network/internet connectivity problem

[KBR1]

System info:
HP DV6700 Notebook
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 32 bit
AMD Turion 64x2, 2ghz processor, 3gb Ram

I don't have the original Vista install CD or a recovery CD from HP,
I do have the RECOVERY partition on my hard drive, not sure of any corruption there.

Didnt really notice when it happened, been stored for about a month, worked fine prior to storage (in case in study).
I cannot connect to my "home network", comes up with "unidentified network" ip address 169.254.247.75

Noticed within the NIC adapter Properties that "Client for Microsoft Networks" Client is not installed,
tried installing,
following message appears:
Could not add the requested feature. The error is: The remote procedure call failed

The only service/protocols present are:
1. File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
2. Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder
3. Link-Layer Topology Discover Mapper I/O Driver
4. Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

Same goes for nic and wireless adapter.

Thought that perhaps AVG 2011 or Norton 360 were causing the problems:
ran uninstall AVG from Bleeping Computer,
ran Norton_Removal_Tool.exe from Symantec's website
still no internet access or home network.

Thought of running Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, maybe a virus got through,
which I've had installed prior to this but the definitions are out of date now
and I don't have internet access to update, same holds true for my SuperAntiSpyware Edition.

Tried the MiniToolBox to flush/reset settings, to no avail.

Under msinfo32>components>network>winsock were empty,
ran winsockfix.exe hoping to solve problem, it filled in the following below:
c:\windows\system32\winsock.dll (ver 3.10.0.103)
c:\windows\system32\wsock32.dll ver 6.0.6001.1800)

Did notice under msinfo32>components>network>Protocol that I have:
6ea MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{all have misc letters & numbers}], and
14ea MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip6_{all have misc letters & numbers}],
except the corresponding SEQPACKET to DATAGRAM lines are the same misc letters & number combinations.

Didnt noticed any of the following, according to microsoft's website (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811259),
should have these under protocol section:
MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IPv6]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IPv6]

Tried resetting winsock with the "netsh winsock reset " command, still nothing,
Tried resetting the tcp/ip stack with the "netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt command, some more nothing...

Downloaded newer NIC & Wireless adapter driver from HP, same problem.

Also, there is NO hosts file

Tried ping to internet ip following error occurs:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231
Does PING to local 127.0.0.1 tho, hooray!

Any suggestions would be appreciated, I've been researching, trying different avenues for about a week now,
really would like to get this laptop fixed without doing a restore.
Thanks for your help in advance.


PS just FYI, not sure whether it's realated or not?

Tried your Windows Repair Program, I keep getting an error for any repair options that I execute.
Microsoft Windows "Window":
Execute processes remotely has stopped working
Close program (is the only option)

under STEP 2: Check Disc... same error
under STEP 4: Erunt Backup... same error

tried re-downloading, same error...

[Shane]

The system is hosed lol

A lot of registry keys are missing from the fact that so many things are missing and not working. The registry is the hive mind of Windows, when it goes the system will go with it.

I don't think it was a virus. It is possible. But the point of 99% of viruses out there is to make money. So killing the internet on the machine would defeat that point. Not to mention you would normally have some fake program popping up in your face trying to get your credit card info.

You should do a repair install before a fresh install. A repair install will keep all your programs and settings. If it doesn't fix it then a fresh reinstall is the last option.

Couple of things to do first.

1. If it wasnt a virus that killed the system then it was hardware. Do a chkdsk on the hard drive, make sure to have it check for bad sectors.
It would make sense if it is bad sectors as part of the registry could be on a bad sector, thus corrupting those reg keys.

2. If the drive tests fine then a repair install is the next thing to do.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Now since you dont have a vista cd then you will need to download one off the net. It is ok to do this because you own vista, you have a key for it on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Your just getting your hands on the install disk.

Shane

[KBR1]

Thanks Shane for the info.

I do have a Vista Ultimate CD, will that still work for my laptop Home Premium?

If not, is there a work around?

[Shane]

It might, my cd I have has a list of each version on it to choose from. You can start yours to see if it has a list to choose which version, then you can choose home premium.

If it doesnt then you need to get one off the net.

Shane

[KBR1]

created new admin account.

ran chkdsk, errors were found and fixed.

all my services and protocols showed back up on each of my adapters (nic and wireless)

tried "windows repair", same ip 169.254.60.xxx came back after reboot

just for fun, i manually changed nic adapter's ip to 192.168.15.20/0 gate & dns: 192.168.15.1,
same thing...unidentified network!
checked cable with nic tester=ok, also changed cable just in case!

selected wireless adapter on dhcp & it connects...
but when ie starts it comes up with a "window installer" window, "preparing to install"
stays open for about 2 minutes, then just closes.
Not sure what it's trying to install, just stays blank, then disappears.
Happens on any link selected or any website selected, even upon closing IE.

I was able to update Malwarebyte's & Super AntiSpyware, both were run on complete scan,
came back with no virus's found, did clean all cookies and temp files.

any more suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

[Shane]

When you see the Windows installer come up it is trying to restore a file it thinks needs to be there.

Very annoying. Happens sometimes when you uninstall software and the installer didnt remove properly.

Try this tool
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Windows-Installer-CleanUp-Utility.shtml

Use it to remove any entries on old programs you no longer have installed.

Also on the system still not getting an IP. This depends on the services. Go to the services and sort by startup type. Look at all the automatics. Do you have any that are set to auto but are not running?

Shane