My Internet is messed up

[RichieB16]

Ok, no matter what I do I can't seem to make a search work.  For the last week or so, I always get a HTTP 404 Not found message when I run a search from most search engines-i can't even get to google.com-it appareantly doesn't exist   .  Anyway, I have a cable internet and am hooked up through a router as are the rest of my families computers.  They all work fine, it's just mine thats all screwy so something is deffinately wrong with my system in some way.  The odd thing is that all my favorites/bookmarks work and if I know the exact address I can type that in and it works usually (like I said, I can't even get to the google page)-I just can't search.  Any idea why?

[ozzy72]

What are you using as a browser, Explorer?
I'd recommend a re-install of the browser, this normally fixes it. Failing that explain to the computer how you are going to reprogram it with a hammer if it doesn't start being a bit more co-operative

Mark

[deadnight]

My family use to have a computer that started doing that one day for no reason. It was also on cable internet.. The only explaination for it that I could think of is that it was a Compaq.  ;D The computer died a horrible death about a month later for unknown reasons. Now it's a pile of spare parts. So I never did figure out what the problem was.

The first thing I would try is uninstall/reinstall your cable modem. Completly reinstall the software for it. I'm guessing it is a problem with a settting in the router.. But that's just a guess. I don't know anymore about it.

[Paz]

The only explaination for it that I could think of is that it was a Compaq.

 I have 2 compaqs and both of them have served me quite well over the years.

[RichieB16]

I am using internet explorer so I'll try reinstalling that first.  I don't think that I have specific software for my cable modem because it is intregrated into my motherboard.  Maybe I should try and reinstall those drivers as well.

[RichieB16]

Before I reinstall IE, I figured it was a good idea to uninstall the one I have on the computer-to give it a clean place to start ya know.  Anyway, I can't seem to uninstall it-it's not appearing in the add/remove programs option.  Any idea why (might it be running and it not be appearing-if so how do i close it).

[GeForce]

I know this one. Go to IE > Tools > Internet Options. Then click the 'Advanced' tab, and scroll down and uncheck Show Friendly HTTP Error Messages. I had the same problem and this was the solution that worked for me.

Hope it works, Jonathan

[RichieB16]

I know this one. Go to IE > Tools > Internet Options. Then click the 'Advanced' tab, and scroll down and uncheck Show Friendly HTTP Error Messages. I had the same problem and this was the solution that worked for me.

Didn't help.  I tried it and the oly difference was when I ran the search the page stayed at the search engine page and didn't change.  So, it never showed an error but still did nothing.

[nickle]

Did you run an A/Virus scan?
Also malware and data miners can cause internet and computer problems.

[RichieB16]

Unfortunately, I don't have an updated anitvirus system on my computer-my account ran out and I never renewed it.  But, I know the problem is with IE-I downloaded netscape to see if that search would work and it did.  Unfortunately I don't like netscape so I need to get Internet Explorer to work.  Does anyone know if it's possible to uninstall IE intirely then download it and reinstall it?  I can't seem to figure out how to uninstall it-it's not in "Add/Remove Programs."  I'm using Windows XP if that makes a difference.

[GeForce]

I think its like Windows Messenger, you have to type a command line prompt to uninstall it. Try MSDN http://msdn.microsoft.com to see if they have any info on the subject (I'm sure it will be in the public newsgroups if it is anywhere).

[RichieB16]

Well, I got sick of trying to solve this problem so I decided to just reformat and reinstall windows.  A little drastic, yes, but it worked.  So, I guess the problem is solved.  

[Craig.]

hey richie, i had the exact same problem, sadly the same thing was the only way i could get it, to work. and lost very important files in the process.
i couldnt figure out what the problem was either.

[RichieB16]

Yeah, fortunately I spent a little time to backup everything before I reformatted it.  So, I didn't lose anything I wanted-but it's just time consuming.

[nickle]

After an AV scan, best to run a program such as Ad-Aware.
Yesterday a friend called to say that she was  having major problems with broadband connects.
Installed and ran Ad-aware.  134 objects removed. Many in the Registry.
EOP.