Can't load any Windows or Microsoft sites

I've just finished reinstalling XP Pro (SP2 slipstream) on a freshly formatted hard disk.
Everything went OK, all drivers have been installed and Windows has been activated.
Apart from that I haven't made any changes to the configuration or setup.

I can access the net and sites like BBC, Google, etc. load fine.
The problem is though I can't access any Windows or Microsoft sites.
I'm trying to run Windows Update but it just times out with a "page cannot be displayed ".
The same thing happens with microsoft.com and windows.com and the IP address of Microsoft (http://207.46.20.30/).
I've even tried manually typing the latest Windows Update url (http://update.microsoft.com/windows...t.aspx?ln=en-us) but it still doesn't work.
Surely it should work 'out of the box' without having to make any configuration changes, etc?

I have restored an old Ghost image (which is the build I'm using now) and it's fine so obviously there's nothing wrong with the hardware.
The XP slipstream disc I used is the same one I used about 12 months ago and I haven't changed any hardware since originally building the system.
I didn't have this problem last time so I can't work out what the problem is.

So basically I have this build of XP (the one I'm on now) which works fine but if I load the Ghost image of my new build (built from the same CD on exactly the same system) I can't get on to Microsoft or Windows sites.

Is it something to do with expired certificates?

I've tried all of the 'solutions' I've found on Google but nothing has worked.
Anyone know what the problem is?

 

Thanks Pete.

I've looked through those 2 threads and I've already tried everything on there.
My Hosts file is OK, tried releasing and renewing my IP addresses.
Tried a DNS flush.
Renamed the catroot2 folder.
Tried changing all the relevant ie settings, etc.

I'm currently on the new build but I just can't get www.microsoft.com to load or the update site or the support forums.
Pinging www.microsoft.com results in timne out.

If I load my original Ghost image on this very maching, I have no problems at all.
It's obviously something to do with the new build software but I can't work it out.

 

brogan--Did you also look into your Restricted Sites to see if microsoft.com is in there? That would not stop you from reaching the site but it could affect performance of the site.

Since I assume you cannot reach Windows Update, you have a "Safety/Security" issue and MS supposedly offers free telephone service to help solve such problems. 1-866-PCSAFETY

P.S. What is a "Windows" site? Or do you mean Windows Update?

 

Yes, checked that. All OK.

I'm assuming that's a US number in which case it won't be free from the UK.
I'll see if I can dig out a UK number.

Yes I meant Windows Update but also MSN and anything microsoft.com

It gets weirder though because I've just installed XP Pro from my original CD - not the slipstream version, and I can't access microsoft.com, MSN or Windows Update from that build either.
All other web sites are fine.
I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I'm not going to be able to rebuild my system...

 

I'm using the same 4 port router/adsl modem I'm using now.
There is absolutely no difference in the hardware configuration between this working build and the new install.

Just tried it again - formatted the c drive, installed windows from the original CD, clicked on Windows Update and tried microsoft.com and it just times out.
All other sites are fine.

Strangest problem I've ever seen.

 

I do have another modem I can use but fail to see how that could possibly be it.
If the router/modem I'm using with this build works then it will work with the new build.
No changes are made to the router when I reinstall Windows - it's a physically separate piece of hardware with its own flash bios.
Besides, it would either work or not - it wouldn't just stop Microsoft sites from working.

I'm just about on the verge of giving up trying to reinstall....

 

Thanks for the number Pete.
I'll give them a call tomorrow and report back with any developments.

 

brogan--just to add to PeteC's link
http://support.microsoft.com/securityhome?LN=en-gb&x=18&y=11
P.S. I had not realized you were in the UK.

 

Quick update.

Called the number PeteC provided.

The tech guy was quite confidient in being able to resolve the problem.
Tried the usual stuff and problem still there.

Tech guy now starting to go 'hmmm' a lot.

Tried some more stuff - still no joy.

Tech guy now disappearing for 5 minutes at a time to 'check out some other options' and 'confer with some colleagues'.

2 hours later, the problem is still not resolved and the tech guy is completely dumbfounded.

The case is still open and he's going to call me again tomorrow but as of this time, there is no logical reason why I can't load www.microsoft.com or www.windowsupdate.com, especially considering this is a completely new install on a formatted disk.
Oddly enough, I can load www.office.microsoft.com and run the Office update check.

I'm thinking of suggesting it as a case study to Microsoft for their tech support training...

 

You have probably already been through this with the tech, but in case someone searches this thread...
Services required to be on to get MS Updates
1. BITS
2. Windows Auto Update
3. Error Reporting

I have to shut off Norton's ad blocker, too, or the site won't work. "Active X" must be enabled or set to "prompt ".

I'll be interested to see what you figure out.
Johanna

 

Brogan--Just to add to what Johanna has suggested, try putting Microsoft sites into your IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Trusted Sites (uncheck the box that says "Require Server notifictation.... ").

 

Well I've made some progress...

I decided to swap out my 4 port router for a different adsl modem (the free Voyager one from BT) and Windows Update worked fine.

So, the problem is something to do with my router and Windows.

This is all very strange considering I have done a hard reset on my 4 port router and there are absolutely no settings in it that are specific to my ISP or PC build.
So I can only assume it's something to do with the way it interacts with the Windows Firewall/Windows Update.
But, that doesn't explain how the router is able to work with the existing build and did the first time I created it, without making any changes to the router or Windows...
Perhaps it's something to do with the changes made to the Windows Update process since I last installed Windows?

All very strange.

So the good news is there's nothing wrong with the new build.
The bad news is I still don't know why the new build won't work with my router.

 

I knew you were going to bring that up...

The only other site I couldn't get to was www.microsoft.com.
I haven't tried that site but as Windows Update was inaccessible previously, I presume so.

I'm going to go back to the new build, plug in my 4 port router and see what happens.
I wouldn't be surprised if it works now...

 

Forgot to add...

I asked the MS tech if it could have anything to do with MTU settings and he said most likely because the Windows Update site uses a different MTU setting to other sites.
Shame he didn't mention that yesterday when we spent 2 hours trying to resolve the problem...

So I'm going to have a play with the MTU settings and see if I can get the router to work.