Can't get on the internet using IE

I have a friend who is having the following problem:
"I can't get on the internet on my main computer. The laptop works fine and I'm using the same wireless signal.
On the main system I can use Outlook Express and pull in my email, I can update Norton, CCleaner and
SpyBot so I have some access. But when I click on Internet Explorer it says this page cannot be displayed,
cannot find server. Any ideas?
I tried unloading and reloading Internet Explorer, but it doesn't change anything.
Short of wiping it clean and reloading WindowsXP, what do you think? "

I don't have a solution, and I advised him to register on this BBS and post it for himself. In the meantime, I thought I'd give him a hand via posting on his behalf.
Thanks.

 

Hello skaler2k,

A recent BBS thread on this:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=57445&highlight=page+displayed

Try the steps outlined by Bill.

Regards - Charles

 

I am looking forward to hearing a successful outcome on this.
If the Norton and Spybot sites can be accessed, I wonder if Winsock is the problem.
The usual solutions for complete inability to access the internet are
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q241344
But, while all the solutions should be tried, the solution for a "sometimes" problem may be something else, like some other program interfering.