I keep having my Internet connection broken (see 131588 and 126776), even after using Firefox and not IE (although IE is still installed), installed Antivir Grisoft, the XP Pro SP2 Firewall, and Lavasoft Adaware. I suspect the malware enters through messenger. We use no emule and visit no "strange" webs. More or less every day, the antivir detects a trojan in the local configuration\temp directory... so there must be something "sleeping" in my computer I would like to know if there is a way to know what is "broken": tcp/ip, registry, physical cable, winsock,.... instead of trying every time a battery of remedies that, finally, gets the Internet connection fixed.... until the following day.... Is there any way to "protect" messenger from malware??? thanks thanks santiago

System Restore option in Windows Me/XP http://www.augustana.ab.ca/other/cns/virus/ http://www.adamtj.org/repository/howto/W32.Blaster.Worm/ Users of Windows Me and Windows XP should temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer. Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file onto your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations. Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat. For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles: How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam

thanks Unfortunately, system restore worked once in fixing the internet connection, but never again... I was trying to "reduce" the scope of the problem by knowing what piece of the system is damaged (as I said, winsock, tcp/ip, and so on...). Now I am trying here and there to fix things until I am lucky.. But it happens so often (2 or 3 times a week) that I should learn where to check. thanks thanks santiago

"so there must be something "sleeping" in my computer" Not to sure if you got the main point of my post . It was to turn off System Restore , thereby cleaning it out . Maybe that is where your sleeper was . Now run all your cleaners & once clean , turn System Restore back on . Select the drive with the operating system on , click Settings & set it on Min . Any other drive or partitions , click Settings & tick > Turn off System Restore on this drive . Once I know that is OK & you are still having problems , shall then try other things .

On second thoughts , here is some extra info . XP TCP/IP Repair http://www.xp-smoker.com/freeware.html http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

Mmmm, I see now, you recommended to turn System Restore off as an additional measure. Thanks , I will try. I will use the Microsoft KB article, too I already have the xptcprep, but apparently, it didn't make any difference. How can I detect if the physical connection (the physical cable that goes from the router to the phone-plug on the wall) is broken or not??? thanks santiago