Can't access email or web

Helpline Q&A Directory

After my ISP changed its access number, which required me to run a wizard to change my dialup configuration, I have been unable to access any web pages or email. Internet Explorer dials up and handshakes with my ISP, the progress indicator grows from left to right at the bottom of the window and indicates 'Done', but the window shows 'The page cannot be displayed'. 'Cannot find server' appears in the title bar and '...dnserror.htm' appears at the bottom after 'Done' disappears. Then, a message box comes up to say 'Internet Explorer could not open the search page'. Outlook Express similarly dials up, checks the password and appears to access the ISP host for mail, but each action fails.

My ISP couldn't help, so I tried removing Outlook Express, repairing Internet Explorer and reinstalling Windows 98 SE, all without success. The problem must be on my computer because I can access my ISP's web page and the mail zone from another computer.

This problem can occur for a number of reasons, the most likely of which are listed below. More information about this problem and possible solutions can be found in Microsoft Knowledgebase at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q175/7/22.asp.

Multiple copies of wsock32.dll are installed on your computer. Use the Find tool to locate all copies of the file on your system, then rename them all wsock32.xxx, except the one in the Windows System folder.
An incorrect version of wsock32.dll file is installed on your computer. With System File Checker, restore the one supplied with Windows 98 from the installation disc.
Unable to resolve the DNS name, or the DNS server returned an error. In the Dial-Up Networking folder, right-click your ISP icon, select Properties, select the 'Server Types' tab, click 'TCP/IP Settings' and check that the 'Server assigned name server address' option is selected. Also, check the Windows folder to see if there is a file named Hosts. If there is, rename it to hosts.xxx.
There may be a corrupt cookie file on the system. Delete the contents of the Cookies folder. Note that this may result in lost customisation of some websites.
The Internet Explorer connection settings are configured to use a proxy server. In Internet Explorer, click on Tools, Internet Options, select the Connections tab, select your ISP's entry and click 'Settings'. Clear the 'Automatically detect settings' and 'Use proxy server' checkboxes.