Internet Explorer stopped working...

Went through the usual routine:

- cleared cache
- cleared cookies
- deleted temp files on computer (hey, ya never know)
- moved the cache to a new directory

Didn't help, so then:

- set security level to low
- checked through advanced properties
- reset all default settings for IE
- parsed through the add-ins for IE, and disabled them all

Still no help, so:

- re-installed IE by using right click, "Install" on IE.inf inside c:\windows\inf

No workie still, so ...

- deleted network connection (even though all other apps connected fine)
- re-created new connection, set it inside IE's connection bar
- double checked all connection settings inside that tab

Blah, no joy... so ...

- opened TCPView (free util), and IE is not even trying to get a TCP/IP stack for a connection

And still doesn't work. IE is kinda useless with Firefox around anyhow, but curious what other steps anyone recommends.

And:

- no, a proxy isn't set
- no, VPN isn't enabled
- yes, it's a direct connection to my router, no weird network settings
- no, the firewall isn't blocking it, IE isn't opening a TCP/IP channel at all to even reach it yet
- yes, I tried totally disabling the firewall
- yes, port 80 works on my machine, Firefox and Opera function perfectly
- no, Work Offline isn't checked
- no, no Add-Ons are currently enabled
- no, I don't have a virus or worm
- no, I don't have a dead IExplore.exe instance in memory
- yes, I rebooted my computer several times
- yes, IE works on other computers connected to the same router
- no, the ports are not blocked in my router's config, nor are they being redirected to other ports
- yes, I forced the IP of this lone computer with the issue address to be changed to ensure no weird settings were in my router
- yes, I also completely disconnected the router and IE still doesn't work
- yes, the site I'm trying to reach in IE exists and is up. In fact, I tried many sites
- yes, the Telephony service, and the other 2 that IE requires for network diddling are enabled and started Automatically when Windows starts
- yes, I restarted the browser on each fix attempt

SO ...

Any ideas?

Reinstall?

You may have already done this, but take a look in Internet Options > Connections tab > LAN Settings button. Make sure none of the options are selected, close IE then open it and see if it connects. If it doesn't, in the same area try selecting Automatically Detect Settings, close, open (wash rinse repeat ).

You may also want to run the Internet Connection Wizard (Internet Options > Connections tab > Setup button).

Yeah already tried those, didn't work.

I may just totally ignore IE... I never use it, other than windows update. And the automatic Windows update util works just fine without it, so giving up seems the best option.

if you do this, your AV and Anti-Spyware will have nothing to find anymore.

you didn't try System Restore. not that I am Alan or anything...

I disable that on all my machines. Good backups make system restore unnecessary (usually).

what error are u getting when you try opening a site? page not found? server not found?

//krunk (^_^x)

maybe i'm stupid, but I still find IE useful in cases where i need to frequently clear cookies and cache. Then I can still keep everything alive in Firefox.

Also, I use IE when I'm shopping and want to automatically fill in one-time-use #'s from Citi...the program won't work with Firefox.

No error, it just hangs there, trying to connect forever.

I just started it up an hour ago to let it finally time out and provide an error (I have "friendly error messages" disabled). And it's still trying to connect, yet no port is open in TCPView.