is useless in support but helped me to rebuild the AOL drivers.  This did not work.  I checked my OPTIONS in IE and they are correct.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Jplmj · Answer

You may have already done this but did you hit the reset button under tools/options/programs? This should reset IE back to the original set up. Also if you check the "should IE check" button so that when ever you lauch IE it has to check to see that it is the default.

Also please define what you mean about IE doesn't work. What happens when you try to launch the program?

If it doesn't function at all you can repair it by going to add remove programs, windows components, and "uninstall" IE. It will then give you the option to repair it.

Hope this helps.

Joe L.

BBraxton · Answer

If AOL runs and makes the connection, cannot you simply minimize it and then just run any other browser of your choice? FireFox Bon Echo alpha 2 Maxthon Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview

chrispooley · Answer

Thanks for your comments. I tried all of these things. IE still comes up UNABLE TO FIND PAGE. The weird thing is that an answers.com program populates with new information daily and AOL works so i know the computer can access the web.

Even weirder, while running network diagnostics in the Control Panel I get FAILED for Network Adapters. I cannot understand how these can fail yet the laptop can still access the web through AOL and receipt of data for Answers.com.

this one has me baffled. Any help is greatly appreciated.

BBraxton · Answer

What happens when you boot into Safe Mode? How about running MSConfig and doing the next start in diagnostic mode. Are you able in MSConfig to turn off anything to do with AOL (selectively) ?

chrispooley · Answer

Thanks for your help, Logic says yes and I tried several browsers.  Nothing but AOL applications work.  It is weird.

chrispooley · Answer

I did shut off everything AOL in MSConfig and cleared the IP addresses and refreshed them. Since the computer can communicate to the Web thru AOL products and there is a FAILED error when I run a network diagnostic I believe that there is some malware that has infected the laptop. After spending several hours for each of the last few days on this mess I finally took it to a friend who runs a repair service. I will get a diagnostic tomorrow or Wednesday and post the results.

This one really buffaloed me.

thanks for your help!

Jplmj · Answer

Ok , then your IE isn't seeing the network at all. I would uninstall the AOL adapter completely. Delete the WANminiport from your network devices/protocols. The aol adapter is looking and thinking like it's the only connection you have and that's a vpn, which means you can't run other vpn's like Netmeeting and such. Go to add/remove programs, and pull out everything that is aol. Then go into msconfig and uncheck any remaining aol apps that may be loading again.

You'll also want to delete all your network connections again completely, then let the system redect your network by launching IE, it should come up with the connection wizzard. Run that through and you should be fine.

Also in IE options, check your lan settings, and make sure you check automatic detection.

Good Luck.

Joe L

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

AOL Explorer stole my Internet access and IE doesn't work

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