FIXED!! After many hours, here are the exact steps that I needed to follow to restore Internet web browsing:
1. Run Avast boot-time scan
2. Run Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, reboot into Safe Mode, repeat Malwarebytes. Make sure no malware is found in the second scan. Otherwise, remove malware and rescan a third time in Safe Mode.
3. Run SuperAntiSpyware in normal Windows mode. Reboot.
4. Uninstall completely Avast anti-virus and any other firewall or anti-virus software that may be installed..
[On Vista, find cmd.exe icon, right-click, then “run as administrator” from the context menu]
5. Run “netsh int ip reset” from command line
6. Run “netsh winsock reset catalog” (if this step cannot be completed, don’t worry)
Reboot
. . . if web browsing not working . . .
7. Run cmd, “ipconfig /release”, then “ipconfig /renew”.
8. Manually remove "winsock" and "winsock2" branches in regedit, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\
CurrentCon
trolSet\Se
rvices.
Remove all network adapter drivers in Device Manager, reboot.
9. Run “MicrosoftFixit50203.msi” (from MS kb811259,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811259). Reboot.
10. Ensure the existence of DHCP dependency files "afd.sys", "tcpip.sys", and "netbt.sys" in C:\Windows\System32\Driver
s folder.
11. In Device Manager, click “Show hidden devices”, double-click “Non-Plug and Play devices”, double-click AFD, Driver tab, set “Startup Type” to “System” and repeat for both “TCP/IP Protocol Driver” and “NetBios over tcpip”.
12. Run “MicrosoftFixit50199.msi” (from MS kb299357,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357). Reboot.
13. Run “WinsockxpFix.exe” (from
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html). Reboot.
14. Run XP TCP/IP Repair 2.0 ("xptcprep.exe" from
http://www.xp-smoker.com/freeware.html). Click “Repair Winsock” button, then “Reset TCP/IP” button. Reboot.
15. Run “LSPFix.exe” (from
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm). Reboot.
16. Test Internet connectivity: open cmd window, type “ping –t
www.fellows.com”. You should receive “Reply from [ip address]” many times. Press Ctrl+c to cancel.
17. Control Panel, Network Connections, right-click “Local Area Connection,” Properties, select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” in the box, then click “Properties” button, “Advanced…” button, “Options” tab, select “TCP/IP filtering,” then “Properties” button, then change all three columns to “Permit All”, then uncheck “Enable TCP/IP Filtering (All adpaters)” and confirm the dialog. Click “OK” four times to return to Control Panel, then reboot computer.
18. Go to Control Panel, Internet Options, “Connections” tab, “LAN settings” button, uncheck “Use a proxy server for your LAN” and the other two boxes, “Automatically detect settings” and “Use automatic configuration script.” Reboot computer.
19. Reinstall Avast! free Home Edition anti-virus.
==========================
==========
==========
======
Here is some further information which I did NOT have to use:
Step #1
Full uninstall of TCP/IP ... no bullbleep.
--------------------------
----------
----------
----------
----------
----
These steps are copied from
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3253561. Locate the Nettcpip.inf file in %winroot%\inf, and then open the file in Notepad.
2. Locate the [MS_TCPIP.PrimaryInstall] section.
3. Edit the Characteristics = 0xa0 entry and replace 0xa0 with 0x80.
4. Save the file, and then exit Notepad.
5. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties.
6. On the General tab, click Install, select Protocol, and then click Add.
7. In the Select Network Protocols window, click Have Disk.
8. In the Copy manufacturer's files from: text box, type c:\windows\inf, and then click OK.
9. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.
Note This step will return you to the Local Area Connection Properties screen, but now the Uninstall button is available.
10. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click Uninstall, and then click Yes.
RESTART
succesfull uninstallation of TCP/IP will remove numerous keys from the registry including
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/tcpip
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/dhcp
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/dnscach
e
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/ipsec
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/policya
gent
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/atmarpc
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/nla
These represent various interconnected and interdependant services.
For good measure you should delete the following keys before reinstalling TCP/IP in step #2
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/winsock
HKLM/system/CurrentControl
Set/servic
es/winsock
2
Step #2
Reinstall of TCP/IP
--------------------------
----------
----------
----------
----------
----
Following the above substep #13, replace the 0x80 back to 0xa0, this will eliminate the related "unsigned driver" error that was encountered during the uninstallation phase.
Return to "local area connection"> properties > general tab > install > Protocol > TCP/IP
You may receive an "Extended Error" failure upon trying to reinstall the TCP/IP, this is related to the installer sub-system conflicting with the security database status.
to check the integrity of the security database
esentutl /g c:\windows\security\Databa
se\secedit
.sdb
There may be a message saying database is out of date
first try the recovery option
esentutl /r c:\windows\security\Databa
se\secedit
.sdb
this did not work for me, I needed the repair option
esentutl /p c:\windows\security\Databa
se\secedit
.sdb
rerun the /g option to ensure that integrity is good and database is up to date.
Now return to the "local area network setup"
choose install > protocol > tcp/ip and try again
reboot.
