XP Network problem on one machine

GAH2402 · 01-18-2009, 07:31 AM

Hi Guys,

Need some help here! I have a small home network of three computers (named desktop, mediabox and laptop). All three are running XP Pro, with Service Pack 3, and all up to date patches. They are connected via a Netgear router, using DHCP. All three machines can connect to the Internet. I also have a local network setting in my Firewalls. Here comes my problem!

About a week ago, the desktop machine got infected by some spyware in something I downloaded (AVG picked it up). I deleted the item, and also removed all system restore points. I also ran a couple of spyware programs (adware and dr spyware) just to double check. Everything seemed fine. Then I noticed that the desktop machine wouldn't connect to the other machines in my network. On my mediabox or laptop machines, I can see all three machines, but I get the usual "\\desktop is not accessible" error. Sometimes when I try to view network computers on the desktop machine, I get the error right away, and can't see any machines. Or, I can see desktop and nothing else. Sometimes I can see all three machines, but can't connect to the other two. I can ping all machines (and the router) from any machine, using the IP address or the computer name. I'm guessing the virus/spyware I picked up might have something to do with it, or something I've deleted has corrupted a registry setting. I've tried a few DOS commands including netsh winsock reset and ipconfig /flushdns. I'm at a loss, especially as the network has been running fine for about two years. The other strange thing is in my router interface. If I click onto "connected devices", the desktop computer name is "unknown". It used to show the correct name, and it still does for the other two machines.

Can anyone suggest anything?

Regards,
GAH2402

oldskool · 01-18-2009, 10:22 AM

Disclaimer to my response:

Osiris and the tech forums Security team recommend you follow ONLY their advice, however you will probably find that they recommend a Hijack This logfile to post in the Virus - Spyware Protection / Detection section as well as download Osiris' Spyware Removal Guide that you can get by clicking on my sig.

Again, don't believe just me, take it from Osiris himself. He is the Security specialist here at Tech Forums. But I wanted you to know there is something you can do.

GAH2402 · 01-18-2009, 02:54 PM

Hi oldskool,

can I assume by your respone that you think my problem may be caused by me still having a virus? I'll download the Removal guide, and report back.

Regards,
GAH2402

oldskool · 01-18-2009, 04:01 PM

I am thinking so, but as I said, Osiris and his team usually handle security issues, and no harm will be done if you try this. It should help you. I am just saying that it is policy here for any recommendations not given by either Osiris or his security helpers is chancy and should be avoided. That said, you should be alright to just download that and post the log file in the link I gave. The disclaimer is to say that beyond that, I will refer this to Osiris if you would like via private message. I will try to help you in other words.

Mak213 · 01-18-2009, 10:11 PM

No need to PM Osiris about this. The guide gives instructions on where to post the log for review.

If not he can just ask where to post it.

HijackThis Logs (analyze) - Computer Forums

There to be exact.

To me it sounds as if the Router configuration is messed up. Have you tried to reset the router and reconfigure it?

GAH2402 · 01-19-2009, 03:20 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I have followed all the steps in the Spyware Removal Guide. None of the tools found any malware of spyware, although there were a few registry settings tidied up. I can post the Hijack This log, but I'm pretty sure I'm clear. However, after all that, I'm no futher forward with my network problem. I have reset the router several times, and also upgraded the firmware to the latest available. Other than that, does anyone have nay other suggestions.

Thanks,
GAH2402

Hefemeister · 01-19-2009, 03:30 PM

I see you have already tried a lot of different stuff that I would recommend. I do not see if you have uninstalled and reinstalled your ethernet drivers yet.

superdave1984 · 01-19-2009, 03:46 PM

Have you eliminated the obvious and re-run the network setup wizard? I ran into a similar issue with my daughter's PC and running the wizard again fixed it.

GAH2402 · 01-19-2009, 03:48 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the driver via the Device Manager option. I have also tried to update the driver via the Net, but Windows says there is no better match. I can do every thing on this machine except connect to the other machines in my network. I can browse the internet, I can ping all machines, and I can use VNC to transfer files between the machines. It's really weird, but the only other funny thing is that when log into my user name, it takes ages to get to the desktop!

Regards,
GAH2402

Hefemeister · 01-19-2009, 03:57 PM

SuperDave's recommendation is next on the list. When you updated the driver via device manager windows said there was no newer driver, what does the manufacturer say? Have you manually looked for an updated driver from the manufactures web site?

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