Find solution
Can you email from AIM to MSN? Does it work?

Why would email and MSN Messenger work, but web browsing not?

  • Why would email and MSN Messenger work, but web browsing not? I got a phone call from a disgruntled mother, wondering why her colleagues home computer will access her email (via Outlook) and be able to use MSN Messenger, but cannot connect to the internet to browse. I'm sure if I sat down at the computer I would figure it out with trial and error, but that's not possible, so I am trying to think of a load of different suggestions of what to try to fix this issue...

  • Answer:

    It could be a problem with the browser, have you tried a different browser? Is she sure Outlook and Messenger are connected? They could be running, but not connected to the internet and she doesn't know it.

lukeo05 at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I'm no expert, but sounds like a DNS issue. Flush the DNS?

sharkfu

if she's using IE - is the 'work offline' option checked (in the file menu)?

askmehow

She might have clicked offline browsing accidentally. Firefox its "file" -> work offline. ie7 its tools -> "work offline".

[insert clever name here]

Possibly the browser is set to use a proxy, and the proxy isn't there anymore?

zippy

This is a very common symptom of spyware infection. For instance, a program intercepts webpage requests from Internet Explorer, and redirects you to a spammy 'search results' page. If that process fails for some reason (bad install, destination site no longer exists, incomplete removal), your webpage requests never get anywhere. Easy diagnosis: Install Firefox. If it works, the problem is spyware. If it doesn't...there may still be spyware using a different mechanism. For clearing things up, try Ad-aware or Spybot. HiJackThis is also a great tool, but more advanced. If you use it, you'll want to clean up BHOs (Browser Helper Objects), which are usually what screw up IE.

a young man in spats

Thanks for the tips everyone. I should be getting the laptop over in the next couple of days so I can figure it out. I'm sure she is probably using IE and that is the source of the problem in some way! I'll get her all firefoxed up.

lukeo05

I ran into spyware that wouldn't let any browsers except IE access the internet. I also vote for spyware.

odinsdream

Is ZoneAlarm running on the affected PC? If so, you can read about the problem and solution http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html.

shinybeast

Browsers, e-mail, and IM clients all use different ports for access (browsers are generally port 80, e-mail is usually 110 and 25, not sure what port MSN Messenger is set for). It's possible that a firewall or some other software has blocked port 80.

camcgee

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.