Windows Vista Problem

[Freddy_Francis]

Im having an odd problem where if I download the updates for my pc internet explorer wont work....neither will mozilla. It says im not connected to the internet, yet im happily talking on MSN recieving files from others. Also in the bottom right corner of the screen it says im connected. The other day I installed Service Pack 1 and the same thing happens, it downloads all the updates along with all the other things SP1 is suppose to have. Then when the pc restarts and I fire up it says im not connected whether I try and go online with Mozilla, or IE7. Yet again, bottom right hand corner says im connected and im chatting on MSN. Just curious if anyone has had the same problem or has heard of it, my next step is to just backup my required files and use the recovery disks. My only solution so far is to just to a restore point and bring the PC back to prior installation of the updates. Only thing is, I bought a program that requires vista and sp1. Ive also noticed that I cannot download real world wx for FSX. Just a little frustrated and curious if theres any info out there for me!

Just a disclaimer here, im looking for information I don't want this to turn into a MAC vs PC, or Vista vs XP, just looking for any actual help!

Any info or ideas from some of the IT crowd is greatly appreciated!

[Nark]

I've disabled all automatic updates through the control panel. This seems to help.

Service Pack 1 disabled my OS and I have to factory restore my computer. After throwing $$$ at Best Buy and their geek squad I managed to get what I needed in order to restore my files.

[Freddy_Francis]

see I also disabled the automatic updates, and although I like Best Buy the geek squad is pretty much a joke. The real problem now is the program I bought requires vista with sp1, and sp1 installs all updates. So its just a little frustrating.

[200hr Wonder]

Freddy check C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts see if there is a bunch of stuff in there. if there is you got your self a nice little virus that has gone and essentially made it so that Windows update won't work so it won't be able to find places like norton.com or other anti virus sites.

FWIW Geek Squad are a bunch of numpties that don't know shit from shinola.

If you want you can PM me to.

[Freddy_Francis]

I ended up just backing up the files that were most important to me and using the recovery disks. Norton came with the pc when I bought it (trial version) Im avoiding it because it's what I belived caused the firewall block. Thanks for your help guys!

[Phlyer]

For the best (IMHO) virus checker, go to http://www.avg.com/.
Best part is it's free and does it's own updates every day.

[Louis]

I've had decent results with Avira Antivir and Avast as well. Also Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware.