Windows 7: Internet does not work in normal mode after Windows 7 updates

Hi,



I am trying to solve this problem for quite some time. I went through some of the existing threads but did not get answer, so posting new thread. I have a sony laptop which has Windows 7 on it. Because of some problem, I reinstalled windows 7 on it using its recovery option. But after I did that, it started hanging in normal mode upon connecting it to a network. It was working in safe mode. After searching for some time online, I found that Windows Live essential was causing the problem. So, I uninstalled the problem. It solved the freeze problem and it started working. But since I had restored it from earlier point, there were some windows updates that were missing. So, I started auto install of windows updates. Once those updates were installed, internet stopped working. It still works in safe mode. Diagnostics say that it can not find the error and shows laptop as connected to the network. I installed network driver from Sony website thinking there could be a problem there. That did not help. After that, I did selective startup as suggested in some threads thinking some third party software were causing the problem. That also did not help. Right now, the situation is that internet is not working in normal mode but it works in safe mode. Can someone suggest some solution to this problem?

If you haven't done so yet, you will want to uninstall all the Sony bloat ware that was preinstalled on your machine, especially the Sony wireless connection software which tends to conflict with the Windows 7 wireless connection software. You should also list your system specs and Sony model number as I have no idea what your system is?

You can also post a screen shot of your add-remove programs if you aren't sure what to remove.

ok, I will do this in the evening and let you know

In addition to the above post by chev, here is a tutorial on fixing internet connection issues that you might find handy: Internet Troubleshooting Guide - created by Dinesh

I got this one resolved. For the benefit of those, who are facing this issue.

Initially in normal mode when laptop was hanging as soon as connecting to network, Uninstalling Microsoft Security essentials resolved the issue.

And on internet not working in normal mode, I uninstalled Norton Live which resolved that issue.

So, those who are having this issue, first uninstall all antiviruses before doing anything else.


Thanks to everyone for helping me on this issue.

I figured it was something installed just wasn't sure what. Norton is famous for causing this but security essentials should be causing no problems.

Perhaps both of them together is what was causing the issues? Thats my bet

I have not way of proving that MSE was hanging the system unless I install both of them again and just uninstall Norton. I put my bet on MSE doing it because that's what I saw posted on different forums and that's what solved my problem. Now, it is possible that both together were doing that. But still both together hanging the system to the point that hard reboot remains the only option is not acceptable.

Rupen,

You are only supposed to have a single antivirus software installed at any one time due to conflicts. MSE OR Norton, etc. You aslo should not uninstall them the conventional way (Control Panel Uninstall Programs), as it leaves remnants of the antivirus program. You should use an uninstaller tool (some antivirus companies create their own, or you might search for a community created one). Here is a thread about what people believe the "best" antivirus is: What's the Best Anti-virus? - this is a good read to find out the benefits of one antivirus over another, and any additional security software that might be coupled with an antivirus, if interested. I've used MSE and recommended it for its compatability and lightness. I doubt it was the problem at all, honestly. But you by no means need to have it, as there are even better antiviruses out there, (I like MSE because it integrates with Windows very well) as you may read in the link I've provided. Everyone has a different opinion, it is for you to decide for yourself.

If you wanted to 'prove' if MSE was causing trouble, There is no need to install both, but you might have to do some time consuming work. I would recommend installing Ccleaner and scanning the registry (be careful as without registry knowledge, even this trust-worthy program can delete something you might not want deleted). Look for any remnants of antivirus software from Norton and MSE (and any other that you may have installed in the past). Delete those files. I would recommend against deleting random things as, again, it may end up being something you might not want deleted. This is good practice anyway in case you wanted to install any other antivirus, as you decrease the chance of conflict. You can then uninstall Ccleaner. You could then reinstall MSE. If problems arise, then you know if is MSE causing the trouble after all.

- I don't know much about Norton Live, whether it is good or bad, or how well it performs with MSE. If you make any sort of choice, bear this in mind.