Can't find server or dns error in IE but AOL can - need help

Hi,
I read this thread (http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...hreadid=130049)
and noticed the reference to DNS and DHCP and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. (This is driving me crazy)
I'm running Windows 98se, IE6, HP Pavilion 8665C, EZTrust AV, Spyware Blaster, BOClean, SpyBot.
Since about September there are a few select sites I cannot access with standalone IE (I get the above message). but I can access them in AOL browser if I try it immediately afterwards.
I have no "hosts" file, nor ICS sharing. No firewall. So far I have emptied temp.int.files, cookies, history and used spider to empty my index.dat files. In October I removed and reinstalled both IE6 and AOL 5. A few days ago I removed the communications from windows set-up, deleted the winsock2 key in the registry, rebooted and re-checked communication in windows set-up (I have dial up networking and hyperterminal checked in there). I also removed and reinstalled the AOL Adapter. I was given the settings for AOL Adapter. Here they are: (in Network) AOL Adapter>properties>Bindings tab= TCP/IP AOL Adapter. TCP/IP>AOL Adapter>properties>IP Address tab= obtain an IP address automatically". DNS tab>disable DNS. WINS Configuration tab= Disable WINS configuration>>>>>WHEN I CHECKED THIS I COULDN'T ACCESS ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET (I got action canceled). So I put it back to "DHCP for WINS Resolution" and I could access the internet. Bindings tab>clear any checkmarks (none).
I have tried pinging the problem sites and get 4 timed outs and 4 packets sent, 0 received, 4 lost. pinging the IP is the same. When I do a tracert I get 30 * * * *. And yet I can access these sites with AOL's IE!
I got suspicious about my "timed out error" messages with my auto-downloads with EZTrust. Sometimes I can auto-download, but I'm getting a lot of timed outs lately...so I did a ping and tracert and got the 4 times outs and * * * * for the tracert.
Thinking it might have to do with my security settings in IE, I put one site in my Trusted Sites. I still get The page cannot be displayed, cannot find server or dns error but it shows the page to be in my Trusted sites.
Does anyone have any idea of what the problem is? I think AOL has something to do with this. Can you spot anything in those AOL Adapter settings?
I'd appreciate any help.
Sincerely, Nancee

Edit: I forgot to mention this: If I go to www.anonymizer.com with the standalone IE, I can then access a problem page (but if I try to click a link or two, anonymizer says I have to purchase it!)

"deleted the winsock2 key in the registry"

For what reason?

Hi Ski,
I found this M$ article with those instructions:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=238550

Unfortunately, it didn't work.

Sincerely, Nancee

Installing AOL and IE on the same system is akin to trying to mix oil and water.
As long as AOL's browser can access all sites, then suggest you use just that one.

My problem is a little different in that I have not found any problems accesseing the web through AOL - it is only when I try to use IE direct that I cannot reach the web.

I have had AOL and IE on my computer for years with no problems until about a week awhen the problem suddenly started (I think it happened over ight when I wasn't even on the computer - working OK when I booted down one evening, and mucked up the following morning

The problem with working only through AOL is that there are some processes which seem to need IE being operative - downloading bank statements from my bank for instance, or updates for my antivirus (which, by now, must be very outdated).

I have even done complete re-format of my disc and re-installed from scratch, but still the problem is there.

I have a technician coming in todayto try to sort the problem - if he finds a solution I shall post it!

Gerald

What does winipcfg show as a gateway?

On my machine, the default gateway box is empty

IMM,
Under AOL Adapter the default gateway is listed as 172.166.84.112. Under the AOL Dial up Adapter it is blank.

Gerald,
I hope the technician is able to fix your problem. From what you say, it's imperative that IE work. As far as updating your antivirus, can you go to a site via AOL and manually download and update your dat files?

Here's one page of many I have looked at and tried (I didn't remove the Networking part because it confused me, but I did remove the dial up networking):

"Cannot view WebPages after I installed a new version of Internet Explorer or AOL
Description: When you upgrade to a newer version of Microsoft Internet Explorer or America Online (AOL), you may be unable to browse the Internet using Internet Explorer.
Last updated: January 12, 2003, Expires on July 13, 2003


When you upgrade to a newer version of Microsoft Internet Explorer or America Online (AOL), you may be unable to browse the Internet using Internet Explorer (including the version that comes with AOL) or you may receive the following error message:

This page cannot be displayed.

PROBLEM:

This behavior occurs because the Winsock2 registry key and TCP/IP stack are not updated after the upgrade

RESOLUTION/WORKAROUND:

To resolve this issue:

Document all the settings in Network properties for your LAN as well as for your Dial-Up Networking (DUN) connections.
Remove all network components (for example, adapters, clients, and so on):
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.
Select any network components listed, and then click Remove. NOTE: Do not restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.
Uninstall Dial-Up Networking:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
On the Windows Setup tab, clear the check box next to the Communications entry. NOTE: Do not restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.
Use Registry Editor to locate and remove the following registry key, and then restart the computer: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\winsock2
Click on Start Menu and choose [Run].
Type "regedit" (without quotes) and choose [OK].
On left side double click on "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE".
Double click on "system".
Double click on "currentcontrolset".
Double click on "services".
Click on "CurrentVersion".
Click the [Edit] menu and choose [Delete] NOTE: Editing the Windows Registry is not recommended and may result in damaging your Windows Operating System.

Copyright (c) 1998-99 Applications Development Group, IAT Services - University of Missouri, Columbia"

I have other things that I can post, but I'm hoping the tech will fix your problem. In the meanwhile, I tried using other local area codes to go through a different route and for 8 numbers I got either "the network failed to respond properly" or "the connection to AOLnet has been lost", so that's out. I called AOL. That was frustrating, one tech told me not to use those other area codes and she will send a report re my problem. I hope someone else does look into this. Another tech told me to reinstall IE6 over itself...I didn't care for that advice, and to d/l webutil7 which should fix the problem. I couldn't access it.

Here's an article I came across specific to AOL 6 (not good) and it mentions a utility to fix some problems (I also can't access that step5 at keyword).
http://www.isp-planet.com/news/aol_6.0_hell.html

Again, good luck and let me know how it works out.

Sincerely, Nancee

Don't use AOL myself,,but i've read in several places where version 5 was a pain in the b*tt. Upgrading seems to have solved many problems...

Hi Ridge,
After hearing all the horror stories about AOL 6 and 7, I've been reluctant to install Version 8. But I have heard some good things about it. Maybe I'll investigate that further and see if I can get a disk. Thanks.
Sincerely, Nancee

Nancee10

I have just seen your post with the list of instructions (including the registry) and I have tried them (I did back up the registry first).

No joy, upon restarting the computer and loggingon via AOL, the registry and everything was returned to what it had been before.

My tech bod was completely sstuck. He had never met anything like it and after about four hours gave up and didn't charge me a penny!

You have some more thoughts I woud beinterested in.

Gerald