Can't surf the net, what tool to use

[richie]

Friend of mine using windows XP can connect to the web,but when starting the browser the system always shows a 404 error. What program can I download and take to their place to try and remove whatever is stopping the system work.

The PC works ok if a little slow, but cannot surf. Norton is installed but is showing errors. Looks like some kind of worm is fcuking their system up...

Any ideas please...

 

[cookie]

dump norton & see if it works, then install zone alarm.

 

[judge]

Have to concur with Cookie, I don't know what it is with Norton Firewall and McAfee's equiv but they are a bastard and I've had to deal with a few recently, had a fight with Black Ice yesterday but I've never had any problems with ZA

 

[richie]

OK thanks for the advice...

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

bit of a net numpty!

dump norton & see if it works, then install zone alarm.

Where do I find Zone Alarm and what does it do ?

In other words is it a free download and do I need it? (I've got AVG antivirus installed after my Dad said I should! - 'cos I'm good and always do what my Dad says)

Thanks for any advice given
Sherps

 

[boundless]

Zone Alarms

Where do I find Zone Alarm and what does it do ?

Find it here (F.O.C. on the red download button here); you'll not regret.

<iframe frameborder="1" height="700" scrolling="auto" src="http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp" width="700"></iframe>

In a nutshell; it flashes up a "allow" / "not allow" question everytime a new program or applet tries to use the internet connection to transfer information or do "stuff". It remembers all your answers and keeps them on a list to avoid wasting your time the next time. It's a bit like recruiting bouncers, a good one is hard to find but worth weight in gold once house-trained and familiarly accustomed to your particular client base.

 

[cookie]

have you tried turning norton off yet? if that doesn't fix it, you got a different problem.

are you on dial up or broadband?

can you send & receive with outlook express?

 

[richie]

Cookie, its not my PC. If it was mine I would have had it sorted by now.

To answer your question as yet I have done nothing and yes its broadband and no outlook does not work either.

The norton is just the antivirus not the firewall.

I intend to 1 remove norton and 2 try and get the thing reconnecting so I can download some goodies of of the net to fix the PC. I was wondering if there were any good fix it downloads I could down load to a flash card before going to see them again