Thank you all for your recommendations.  The comp was able to access  the 
internet, just Internet Explorer wouldn't.  We did the MS update  service 
pack 2 and still nothing.  Went into IE internet  options--properties for the 
broadband---service name was blank so I wrote in  broadband; hit apply and 
ok, ok, all the way through the windows and refreshed  IE and BINGO!  he was 
on the internet.  Could have knocked me over  with a feather.
 
Thanks again,
Kevin Nowicki
 
 
In a message dated 9/21/2009 11:36:43 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

I had  this exact same problem come up on my PC after one of the 
updates for IE  several months ago.  There was an incompatibility with 
one of the  programs I was running (either antivirus, firewall or some 
similar  program).  I had to install a fix for that program, but now I 
can't  remember which program caused the problem.  The program didn't  
automatically update to prevent the problem.  Maybe someone can  
remember that incident and see if that is the problem that Kevin is  having.

Doug


>-------- Original Message  --------
>Subject: [PCBUILD] WinVistaHomeBasic Internet  Explorer
>From: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Thu, September 17, 2009  2:52 pm
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>I hope  I'm asking the correct list. If not, let me know and I'll repost
>on  PCSOFT.
>
>My neighbor's computer (Windows Vista Home Basic) has  internet explorer.
>
>He's connected to DSL. Funny thing is when  he opens IE he gets error
>message saying that page cannot be opened and  then the obligatory
>diagnose
>connection.
>
>He is  able to connect and check his email via windows mail, can do  the
>Windows Update through the "tools" tab from IE but not get  connected via
>IE.
>
>I went to internet properties and all  appeared ok: set to auto for
>discovering connection etc. Although I  noticed the firewall was off. I
>turned it back on. He can't connect to  update his antivirus subscription
>either.
>But we know there's a  dsl connection (lights green on modem, the number
>1 position on modem  blinks--that's the connection to his computer)
>otherwise he wouldn't be  able to connect to get his email.
>
>I tried system restore.  Restarted computer, pushed F11 for system
>restore, and went back to  furthest date: 8-30-09. It started but then
>stopped and said there was  an error doing system restore and no 
>files have  been
>changed.
>
>What should I do  next?
>
>TIA,
>Kevin Nowicki

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