Can't connect to Internet though email works fine

ukmaggie45

Apologies for length of post, want to give as much info as possible.

On 10 September we were at our caravan, where I have a different ISP to here at home. Windows 7 on my desktop did an update in the evening, so I closed down computer. Next morning had no Internet via Chrome, but my email was coming in fine via Thunderbird, and could even get the remote items stuff (pictures etc) fine in Thunderbird. I tried internet with Internet Explorer and couldn't get online with that either. Re-booted wireless modem, and computer, tried again, still no luck. Also tried hard wiring it in too, no luck. At that point had to stop as needed to finish packing so we could get home as I had dentist appointment :eek: on the 12th.

Tried internet again when we got home, and it's exactly the same. email via Thunderbird is working, but no internet access via Chrome or IE. Tried resetting Chrome. Still no luck. Tried restoring to before the Windows 7 update, still no luck.

When I try and check my internet connection via the look for problems thingy in Windows it tells me there are no problems and I'm connected.

My ISP at home is Virgin Media.

I'd been intending to get a new laptop for some months now (just been a bit slow on deciding what! ), so bit the bullet on Saturday, and that's what I'm using now. It seems to be working fine. But I'd really like to get my desktop up and running again as it's in the living room, and laptop in bedroom. Yeah, I know I could take it downstairs to use, but not much space to use it downstairs because of the other computers (not to mention 2 printers as well! )

OH has his desktop connected direct to modem and that's working fine (Windows 7). I use the wireless connection. I've done my best to compare settings between his and my desktops, but they all look the same to me. But I'm not an expert!

Any ideas? It just seems stupid that my email is coming through and remote content in email comes through, but 2 browsers don't work. I'm beginning to hate that dinosaur that comes up in Chrome when it says Can't connect!

[Deleted User]

Sounds like a firewall problem.

Try temporarily disabling the firewall.

ukmaggie45

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Sounds like a firewall problem.

Try temporarily disabling the firewall.

I did check the firewall, and Chrome is allowed. But I'll go back downstairs in a bit and give that a try. Thank you!

spongebobbrownpants

Do as bob said, switch the windows firewall off and try again, this will quickly prove if it's blocking the access.

If it is check that you don't have any rules setup blocking ports 80 and 443.

ukmaggie45

spongebobbrownpants wrote: »

Do as bob said, switch the windows firewall off and try again, this will quickly prove if it's blocking the access.

If it is check that you don't have any rules setup blocking ports 80 and 443.

Turning firewall off made no difference.

Sorry it took me a while to get back - had a wasp fly in and spent an hour trying to get it out and then panicking when it chased me so got a bit distracted!

Thanks for your further suggestion. Where should I look for rules about ports? Will have a bit of a look after tea, at least I'm not to afraid to try and search around. About all you can say for my capabilities! :rotfl:

I do apologise for being so useless - I'm just a computer user with little understanding other than basics (like try re-booting and simple stuff like that).

Oh, I did run a full anti-virus scan right back at the beginning of my probs, forgot to mention that before. Didn't really expect it to come up with anything, it didn't, but best to double check I felt.

[Deleted User]

Ping a website (Google will do), to confirm you aren't blocked in some way.

kwikbreaks

If it isn't the firewall or specific browser then it's rather puzzling. One thing sticks out though...

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Windows 7 on my desktop did an update in the evening, so I closed down computer.

I'd suggest you use system restore to roll out the update and see if that sorts it out.

spongebobbrownpants

If turning off the firewall made no difference then no point looking for rules around ports 80 (http) and 443 (https). Windows 7 has a troubleshooting tool in the control panel -> Network and internet -> network and sharing centre that will check for common problems, try running this first.

ukmaggie45

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Ping a website (Google will do), to confirm you aren't blocked in some way.

I don't think I can do that, as can't get access to Google, no access to internet. Only have email via Thunderbird.

kwikbreaks wrote: »

If it isn't the firewall or specific browser then it's rather puzzling. One thing sticks out though...

I'd suggest you use system restore to roll out the update and see if that sorts it out.

Thanks. I tried that already, it didn't work.

spongebobbrownpants wrote: »

If turning off the firewall made no difference then no point looking for rules around ports 80 (http) and 443 (https). Windows 7 has a troubleshooting tool in the control panel -> Network and internet -> network and sharing centre that will check for common problems, try running this first.

Thanks, after I asked about the port stuff I realised that you had said about to check that *if* internet worked when I turned off firewall. Doh! I think the wasp thing turned my brain off. Mind you it seems my brain is turned off most of the time at the mo

I used that so-called troubleshooting tool from the start of all this stuff... It constantly tells me there is no problem, and that I am connected to the internet. I suppose in one way it's correct - I have email, and even the remote access within emails. But I still can't access a single website via Chrome or Internet Explorer - just get the Cant access the internet message in both.

[Deleted User]

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

I don't think I can do that, as can't get access to Google, no access to internet.

You don't need access to Google, to ping it.

That's the point in pinging it, to determine if there is a connection.

ukmaggie45

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You don't need access to Google, to ping it.

That's the point in pinging it, to determine if there is a connection.

I'll try that in the morning - tucked up in bed with laptop now.

But... I know I have the internet connection anyway, as I have email and also the remote stuff like photos. I have an email come in from Flickr every day, and the thumbnail photos are always there, so I don't see how they could get in if I didn't have a connection?

I am losing the will to live over this stuff. I hate Microsnot and curse it to be eaten up by demons. :rotfl: This is all taking up so much time out of my life, and also out of all of yours too. I'd like to have a ceremonial bonfire of desktop to be honest, but can't as it's too full of toxic chemicals. Aaarrrgghhh.