# Windows XP Problem: Programs that connect to the Internet crash at startup **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 5, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748 "2004-06-05T01:43:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/1 "2004-06-05T01:43:50Z")
Just went through and cleared an obscene amount of spyware and malware off of my buddy’s computer, using varying combinations of Adaware, Bazooka, and Spysweeper. And bejesus, there was a lot. Anyway… now, the computer loads up seemingly fine, except… programs - any program - that connects to the Internet crashes before anything useful happens. IE crashes just when the window appears, AIM crashes just before the Buddy list loads up, Windows Update won’t work. Now, it says that his network connection is still plugged in. I’ve got a couple of Recovery Console tricks to play, and I’m gonna try DL-ing a copy of Stinger (at my house, and bring it over there) to check for viruses… however, my question: Anything else the problem might be? A corrupted or damaged file in Windows? I just wanna make sure I got all bases covered, here. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/2 "2004-06-05T02:14:46Z")
Some of the malware modify the windows sockets, so you can only connect to the internet through them. I you remove the malware, you cannot connect to the internet. Either use the Windows repair console to repair the existing instalation, or undo the changes performed by Adaware and Spybot (they offer that option). ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/3 "2004-06-05T02:17:44Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > …or undo the changes performed by Adaware and Spybot (they offer that option). I forgot to mention: Undoing the changes will essentialy re-install the malwares! ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/4 "2004-06-05T02:25:12Z")
If you are unable to get on the internet…it’s a good bet your winsock is broken. Run [this.](http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm) Once you fix your internet connection… Run adaware again…but set it up like [this](http://www.zerosrealm.com/scanning.php). Do an online virus scan at Housecall. When you say “crash”…are you getting any specific error messages? ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/5 "2004-06-05T04:13:56Z")
> [@](#): > > When you say “crash”…are you getting any specific error messages? Just the standard “This program is not responding, click below to send an error report to Microsoft” message, and then the program closes. > [@](#): > > Either use the Windows repair console to repair the existing instalation I think I’ll do that, if **Daizy** ’s linked program doesn’t work. Thanks, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-problem-programs-that-connect-to-the-internet-crash-at-startup/248748/6 "2004-06-05T14:18:45Z")
Waddya mean, “If Daizy’s program doesn’t work!” Of course it will work. 😃 Yes, a repair will also work, but there’s a few tricks you can try first. Like the Winsock fix… Or, perhaps using system restore to a date before you had run these spyware programs… We need you to get the internet connection fixed…then we’re golden to fix the rest.