Can't make new connections to internet and programs can't update

It sounds like either winsock or TCP/Ip has been corrupted with the browser not responding etc.

The Op may want to run the IP reset file to fix these problems..

I'll try running Windows Defender Offline next.

HitmanPro will not run in normal Windows mode as it can't access the internet (part of my problem). I tried unchecking the 2 setup options which suggest the need for an internet connection and it still did not run.

I'm sure you know this, but I found MSE does not work in safe mode. So I attempted to run it in normal mode, but cancelled when it suggested I first need to uninstall my current antivirus (the free version of BitDefender). Is the recommendation that I should uninstall?

ansley said:

I'll try running Windows Defender Offline next.

HitmanPro will not run in normal Windows mode as it can't access the internet (part of my problem). I tried unchecking the 2 setup options which suggest the need for an internet connection and it still did not run.

I'm sure you know this, but I found MSE does not work in safe mode. So I attempted to run it in normal mode, but cancelled when it suggested I first need to uninstall my current antivirus (the free version of BitDefender). Is the recommendation that I should uninstall?

You should only have one antivirus installed, pick one and uninstall the other.

Have you tried the suggestion from chev65 above yet?

Derekimo,

The reviews I've read suggest that the free version of BitDefender is better than most antivirus applications including MSE. However, I'm open to additional input. Are you guys suggesting I should use MSE instead?

I had overlooked the suggestion from chev65, but I've since run it. It ran very quickly, so I can't say exactly what it did except that it rebooted the system. I ran it a second time to try to catch what happened, but again it was too fast. Afterward, I attempted to run HitmanPro again and again it failed because of lack of internet connection.

I'm having difficulty getting Windows Defender Offline burned to a CD as I'm my clean system is running XP and I need Image Mastering API v2 and the online check for genuine Windows only gives the option to save instead of running it from the Windows site. <sigh>

If you want to keep BitDefender then you need to uninstall MSE, running two real time AV's is not a good idea, they end up fighting each other.

I can't comment on how chev65's suggestion is supposed to run.

Hold off on the Windows Defender right now, it will need an internet connection as well when it tries to update the definitions.

OK. I never installed MSE as I didn't want to have 2 AV's.

So I'm not sure what to try next.

I'll be honest, I don't either. I've requested some fresh eyes to look at this.

I booted in Safe Mode with Networking.

The Windows window that pops up explaining what safe mode is indicated that it was unable to access the internet.

However, I launched MalwareBytes and was able to get updates (an improvement). I ran another full scan which again turned up nothing.

I then reran HitmanPro. It turned up 7 "threats." They are:
C:\Users\Bob\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\42U3GZOH\SPSetup[1].exe which is marked as Malware and recommends Quarantine
C:\Program Files (x86)\Conduit\Community Alerts\Alert.dll which is marked as Conduit and recommends Ignore (what is a Conduit?)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Conduit\ marked as Conduit and Ignore
C:\Program Files (x86)\Conduit\Community Alerts\ marked as Conduit and Ignore
C:\Users\Bob\AppData\LocalLow\Conduit\ marked as Conduit and Ignore
C:\Users\Bob\AppData\Local\Conduit\ marked as Conduit and Ignore
and
HKU\S-1-5-21-2577831617-578804045-2162281527-1001\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Smartbar\ marked as Conduit and Ignore

Do I need to get rid of this SPSetup[1].exe? I can't tell from my searches that it's a problem.
What are these Conduits?
Should I quarantine these Conduits or ignore them?

I'm requesting this be moved to the security forum and let the experts there guide you.