Weird...

[madamesilverspurs]

For the last three days everytime I've turned on my laptop and connected to the net, it's opened with the "work offline" tool selected first with a red X and then, after clicking the X off, with a checkmark. It takes two or three times to clear it so that I can connect; this morning none of that worked. I'd saved a webpage in the tray, so I opened that after saving the address and was able to navigate from there. Any ideas of what's going on? Thanks for any help!

(toshiba satellite L305-S5894 ; vista; dialup)

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[Dead_Parrot]

1. Sounds like it's got a bit scrambled...

You didn't mention which browser you are using, so I've assumed IE7 or 8. Two quick things to try:

-In the 'file' menu, check 'work offline' is unchecked (just in case...)

-Go to 'tools', and 'internet Options': On the 'advanced' tab, you should have buttons for "Reset" and "Restore advanced settings". Hit both, reboot & and see if it clears up, but post back if it doesn't.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Thanks for the response,

it's been a little nuts here or I would have gotten back to you sooner.

Browser is the Explorer that came loaded with Vista when I got the computer a year ago.

I did check the 'internet options' under tools,advanced -- it says "you should only use this if your browser is in an unusable state." I'm not at all clear on what that means, because 'unusable' suggests I shouldn't be able to get on line at all; so, I haven't reset anything yet.

Access is still through a page saved in the tray; conventional means still gets me the "working offline" bit, by the way.

So, do you think I should go ahead with the 'reset'?

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[Dead_Parrot]

3. Sorry, my turn to be away from the PC...

Sounds like it should be internet explorer 7: If you go to 'help' - 'about' if should give you a version number.

It's good job you didn't just hit it - I forgot to tell you to back up your favorites first (which is silly of me). So firstly:

- click 'Add to Favorites', then 'Import and Export' & 'next'
- Select 'Export Favorites', then 'Next'
- Select 'Favorites' then 'Next'
- Select the top level Favorites folder, and click Next

This will create a 'bookmarks.htm' in your documents folder: To re-import it, just select 'Import Favorites' instead of 'Export' in the wizard. If you use RSS feeds, you can back them up through the same wizard.

These resets shouldn't affect your dial-up settings, but it would be a good idea to make sure you've got them somewhere just in case...

OK, now you can hit the buttons. Try the 'reset' one first, and if that doesn't help try the 'restore' option.
And if that doesn't work, we're down to technical stuff. :scared:

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Okay, went there, did that.

It's IE8, by the way.

Followed your instructions and did both 'reset' and 'restore'.

The Explorer shortcut button used to take me through the connection process; now it only works if I first start in the tray at the internet icon, right click, choose connect to dialup service, click to dial -- once it shows that I'm connected, THEN the shortcut works to bring up the homepage. But it still shows 'work offline' checked and I have to click it off before proceeding. When I navigate to a different page the new page opens but also shows 'work offline' selected.

There's a brief message (when first connecting)that there is a software update from Toshiba that requires downloading; I usually wait until I'm at a wifi spot before doing that kind of thing, it tends to take several hours on dialup. I have no idea if that's related to my present dilemma or not.

In any case, I appreciate your help. And your patience.

[Dead_Parrot]

5. It's all good...

...I hate weird problems. :)

Next steps: check the settings from post #1 again and see if they'll start working properly.

Check your antivirus is up to date, and if possible run a different program as a fresh pair of eyes: I usually use the free version of MBAM for that.

Reboot, run through post #1 again, and see. You'll need to uninstall MBAM after the reboot, having two AVs can be a problem.

Next thing to try is re-setting winsock (a bit that handles network communications):
- Click 'Start', type "cmd" in the search box
- Right-click 'cmd.exe' and select 'run as administrator': This will get you the command prompt window.
- Type the mystic incantation "netsh winsock reset", and hit enter.

Reboot, run through post #1 again...

If still no joy, rest TCPIP (another bit)
- Click 'Start', type "cmd" in the search box
- Right-click 'cmd.exe' and select 'run as administrator': This will get you the command prompt window.
- Type the even more mystic "netsh int ip reset c:\ipresetlog.txt", and hit enter. This will also write a file of gibberish to your C: drive which I hope we don't need to look at. :)

post #1 rinse and repeat.

The next thing would be rolling back updates (see http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/thread/97f62fe2-300b-48c1-b091-07e3dcacf570 ) but as they'll need re-installing, preferably one by one or in small batches, I'm leaving till last - this is going to be a pain on dial up.

Fingers crossed... :)

[madamesilverspurs]

6. Again, thanks.

I'll try all this tomorrow. Presently using AVG Free anti-virus, it says there are no updates at this time, will try the MBAM. Hope it works because it looks like it will be Friday before I can get out to a wifi spot (it's snowing like crazy and is supposed to continue until tomorrow night). Very appreciative of your willingness to put directions in simple, easy-to-understand terms!

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[Dead_Parrot]

7. It's the only way I can understand them myself

;)

Edit to add: Come to think of it, try unistalling AVG as well. I don't see quite how it can affect the dial up seetings, but I don't see how it can stuff up a mouse either.
:shrug:
Something else for the hotspot, so you can put it straight back on...

[Why Syzygy]

8. In IE8 . did you

click "File" to see if "Work Offline" is checked? If it resets itself to work offline even after you unchecked it, there is probably a registry entry causing that.

http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=4068

[madamesilverspurs]

9. Rats. Ran MBAM, it found nothing.

So, no germs is a good thing BUT it means that I now have to get into stuff that hurts my brain.

