Problem with Internet connection using IE7 and Windows Vista

Question

Hi all,   I am not sure if I'm on the right forum, but I need someone's help, please....   I just bought a new XPS420 with Windows Vista Home Premium and IE7 already installed.  The first 2-3 days, internet was working fine.  Now, everytime I open IE7, I get a message about connection not found or something like that.  I've done some research and some forums suggest to reset IE7 using Tools/Internet Options/Advanced.  That worked....but only temporarily.   After I turned off my computer and turned it back on later in the day, open up IE7, it's not working again.  If I turn off the modem, it doesn't work.  If I do a reset as mentioned above, it would work again.   I finally called AT&T Tech support, but they could not diagnose the problem.  While we were on the phone, and trying to open and close IE7, lo and behold, I got connected.  So to test, I turned off the computer and turned it back on, and of course, internet explorer did not work.  The AT&T guy had me open up system info to check the network properties and everything says 'this device is working properly'.   He also suggested to disable my anti-virus program (I have MacAfee preinstalled), which i was very hesitant to make. So before disabling MacAfee, I tried IE again and it worked, so I was happy.  I closed the browser and opened again and it was working; turned off the computer and turned it back on and the browser was not working.  I lost count already how many times I had to do this!   When I click on diagnose the problem, I got a message about DNS xxx.xxx.x.xx. not responding, that the server pinged the remote host but did not get a respond.  Upon hearing this, the rep said that it must have something to do with Vista and that perhaps the OS wasn't installed properly and he suggested that I contact the place where I bought my computer and have them reinstall it.   He also asked me to install Firefox as another alternative.  When I did, it was working.  But so was IE7...at the time.  I couldn't afford to turn off my computer again because I was already very late for work, but I guess I will find out later. But perhaps  I have to use Firefox if IE does not work.  I haven't really tested that. The thing with Firefox is, it's not compatible with our work applications and the web pages I am trying to access (I tried one before I left)a t work don't look the same and hard to navigate. And it doesn't show 'Protected On' on the lower right hand side of the browser the same way it shows on IE.   Sorry for the long winded post, but I also needed to vent.  Could the resolution really be as simple as disabling the anti-virus?  But then, how do we get protected?   Please help!!!  I am so desperate for a solution.  My Mom also uses that computer to access her work files.    Thanks,Remms

dallascowboyswo · Answer

Yes it could be your antivirus/firewall. I would suggest you call the mfr and ask them to help you set it up correctly. You need to setup network as trusted underneath your firewall so it does not block your connection.

dallascowboysworldchamps
__________________________

Inspiron E1505
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB/2.00GHz/667MHz)
15.4 Inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WSXGA+
4GB, DDR2, 667MHz Crucial Memory
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW Philips Drive
Dell Wireless 1500 802.11N Mini Card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR)
Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64 bit
Bios A17
pur. Sept. 7 2006
WRT350N Linksys Router v1 firmware v1.03.7
FreeAgent 320gb Seagate Ext. HD
Kaspersky Internet Security v 8.0.0.454

Remms · Answer

Thanks! It was indeed the firewall. I had Windows Firewall AND McAfee firewall on at the same time. I disabled Windows Firewall and it's now working fine! The McAfee is also set as "Trusting".

Remms

XPS420

Intel Core2 Quad

3G SDRAM

320G Hard drive

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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