Hey guys. Not a single program on my computer will connect to the Internet. The only thing that will connect is web browsers. Things like AIM, Skype, Y! Messenger, and Limewire won't connect no matter what I do. I've searched high and low over the Internets, and I get the same answer. Everyone says it's my Firewall. It's not. I've disabled the firewall, made sure all those programs were allowed to connect, and everything. It's nothing with my Internet because my desktop works fine. This is just an issue with my laptop. I use it more because I like to watch cable on my big ass HDTV while surfing the web. Its OS is Windows XP.

Any ideas? This is killing me. I'm very tech savvy and I can usually figure out whats wrong with my computer and fix it in minutes, but this has me stumped. It's probably something really simple and I'm just over analyzing the problem.

Thanks in advance for any help!

You did read the part where I mentioned I'm very tech savvy, right?

Run a virus scan. Then defrag and disk clean up in safe mode (with or without networking)

^ I haven't defragged. That was next on my list. I have run a scan and it's clean.

Divergent, I dunno how you'd think that given what I just said. Yes, I've done everything imaginable and more. I've even checked msconfig and cmd settings. I've skipped windows and used DOS commands to check and edit settings. Nothing's working.

After the defrag, while in safemode with networking, see if you can connect. If you can connect check your firewall settings, if the settings are correct... there's a possibility that there's a virus of some sort preventing you from connecting your other programs.


The only other thing I can think of is that you're on a wireless connection and it's getting limited.

ok. I'm defragging it now in SafeMode. I'm on my iPhone right now. How could my wireless be limited? I've checked the settings several times and this is my own wireless connection so I set it up. It's not limited as far as I know.

Wireless connections are funny like that. There's many reasons that it would cause it to limit the connectivity, a radio, cellphone, microwave, etc.. Remember to run Windows in "Safe Mode with Networking". We want to test the programs to make sure they're able to connect to the internet in this mode.

For some reason I have a feeling it's gonna be your wireless connection but what's odd is that the browser is letting you connect without a problem. Another thing you should try is try to connect with the programs but leave the internet browser closed. Do not surf the internet when tryin to connect your programs. This is a way to test if your connectivity is getting limited. Because sometimes only 1 program can go online while the others don't get sufficient bandwidth/connectivity to connect to the internet.

Yeah it's in safe mode. I'm sure I've run programs while the browser wasn't open. Skype comes up as soon as my computer starts and attempts to connect bit it's still not able to.

Defrag is at 37% so I'll let you know when it's done. Ima go play some Xbox Live for now.

edit: Defrag didn't change a thing. I don't think I can run programs in safe mode because for some odd reason my laptop connects through a software called Intel PROset Wireless, and I can't get it to connect when it's not enabled.

it may be because a program is OUT DATED...

Try installing the Newest Verison of IE and then try it.. if it doesnt work then type in your IP ADDRESS in the URL bar in IE or any internet program you use like this..


but replace those numbers with your IP..

if you dont know what your IP is, then go to CONTROL PANEL and there go to Network connections, and go to your 2nd Connection and double click.. GO TO SUPPORT and there it will show you EVERYTHING you need to know..

I've had this issue with three different computers running on Vista. Normally it just works itself out after a short while.

And it usually will only happen once, so once it starts working, it's not going to happen again.

Have you updated your computer?
In xp I believe you go here in ie.
Thats really all i can think of.

Someone's been watching too many pron

Tried reinstalling any of the programmes to see if they were infected and went faulty?

Too many pron is not correct grammar. Even if pron was a word, it wouldn't be right.