Internet connection problem

[Greebo]

Since this morning my main PC won't load webpages or email, or connect via ftp or to AH online. I can ping however, using both numerical and written addresses. The PC is using Windows XP. I've tried disabling the firewall and have run a virus check and been through the connection settings umpteen times. I've not loaded anything or changed any settings since last night when it was working fine.

My internet connection is through ethernet to a Zyxel 643 ADSL router which has two other PCs connected it. Both of these PCs are still working fine, I'm writing this on one of them. The ISP says there are no problems at their end.

Anyone got any ideas? I've been all day on this and have got nowhere.

[Greebo]

OK, I found out what is was. Windows Update installed a security patch last night called KB 951748. Apparently this can cause your internet connection to stop working. I uninstalled the patch and everything is OK again. Thank you Microsoft for a wasted day.

[Skuzzy]

You mean you really had automatic updates running?  That is like leaving the door of your home open with a moving van sitting in front of it, with the keys in it, and putting up signs all over the neighborhood stating, "I am not home and the truck is ready to go!".

[dentin]

You mean you really had automatic updates running?  That is like leaving the door of your home open with a moving van sitting in front of it, with the keys in it, and putting up signs all over the neighborhood stating, "I am not home and the truck is ready to go!".

Excellent analogy...and all this time I thought admins had no sense of humor. 

[SPKmes]

I believe there is a reason for that security patch which involved all of the internet. You may want to be sure of what you have removed. Can remember where I saw it but involved the internet switchboard so to speak.

[Getback]

You mean you really had automatic updates running?  That is like leaving the door of your home open with a moving van sitting in front of it, with the keys in it, and putting up signs all over the neighborhood stating, "I am not home and the truck is ready to go!".

Ouch!

Yep same issue, I turned off my AV.

[bustr]

From Broadband reports.com:

MS update KB951748 and ZoneAlarm --- PROBLEM

For those of you using ZoneAlarm who installed the windows updates today, you probably already know that your internet connection has died. It appears that KB951748 made changes to the networking files that ZA doesn't see/recognize.

After two hours of messing around, I found an inelegant solution that will work temporarily ... set the Internet Zone Security permission slider from high to medium. The connection will be restored.

I discovered this after I finally figured out ZA was blocking my internet connections, and turned it off. Once everything worked again as normal, I started playing around and hit on this lowered permission setting.

I imagine the ZA forum will be full of better solutions, but thought this would get you back up and running in the short term.

[Getback]

From Broadband reports.com:

MS update KB951748 and ZoneAlarm --- PROBLEM

For those of you using ZoneAlarm who installed the windows updates today, you probably already know that your internet connection has died. It appears that KB951748 made changes to the networking files that ZA doesn't see/recognize.

After two hours of messing around, I found an inelegant solution that will work temporarily ... set the Internet Zone Security permission slider from high to medium. The connection will be restored.

I discovered this after I finally figured out ZA was blocking my internet connections, and turned it off. Once everything worked again as normal, I started playing around and hit on this lowered permission setting.

I imagine the ZA forum will be full of better solutions, but thought this would get you back up and running in the short term.

That worked for me. Thanks