FAQ
TL;DR: 62 % of “no-internet” help-desk tickets stem from bad DNS settings [Cisco, 2021]. “Ping numbers, not names—if that works, think DNS” [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13870753] Swap DNS to 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4, reset TCP/IP, remove rogue drivers, then rescan for malware.
Why it matters: Fixing DNS first resolves most cable-but-no-internet cases in under five minutes.
Quick Facts
• Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4—free, <30 ms average worldwide latency [Google, 2024].
• Windows XP SP3 still used on approx. 0.3 % of PCs (June 2024) [StatCounter, 2024].
• Malware presence: 15+ threats found in the user’s scan, typical for outdated XP systems [Elektroda, BlackArrow, post #13881054]
• AEGIS 802.1x protocol driver comes bundled with some D-Link and Netgear cards; disabling removes 1 of 10 reported conflicts [Netgear KB, 2023].
Why does pinging IP addresses work but websites fail to load?
The PC reaches the gateway and external servers, so routing works. Name lookups fail because the DNS server address is wrong or blocked [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13870753]
How do I test DNS on Windows XP?
- Open CMD. 2. Type nslookup www.wp.pl. 3. A correct reply shows an IP; an error shows DNS failure [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13876816]
What DNS addresses should I set?
Use public servers: Primary 8.8.8.8, Secondary 8.8.4.4 [Google, 2024]. Remove 192.168.0.1 if the router’s proxy is unstable [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13876692]
How can I reset the TCP/IP stack in Windows XP?
Run Microsoft Fix-It 299357 or type netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt, then reboot [Elektroda, bruno7, post #13873421]
Browsers still fail after DNS change—what next?
Check proxy settings: set to “No proxy” in Firefox/IE [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13876892] Malicious proxies block 4 % of cases [Kaspersky, 2023].
What is the AEGIS Protocol and should I disable it?
AEGIS is an 802.1x authentication module. It can intercept traffic on home networks; uncheck it in adapter properties and reboot [Elektroda, xE5150, post #13877368]
How do I reinstall the network adapter driver?
Device Manager → right-click adapter → Uninstall → Scan for hardware changes. Windows auto-installs default driver [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13878133]
Could outdated drivers alone block the internet?
Unlikely. The card passed LAN gaming tests, proving driver-level packets flow [Elektroda, BlackArrow, post #13871463] Driver updates improve performance but rarely fix DNS faults.
What malware scan is recommended for XP?
Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM); quarantine all detections [Elektroda, xE5150, post #13878597] Over 70 % of XP infections alter DNS settings [TrendMicro, 2022].
Edge case: router reset didn’t help—why?
Some ISP-supplied modems cache DNS for 24 h; rebooting only the router leaves the cache poisoned. Power-cycle modem and router for ≥5 min [Elektroda, xE5150, post #13873392]
3-step fix when ‘Local Area Connection’ shows one blue monitor only
- Disable adapter; enable after 10 s.
- Assign static IP/gateway/DNS from ipconfig printout.
- Re-enable DHCP once connectivity returns. This sequence restored link in the thread [Elektroda, mickpr, post #13876692]
What if none of these steps work?
Run FRST and open a malware-removal topic; deep infections can survive DNS resets [Elektroda, xE5150, post #13881221]