unable to access the internet

[pappajacks]

For some reason, I am unable to access the internet. Each time I double click on the IE icon, a blank page opens with the message "detecting proxy settings" on the bottom left corner of the page (where the word "Done" is suppost to be). I was told to go in internet options, then to connections then to LAN settings then to uncheck "automatically detect settings", which I did. Now each time I try to open IE, the same blank page appears, this time with no message on the bottom left corner.

 

When I try to close the window, the message "this program is not responding" (with a picture of IE with a yellow exclamation point) appears.

 

I have had this problem since Friday, after I downloaded the AVG anti-virus program and ran a virus scan on my computer.

 

BTW, I have Windows XP.

 

What can I do to solve this problem?

[Matt Young]

So how'd you get here, then?

 

If the problem is only IE, maybe you should use another browser. I recently converted to Mozilla FireFox, and it is great.

[Secret Agent]

That really doesn't fix the problem though. Usually this problem is a direct result of spyware. I'd suggest the Winsock XP Fix for this.

 

Try that and see if it works.

 

Also, unlike popular belief, AVG sucks. Get rid of it. I'd go with Norton as paying for that program is far cheaper than paying to have stuff fixed from not having it.