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Ok, today I finally bought some new Internet Security software. I had F-Secure before but it had expired, and even though I heard rave reviews about Zone Alarm, I plumped for Norton because it had equally good reviews and was available for me to pick up.

So today I uninstalled F-Secure, then rebooted. Then I installed Norton 2007, and when it tried to active it failed. My internet connection had been lost. So I messed about with it trying to get it back up (repair, disable firewalls, reboot router etc etc) but nothing worked. Eventually I uninstalled Norton to make sure I had no firewalls or anything and it still didn't work.

Finally I booted up the other compo on my desk. This is connected to the same switch as my main compo, which in turn connects to the router. This works fine. So my internet connection is all good. The problem can only be on my main PC, as I've ruled out all hardware problems. My second PC gets it address by DHCP from the router all fine, but my main PC now doesnt get a DHCP address ... it keeps defaulting to its backup address thing.

I've given it a static IP on the network, and set the router as its default router, but no joy. Interestingly, I can ping the second computer and the router from my main computer (using ping in the command prompt) showing no hardware problems, but the network card refuses to get a dynamic IP and refuses to see any other device or connect or work in any way within windows (except using ping).

All the things I can think of that I've tried:
-Ruled out hardware problems
-Pinging works
-Uninstalled all firewall software and internet security
-Disabled windows firewall
-Tried the network office setup wizard several times
-Tried static IP addressing
-Tried the repair operation
-Tried both network cards (I have two on my mobo), but same problem
-Tried disabling other hardware

I'm at a loss now. The dreaded "reinstall" is beckoning, but its not that long ago that I did one, so I'd rather sort it. Any suggestions, no matter how random, much appreciated!

Sounds like the uninstall of first app blorkt everything for windows networking. That, or the combo of norton install messed everything up, which isnt surprising. Have you tried reinstalling/repairing windows networking components? That may do the trick. Or maybe those daft apps uninstalled win networking components, or parts of it.

I personally never use thos bloated apps like nortons etc etc.
I use a nifty lil firewall called BlackIce, and SpyBot+Adaware, thats it. No virus scanner or other bloated system crippling software. Have never had a problem. Trick with my setup is to never download and run anything dodgy, ever, ever.

Good luck sorting it mate

Yeah, I use the never download anything dodgy technique too. I never had a virus with my last year subscription to F-Secure, so I could go down your route. Possibly will in the future.

I think I might go with your ideas. I considered F-Secure uninstall might be crap, so everything's been shafted. I'll try a windows networking component fix first, then install the mobo LAN drivers from the CD, and then I'll just go mental and kill something.

Will report back shortly. Cheers.

Same happened to me when McAfee subscription ran out. I switched it over to ZoneAlarm... for whatever reason, I managed to get our ICS host to put a block on my IP. The ICS Host also had McAfee, but the subscription was still valid for 9 months...

It took me some time to realize, that despite 192.168.255.255 being on the "trusted list" my own IP was on the Banned IP list, and while I had ZoneAlarm, it just kept adding me back to the block list every time I removed it, whatever IP I changed to. It never gave a reason why, probably "renew your subscription, cheapskate" or similar.

In the end, defeat -- renew the subscription, oh then it all worked fine. (surprising, eh?)

Well, definitely seems to be something to do with F-Secure internet security. I always wandered what the FS stood for. Now I know .... f**k sake.

I used a good ol' system restore point and now the internet appears to be back and my DHCP is assigned to my network adapter, but when I load up good old fire fox, I get redirected to an F-Secure page saying my kiddies have messed about with my parental controls. Any attempt to access anything on the net gets me redirected to this page. Apparently my non-existant kiddies have unleashed uber hax0rz on F-Secure in an attempt to see porn sites.

So, if F-Secure is indeed the problem and isn't properly uninstalled, how the hell do I kill it? I have uninstalled it from its own icon, and add/remove programs, plus run a redundant registry checker program (Ace Utilities), plus made sure nothing is loaded at boot-up (autostart manager). What else can I do apart from napalm my harddrive?

How do you totally delete a little wretch like this? Should I reinstall it from the CD and try the uninstall again?

@SimSmall - Sounds typical of these companies. I shall not bow to their scams though! They will be defeated!!

I must admit, I didn't battle with it for all that long -- certainly within 5 days I just couldn't stand it not working... But taking MAfee off the ICS host was "Not an option" guess that played a key role...

oh well, good luck to you...

One thing will kill it -- bit brutal... depends how much you like your current windows installation

Not much. I'm doing it now. Opted for the dreaded reinstall, but I'm going for the record tonight. Partitioning is done, install is underway. Got all the driver disks and software disks ready, plus all the download locations for my online proggies to hand, plus all stuff from my C: drive backed up to my D: drive. I have a stella in my left hand and the stereo going in the background. Making it all as painless as possible.

HAHA! good one, lmao

Regarding FS, the app, I can't stand crap apps like this. Sorry its causing all this grief for ya. Well, you have a stella and a stereo so its not that bad. Maybe the ol' HDD was in need of an early spring cleaning for the May Queen anyway?

have fun.

Well, it's always nice to clean up the disk. All done now matey. Still have some apps to install, but new Internet Security is on and working fine, and all drivers updated and installed. Still, it is annoying how bad software can pretty much ruin your machine when it's as integrated as internet security software is.