I attempted your next set of instructions. Clicked 'start', typed cmd in the search box. . . that's where I'm getting stuck. Do I click 'enter'? Because 'cmd.exe' and the following selections don't show anywhere.

I did try 'enter' after typing 'cmd' in the search box - got a black window with white lettering showing my name as admin but nothing else, so I backed out of it.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah..............

[Dead_Parrot]

10. No, that sounds right

Sorry, I must have fluffed the directions a bit (and I don't have a vista PC to check on at the moment.) it should look like this:



Well,once you've typed the incantation, anyway. ;)

When you hit enter, you'll (hopefully) get a message "Successfully reset the winsock catalogue: Please restart the computer for changes to take effect" or somesuch, and you can reboot to see if it worked.

Edit: Illustrated instructions: http://www.udel.edu/topics/spyware/winsockfix.html

[madamesilverspurs]

11. FINALLY got to try this.

Didn't work. I'm still showing 'offline' status although I'm able to navigate; acts up when I try to open pictures, sometimes won't let me open some websites. I'm totally flummoxed at present.

Any ideas? I'm going to try to get to a wi-fi spot this weekend, would that make doing some repairs easier?

Thanks again!

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[Dead_Parrot]

12. I'm impressed...

...it me took years to work out how to get a computer that broken. ;)

The next thing would be to completely remove and re-install ie8, which you'll want to do on the good connection
- go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=79154fb4-c610-4a1e-811d-dfe0f1dd84d1&displaylang=en and download the installation file for ie8: save it somewhere easy like your desktop.
- go to http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ and download CCleaner. Run the install, let it update and do a scan on the registry, making a backup of any changes made (it will prompt you for this). This mainly to get the program updated and working before we start, but it's worth trying the web after this on the 100-1 chance it's fixed. :)

-Run through the bookmarks backup procedure again, just to be sure.

-go to "start" - "control panel" - "programs" - "Uninstall a program"
-in "Tasks", go to "Turn windows features on or off", and clear the tick next to ie8.
-click yes to the warning message.

This will remove ie8 and drop you back to ie7. Reboot, run CCleaner and clear the registry again, saving any changes: Try the web under ie7 and see if the problem is fixed or not. Reboot again, then run the ie8 installation program to re-install, agreeing to everything: You may need to re-import your settings if they get wiped.
Reboot. Cross fingers. try it...

If it does work, you'll probably have a bunch of updates to re-do which again are best done on a fast connection.

After that, we might be in trouble. If ie7 was doing the same thing, we can look at wiping your connection setting and reinstalling the modem. Otherwise, I was going to suggest rolling back updates as the next step, but the more I think about it the worse the idea sounds: The possibility of getting a really broken PC is disturbingly high, and I'd hate to be the one who caused it.

It would probably be quicker and easier to wipe the machine completely and reinstall windows (or recover, depending on what you have by way of CDs/recovery partitions) but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Unless anyone else has an idea, I'm about out of clever fixes. :(

[madamesilverspurs]

13. Another idea?

Just got this from someone who used to work in Redmond:

"You might be better off just installing and using a different browser. Firefox was recommended to me by a local geek and I have been happily using it for several years. It is free and can be downloaded here:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ They provide a useful help page for migrating from IE

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/For+Internet+Explorer+Users?style_mode=inproduct "


Should I try it?

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[Dead_Parrot]

14. We're certainly reaching the "give up and go around" point

...and adding firefox won't break ie8 (more than it is already, anyway): If you're not set on using IE it certainly worth a look.
If you got all the bandwidth you can eat for the weekend, you could also try Chrome or Opera: - Also free, and you can see which fits best with your tastes & habits.

[madamesilverspurs]

15. Still here, so is the annoyance.

I've been waiting to hear back from a family member who is well-acquainted with my limited comprehension with computer issues. She likes the idea of changing from IE as a means of resolving this; I'm hoping that my machine will hold out until she can take a looksee when I go visit next month. She has a highspeed connection, and between her and her son should be able to make the transition; such things scare the poo out of me, so I'm willing to wait. I will let you know how it turns out.

Again, my very great thanks!

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[Why Syzygy]

17. Do you have the google toolbar?

This thread is a guy who had the same issue which he eventually resolved by uninstalling the google toolbar.

Another option is to make sure in Internet properties (from IE tool bar) > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab > "Always dial my default connection". OR if you have broadband > Connections Tab > LAN Settings > "Automatically detect settings".


http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t193904-ie-always-wants-to-work-off-line.html


Aside: It has a funny.

Hello

All of a sudden IE won't dial-up and go on-line
I get the message
"No connection to the internet is currently available. To view
internet content that has been saved on your computer click work
offline"

It always drops into offline mode
Un checking 'work offline' doesn't help
I un-installed IE from add/remove, but even after it was re-built i'm
still having the same probs

Can anyone help please

Martin
©¿©¬

Martin ©¿©¬ wrote:

> All of a sudden IE won't dial-up and go on-line

Count your blessings. Finally, a secure IE.

--
Blinky Linux RU 4892F
http://linuxnotjustforgeeks.org
http://blinkynet.net


Blinky the Shark

[david13]

16. I have the Toshiba Qosmio and use Firefox. About a year ago,

I had that same issue. I have no idea if I solved it, or it went away. If I solved it, I have no recollection as to how.
Maybe I called Toshiba.
dc