Broken Internet Connectivity

I have a hand-me-down laptop running Windows XP Pro (SP3) which I use
as a spare computer for my grandsons when they visit. It connects to
my FIOS router using a wireless WEP connection.

In checking out the laptop in preparation for the next visit, I found
that even though I have a solid connection from the laptop to the
router, I cannot connect to the internet with either IE or Firefox.

However, Norton Anti-Virus can still get its latest updates, as can
Spybot. Ad-Aware gives an error message, as does an attempt to update
the internet time.

The Windows Firewall included with XP Pro has always been turned off.

A scan with Spybot found something called "Microsoft Windows Firewall
Override" and supposedly removed it, but it made no difference. The
XP Connectivity Diag thinks that ports 21, 80 and 443 may be blocked,
but this makes no sense with the XP firewall disabled. The other two
PCs on the network connect with no problem, so nothing seems to be
blocked in the router.

If these ports are blocked somehow, Norton and Spybot must use other
ports to get their updates.

Anyone have any idea how to restore total functionality short of a
total wipe and reload? BTW, the problem is the same with a wired
connection to the router, so it isn't a wireless problem.

TIA...

Well you could call your tech support from your internet service provider and
tell them you have a connection problem. It least it would be free although
they may not fix it. Worth a try.
Best Regards,
Kaja

"Bruce J. Miller" wrote:

> I have a hand-me-down laptop running Windows XP Pro (SP3) which I use
> as a spare computer for my grandsons when they visit. It connects to
> my FIOS router using a wireless WEP connection.
>
> In checking out the laptop in preparation for the next visit, I found
> that even though I have a solid connection from the laptop to the
> router, I cannot connect to the internet with either IE or Firefox.
>
> However, Norton Anti-Virus can still get its latest updates, as can
> Spybot. Ad-Aware gives an error message, as does an attempt to update
> the internet time.
>
> The Windows Firewall included with XP Pro has always been turned off.
>
> A scan with Spybot found something called "Microsoft Windows Firewall
> Override" and supposedly removed it, but it made no difference. The
> XP Connectivity Diag thinks that ports 21, 80 and 443 may be blocked,
> but this makes no sense with the XP firewall disabled. The other two
> PCs on the network connect with no problem, so nothing seems to be
> blocked in the router.
>
> If these ports are blocked somehow, Norton and Spybot must use other
> ports to get their updates.
>
> Anyone have any idea how to restore total functionality short of a
> total wipe and reload? BTW, the problem is the same with a wired
> connection to the router, so it isn't a wireless problem.
>
> TIA...
>