Starting several days ago, my computer hasn't been able to connect to the internet- after "auto-update"

Question

My computer restarted at 2:54 am, because my dog barked and it woke me up, and also when I try to restart the computer, my weatherbug is stuck at that time too. I'm on a home network, but I'm directly connected to the router. The other computer on the network is fine. The ethernet cord is new, and i checked it for tears. My computer says it's connected, but it's not. Please help!

Answer 1

try this

Slow computer  IE freezes

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Note:  only have to do Safe mode if the files will not delete in normal mode.  Try normal first.

Slowly tap the F8 key while the computer is powering up

Just after Verifying DMI files occurs the F8 key will point the computer to a menu where safe mode can be selected.

Note if you mistakenly tap F8 key again, it will continue through to normal boot

Scroll and select safe mode with network

Use explorer to delete the contents of the folder datastore.

Datastore can be found in c:\windows\softwaredistribution.

The folder rebuilds itself and the contents are to do with windows updates and logs for errors.  There is no harm in deleting the contents.

Reboot.

IE7

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Over time IE7 seems to set its own (or programs do) tick boxes in the advance tab.

In IE7 Tools >Internet Options >Advance Tab

Click Restore advance settings defaults button.

Then scroll the listings down to near the bottom and:

Tick empty temp files when browser closes (this empties the cache, which if not empty, will stop you from going online).

Bullet disable phishing filter (optional. Leave it on if you want that type of protection, usually for financial data like internet banking)

Delete Browser History, cookies, add ons,  the whole lot regularly.

Close the browser to set the settings.