[Rivera42]

I removed something called Yahoo Installer Helper* through add and remove programs, and suddenly lost internet connectivity. The service itself is right there; i'm using wifi and my networks are all displayed as usual, in fact I'm on my other laptop right now and the very same internet connection is working perfectly (obv!)
The attachments button isn't working, so with apologies I am posting the c&p's of some of Event Viewer's entries.

error log.
Event Type: Error
Event Source: ipnathlp
Event Category: None
Event ID: 32003
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 2:49:51 AM
User: N/A
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
The Network Address Translator (NAT) was unable to request an operation of the kernel-mode translation module. This may indicate misconfiguration, insufficient resources, or an internal error. The data is the error code.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 1f 00 00 00 ....

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: WinDefend
Event Category: None
Event ID: 3004
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 2:43:31 AM
User: N/A
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
Windows Defender Real-Time Protection agent has detected changes. Microsoft recommends you analyze the software that made these changes for potential risks. You can use information about how these programs operate to choose whether to allow them to run or remove them from your computer. Allow changes only if you trust the program or the software publisher. Windows Defender can't undo changes that you allow.
For more information please see the following:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=74409
Scan ID: {0D353612-D65B-438F-9BAB-FCAD14DC24B0}
User: DATELINE420\Dateline 420 Online
Name: Unknown
ID:
Severity: Not Yet Classified
Category: Not Yet Classified
Path Found: file:C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{D8E363A7-88B7-446D-B2C0-E26CE4DC8E54}\_294823.exe;file:C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\LaunchU3.exe.lnk;startup:C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\LaunchU3.exe.lnk
Alert Type: Unclassified software
Detection Type:

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: ipnathlp
Event Category: None
Event ID: 32003
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 2:49:51 AM
User: N/A
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
The Network Address Translator (NAT) was unable to request an operation of the kernel-mode translation module. This may indicate misconfiguration, insufficient resources, or an internal error. The data is the error code.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 1f 00 00 00 ....


Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Server
Event Category: None
Event ID: 2504
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 2:49:59 AM
User: N/A
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
The server could not bind to the transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{E313496C-48E8-411A-9D94-D340D83E9213}.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: aa 05 00 00 ª...


Event Type: Warning
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1001
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 1:33:05 AM
User: NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
Detection of product '{945AC98B-3DC8-45BE-BAE0-22CEEE37A103}', feature 'QuickCam' failed during request for component '{3BBB8098-03C8-48DC-AA83-9B2159E12E0D}'

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Event Type: Information
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 11728
Date: 5/14/2008
Time: 2:43:36 AM
User: DATELINE420\Dateline 420 Online
Computer: DATELINE420
Description:
Product: U3Launcher -- Configuration completed successfully.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 7b 44 38 45 33 36 33 41 {D8E363A
0008: 37 2d 38 38 42 37 2d 34 7-88B7-4
0010: 34 36 44 2d 42 32 43 30 46D-B2C0
0018: 2d 45 32 36 43 45 34 44 -E26CE4D
0020: 43 38 45 35 34 7d C8E54}

Thanks for taking the time to scroll down.

Meanwhile. "Dell Network Assistant has successfully connected you to the Access Point '[network name here]'. The application has also determined that you have a valid IP address and that you currently have access to the Internet."
And at the same time, in other programs:
"This program cannot display the webpage. Most likely causes..."

The Dell Automated PC Tuneup standalone offers a "Network Connection Repair" wizard that apparently repairs the Winsock provider. According to the utility this winsock item might have something to do with the install/uninstall of that Yahoo item.

Worst of all - I Bluetoothed that error log from the other laptop to this one, and immediately after doing so, the Bluetooth LAN dropped out and won't return. Something about "service not found." This never happened before.

*Actually, while I'm pretty sure this was the name of the program, I'm not 100% positive.

[Rivera42]

Somehow, Dell's Network Repair Wizard fixed things. I'm posting this from the afflicted laptop.

Here's the thing: We know it wasn't my wireless, since I opened this thread using a TEN YEAR OLD IBM on the same wifi connection that I use with this one.

What I really need to understand here is why this happened, and how to prevent it, as the situation itself appears resolved. How can something Yahoo knock out my connectivity? And when I say fully, I do mean fully. No updates for the security software, no Weatherbug, no Windows Update. Nada.

And how in the world did this happen through add/remove? Isn't there supposed to be some sort of failsafe in place?

[Rivera42]

This issue isn't fixed. Firefox works, Weatherbug works, and I'm watching a live DVD-quality video stream on VLC media player as I type this.

However, Internet Explorer and Firefox's IE Tab, for all intents and purposes, aren't working. "Connection Timeout" and "Cannot Display The Webpage" errors, and this charmer from Windows Update:

"The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view. The options provided below might help you solve the problem.
For self-help options:

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Solutions

Windows Update Newsgroup
For assisted support options:

Microsoft Online Assisted Support (no-cost for Windows Update issues)

Read more about steps you can take to resolve this problem (error number 0x80072EE7) yourself. "

So obviously the problem is not fixed. Error#0x80072EE7 regards the Hosts file, but mine's supposed to be locked by my security apps. Any suggestions?

[Rivera42]

msconfig>services tab indicates "computer browser" service is "stop pending." That doesn't sound right to me, but then again I wouldn't know, which is why I'm here..

[awatson]

I don't think computer browser has anything to do with it - I believe that's something to do with LANs. The fact that only IE doesn't work seems like its the culprit.

What version of IE are you using? One thing to try would be to make sure your security settings aren't interfering, or that it's set up to use a proxy or something.

[Rivera42]

I use IE7 with the IEPro extension, and I have all my security and privacy settings at the Medium-High level or higher. I don't use a proxy, and where any of my applications have an option to auto-detect, this option is enabled.

[Rivera42]

New variation of the same problem. I have a connection from the wireless adapter to the router, but none of my applications can access the Internet.

Today I had installed, in the following order, Adobe AIR, Xdrive Lite and Xdrive Desktop, which also installs the Microsoft Loopback Adapter. I have used this software on my other, older laptop with no issues.

The software installed and appeared to be functioning properly, although it hung and crashed during upload several times. It also crashed Windows Explorer a number of times.

I closed the program and went back to browsing the Web. After several hours, I suddenly and for no discernible reason lost connectivity. I've tried to use Dell Network Assistant and Windows WZC to fix the connection. DNA reports a "broken routing table" or some such thing, but claims to have repaired it. Yet my trouble persists.

Needless to say, I've uninstalled the Xdrive apps (which actually did work when I had them on the older machine) and the AIR. Loopback adapter appears to be gone as well.

What can have happened, and how can I fix?

Currently I'm running System File Checker in the hope it helps.