"Page cannot be displayed" WinMe/IE6sp1

[alabutler]

When I started working on this system, the modem would not connect, so I replaced the modem. That allowed me to connect. When I try to open a web page I get "This page cannot be displayed" and at the bottom of the page it reads "res://C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCLC.DLL/dnserror.html"

I have followed all MS advisories; have run stinger to check for current viruses; downloaded and ran adaware 6, which cleaned up some references; ran lspfix and a couple other utilities that fix the winsock2; checked for newdotnet and webhancer; removed AOL and AIM; reinstalled ME; of course, started by deleting temporary internet files, cookies and history PLUS all *.tmp and ~*.* files in the temp folder.

Friends, this one has me stumped. I followed a thread posted by grandam and it sort of petered out before offering a resolution. Short of reformatting, anybody got an idea?

[NooNoo]

When I started working on this system, the modem would not connect, so I replaced the modem. That allowed me to connect. When I try to open a web page I get This page cannot be displayed and at the top of the page it says res://C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCLC.DLL/dnserror.html.

I have followed all MS advisories; have run stinger to check for current viruses; downloaded and ran adaware 6, which cleaned up some references; run lspfix and a couple other utilities that fix the winsock2; checked for newdotnet and webhancer; removed AOL and AIM; reinstalled ME; of course, started by deleting temporary internet files, cookies and history PLUS all *.tmp and ~*.* files in the temp folder.

Friends, this one has me stumped. I followed a thread posted by grandam and it sort of petered out. Short of reformatting, anybody got an idea?

Sounds like you have tried most things. Have you checked it is only a dns error?
If you type in http://216.239.59.99 what do you get?

I felt a right prat the other day, when I had a similar problem - it turned out the dialup adapter was corrupt.

Turn off system restore.
..
Go to safe mode, control panel, add/remove, windows setup... uncheck everything under communications. Apply, do not reboot, go to networking, remove ALL items under networking, do not reboot. Go to system, check that all network adapters are gone and remove the modem(s). Check under ports for related ports (that is remove anything that is not to do with physical ports). Reboot - straight back into safe mode, check the above have gone and also check in the registry under the enum key the modem and dialup adapter have been removed. Physically remove the modem and any network adapters, (onboard disable in bios)

Reboot to normal model, control panel, add/remove, windows setup, go into communications and ONLY check dialup networking, nothing else. Allow it to install, reboot when requested. Shut down, add back the modem and allow it to install. Set up dialup networking to call an isp that does not require a separate software install. It should now work *cross fingers*.

Part of the problem could be AOL uninstall or lack of, if it doesn't work, backup the registry and kill any keys to do with AOL and any AOL files on the hard disk - please note, killing AOL this way can toast the machine completely, so make sure you have full backups.

Good luck!

[alabutler]

Sounds like you have tried most things. Have you checked it is only a dns error?
If you type in http://216.239.59.99 what do you get?

I get the same result. Also pinging any URL including the ISP's domain yield no response. Only get response when pinging localhost (127.0.0.1). I will try your recommendation and let you know. Thanks!

[Ruslan]

I would check for viruses... also network/internet settings...

[Gollo]

It's WinME what do you expect

I think it's time for a reinstall.

[alabutler]

I forgot to cross my fingers!

Followed every step except above to the letter with same result. Yeah, it's probably time to reformat and start over. Have considered one "last-stab" try at using IEradicate. Any thoughts on this utility????

Thanks everyone. Will let you all know if regenning does the trick.

[NooNoo]

eradicate is great! - but using it on ME can be dodgy.... but you have nothing to lose...

quicker would be to download opera or mozilla and see what they make of the situation, if they work, then it is an ie problem and not your tcp/ip stack that is toast.

