wasted wrote...

> Hi
>
> A friend is having problems - from a few weeks ago he was unable to access
> the internet most of the time although email still works. He thinks it may
> have followed from opening an email, but can't be sure.
>
> He is running a Medion computer with XP Home, and uses a Sagem USB modem
> supplied by Talktalk, who is his ISP.
>
> When he opens IE7, most times it gives the "web page can't be displayed"
> message. But just occasionally it will open his home page and then other
> sites for just a few seconds before reverting to the error message. He had
> been using Zone Alarm, but now there is no trace of it - it doesn't load,
> and it's not visible in "remove software".
>
> I've run Adaware, Superantispyware and others in normal and safe mode - and
> they cleared out loads, but mainly cookies.. Tried Spybot, but it seems to
> insist on being updated before it will run, which can't be done because he
> can't get on line. We've The modem lights are lit appropriately, and of
> course email is working, proving a connection. I've also installed Firefox
> and get the same result. A hijack this log showed nothing that wasn't
> recognisable.
>
> I have tried installing a different modem but it wasn't recognised -
> impression was that the Talktalk software was interfering. At that stage I
> couldn't uninstall the software for the Sagem modem because he had lost the
> CD. He now has a replacement CD, and has tried uninstalling the talktalk and
> modem software and reinstalling - with no joy.
>
> When I'm next there going to try again with the alternative modem after
> uninstalling the current stuff.
>
> Any other ideas what I can try next.
>

Run 'restore' and go back to a date when his computer was working.
If that fails, attempt to contact Talk Talk support - they have prolly
****ed up somewhere. TT is well known as a ****e ISP.