Anilrgowda

Question: My client just ordered three Dell Dimension desktop systems pre-loaded with Windows Vista. Out of the box and after connecting to a network and the Internet (TCP/IP-wise), I am having a problem on EACH of these machines when accessing SOME websites, such as go.microsoft.com, windowsupdate.microsoft.com, gotomypc.com, uboc.com (a bank website). WIth these sites, I get a timeout and NO visible elements of the site appear. But I have NO problems accessing many other sites, such as Sony USA, Citrix Systems – Application Delivery Infrastructure for a Dynamic World, Google, etc. Indeed I can even successfully access some other microsoft.com sites. But I CANNOT update Windows Defender, receiving a 0x80072ee2 error code.

I've tried many things to troubleshoot this. First of all, other computers on the network (running XP or 2000) have NO problem accessing any of these sites. On the new Dells, DNS and general TCP/IP Internet access are properly working, as I CAN ping ANY of the URLs above and get name resolution, as well as ping responses. If I try to http:// the actual IP addresses of the ones that don't work as DNS names, they still don't work.

I thought the problem might be related to if the sites were secure or not, but lack of access happens whether or not the site is Lost redirect: or Gogogo.com Search Results:. Indeed, the Wells Fargo bank site works, but the Union Bank of California site does not.

To complicate things, this odd behavior occurs whether I'm using the native IE7 or if I'm using the latest release of Firefox. It occurs before and after I've removed Norton Internet Security (pre-loaded but not yet installed). It occurs before and after any installation of an Antivirus (such as AVG). It occurs before and after connecting to a domain (on the local server).

It is very odd that a machine would ship in a configuration which would disallow the initial go.microsoft.com site to not show up. This happens whether or not Google Toolbar is enabled. I've also tried disabling phishing protection and the new IE7 protected mode. I've also lowered (from the Tools/Internet Options) all the security settings to their lowest. Pop-up blocker turned off. But none of these actions change a thing.

I've been in this business for decades and I've never seen anything like this. The physical network seems fine, TCP/IP seems fine, and IE7 and Firefox seem fine on ton of sites. It's just wacky on a few sites.

Does ANYONE here have a clue as to what might be going on?

Anilrgowda

1. Disable 'Network Discovery' in the 'Network and Sharing Center'
** Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center **

2. Disable AutoTuning:
Open up a command prompt with Administrator Priveledges (go to the start menu, Accessories, and right click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator").

At the command prompt, type:
netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=disabled
(note: this will be reset upon reboot)

3. Disable Stateful Packet Inspection on your router.

If this doesn't work, consider purchasing a new router or extorting a Vista compatible revision (3CR858-95) from 3com.

Your router has been discontinued as of February 1, 2007, probably in light of compatibility problems.
3Com product End of Sale Statement