[TripleRLtd]

So, you are using AOL and dialup I presume?
Gollo, he has already reinstalled.
What version of AOhell?
Check to see, as NooNoo advises whether it IS and IE problem.
Also, check the following MSKB article:
Cannot Browse the Internet Using Internet Explorer While Connected to AOL (Q238550)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];238550

[arch0nmyc0n]

Whenever I get a problem like that I do sorta what NooNoo suggested and try connecting to a IP address either using IE to access a webpage or using ping to see if I can resolve an address from a domain name. Nine times out of ten, I can usually go to IPs but not to domain names. I assume something with the DNS resolver isn't functioning correctly. I've seen this hundreds of times on Windows 98 (not sure if it functions the same on ME). Back when we first started encountering the problem, the senior tech at the place I worked was stumped. We looked ALL OVER microsofts website and all over the net for a solution, we even tried here. Nobody knew how to fix it. So most of the time it resulted in a format and reload (and NooNoo, I tried an install over the top here and it just messed things up more. :P ). But one day LaserChips (The senior tech) came up with a crazy off the wall idea. (and this is the fix) We went into windows and removed ALL networking devices. And initially we went into the registry and removed ALL sorts of entries having to do with networking. However, over time we've come down to one specific area. (I'm on a winxp machine so I can't be sure if this is it EXACTLY) Local Machine-System-Current Control Set- and delete both winsock and winsock2 folders... reboot and redetect hardware and/or install dialup adapter. And that's it. So it went from a few hours to a 5 minute fix. Laserchips submitted an email to microsoft some weeks later and they now have a more in depth solution somewhere on their support site... damned if I know where it is tho... :P but you can try that... sorry about the "story" feel of my response but I just like telling that story...

[TripleRLtd]

For the most part archO, this is the solution that NooNoo has already provided.

[arch0nmyc0n]

True... but you don't need to go into safe mode or remove communications (he doesn't mention and registry edits) or anything like that... at least from my experience... but then again with ME who knows... so I just offered my story as an alternative route perhaps shedding a bit more light on the subject... I find multiple explainations help best

[arch0nmyc0n]

... and besides, like I said, I enjoy telling that story... :P

[TripleRLtd]

True... but you don't need to go into safe mode or remove communications (he doesn't mention and registry edits)

Safe mode is simply the best way to do it to make sure.
And, when done that way it is effectively "editing the registry" since those parts will be removed and reinstalled.
NooNoo also DOES edit the registry:

check the above have gone and also check in the registry under the enum key the modem and dialup adapter have been removed.

But, if you like telling the story: go for it!!!
PS
""Butt kissing mode:"""
NooNoo is a she and a Mum with children and a demanding job which she does quite well I might add!!

[arch0nmyc0n]

Safe mode is simply the best way to do it to make sure.
And, when done that way it is effectively "editing the registry" since those parts will be removed and reinstalled.
NooNoo also DOES edit the registry:
But, if you like telling the story: go for it!!!
PS
""Butt kissing mode:"""
NooNoo is a she and a Mum with children and a demanding job which she does quite well I might add!!

I suppose for techs who have the luxury of some extra time, sure.... I've never had the occasion to do it that way with win98 as my solutions suffices fine and dandy... as for ME maybe you have to do it that way, but I'll never know seeing as I never touch ME unless I have to... but again, mine is a boiled down version of Noonoo's solution... the problem usually lies within what I've mentioned... all the extra stuff is just something more I'd have to charge the customer for, and it's never failed me in 98... besides, saying "Just wait here a minute", going in the back, doing what I said, coming back out and saying "fixed" and making them think I'm some sort of hero, is always a really good thing for my usually boring tech days... if I did it the other way I couldn't get that small ray of sunshine in my usually bleak days...BUT I will attempt HER (Noonoo's) solution if it ever fails me or I have the same problem with ME... but ME is a rather rare curse around here...

and Noonoo if you read this... I didn't realize... my appologies for refering to you as a guy... just goes to show how many tech women I've seen :P Yer name doesn't happen to be Pauli or something like that does it?

[alabutler]

Wellllllllllllllll! I really appreciate the convergance of opinions.
Just tried ieradicate which (predictably) caused more problems. Also discovered that when I reinstalled Me IE 5.5 was reinstalled as well. Now IE6 will not install. I'm really leaning towards slashing my wrists, but hate the sight of blood.