Yes, it has the service pack 2

I think it came with it installed, but I don't know for certain. Actually, I have a Microsoft Windows XP Pro CD in front of me.....

We purchased the computer through Tiger Direct (if that makes a difference)

Just to let you know what you are trying to do is to repair/reset your Winsock settings which control your internet access and are often corrupted by registry corruption from malware or bad cleanups.

The last easy step is this:

If you are running Windows XP with Service Pack 2, it is recommended you repair your Winsock using the following instructions:

1) Click Start, click Run and type CMD and click OK.
2) At the command prompt type: netsh winsock reset catalog (and press Enter)
3) At the command prompt type: Exit (and press Enter)

What happens?

successfully reset the winsock catalog you must restart the machine in order to complete the reset.

ok ... can you restart the machine?

I restarted and....

My AOL instant messenger service is on ~ the first time in a few days

Outlook Express opened and I have mail in my inbox

But I still can't connect to Internet Explorer


When it tries to connect with a page ...at the bottom instead of the E for IE it is a magnifying glass and it says detecting proxy settings.....

Well, thanks for the help you have given to me so far. I'm glad to be able to check my email. I will work on it more tomorrow.

Thanks again,
porringer

I will post all of my sources for you before I leave tonight.

The proxy settup could be as simple as this:

Please open Internet Explorer, now click Tools, click Internet Options, click the Connections Tab. Now click LAN Settings, you need to make sure nothing on that page is checked.

nothing is checked

That is something I tried before finding this web site

Thanks again for your help

Try Connections | Settings (under dial up)


Just to make sure that a Proxy connection is not set.

Some reading for you & yours'

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811259

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314067/

http://www.careyholzman.com/net3.htm

http://groups.google.com/group/micro...4537d079c37fb7

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=no...r=&sa=N&tab=wg

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/winsock.htm

This might be a quick fix but I would read all of the above beforehand as this is listed as a last resort.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html