TCP/IP on WiFi hosed, cannot connect to web on cable, DSL, or WiFi

[TallTravel]

System:

HP laptop with XP Media Edition,2 GB RAM, Ethernet (RJ45) and WiFi (B, G)

TCP/IP stack was corrupted by a bad deinstallation of Zone Alarm. I
have tried just about everything I know to reload the TCP/IP stack.

Laptop will not connect with the internet in any way: hard wired to
router, WiFi, 5 different known good internet connections. Friends
homes, known good DSL connections, known good home cable internet
connections, etc. Same result each tme: it times out and says internet is not available. I am looking for a sure fire method to reload the
TCP/IP stack.

I tried reloading TCP/IP from the system files, but since the system
doesn't think TCP/IP is even there, I cannot uninstall and then
install. Tried " netsh winsock reset catalog ", but that didn't work. I've done plenty more than this, I just don't recall all the steps I've tried. Clearly, nothing has worked. For the right person, this is just plain simple-for me, the rules are unknown...
:rolleyes:
Suggestions? I am in Phoenix, and if anyone can suggest a solid tech
to fix it, I'll drive it there....

Thanks.

[cszeto]

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?t=1893

You might try "System Restore," if this occurred recently, otherwise you might need to consider re-installing XP.

[TallTravel]

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?t=1893

You might try "System Restore," if this occurred recently, otherwise you might need to consider re-installing XP.

Thanks. Restore didn't work, even when I took it back to a point a full month before the event. I don't have the original disk, so reinstalling doesn't seem an option at this point. Since the original CD may be purchasable from HP, though, that may be an option in the next few weeks. I registered the purchase with HP when I purchased the item from a retailer, I wonder if I can simply buy another set of disks from HP directly?

[TallTravel]

I have spent a month trying to get this TCP/IP working again on this Windows XP system, and finallly decided to purchase replacement disks for Windows from HP, the manufacturer of my laptop. From what I understand I will have no choice but to reload Windows completely back to factory defaults.

Unless I am missing something, this will reload TCP/IP to a working version, correct? Other than backing up my system for all the data, is there anything I need do to get my system up and running again?

Any relevant details I need to have before reinstalling Windows XP?
Will I end up installing SP 1, 2, and 3 individually?

[cszeto]

System "Restore" media from the manufacturers can go either way...

1. Is a full version of the XP which can be utilized to repair, upgrade or re-install (more rare these days)
2. Is a "factory image" restore which will may reformat the hard drive back to the same state when the system was initially unboxed

If the manufacturer did not include the actual media (e.g. disks), then there may be a partition on the hard drive which will perform the tasks or allow the disks to be made. The manufacturer may also make the 1st option available, if the system only shipped with the 2nd option.

None of this has anything to do with networking and the manufacturer will have the definitive answers as to what you have versus your available options.