Strange problem limiting internet/network access

[Polishwonder74]

This is a really strange problem and I can't seem to get anywhere with it, maybe someone has seen something like it:

Yesterday just before I was about to leave work, I installed a copy of WS_FTP 2007 and then turned the computer off and left before I restarted and put in the authorization codes. Today I came in, and this computer is acting very strangely. I can't view websites through any browser, or get POP e-mail through Outlook Express. Strangely, I can download IMAP e-mail through Thunderbird, I can update my Kaspersky antivirus, I can pass files back and forth through the Network Neighborhood, and I can view websites AND download Outlook Express e-mail when starting in safe mode with networking.

I have uninstalled WS_FTP, and it hasn't helped at all. It's almost as if something is only blocking a few ports. I tried going to the IP address of my router, and I can't see that, either. Oh, the operating system is Windows XP, SP2. Does anyone have any idea what is happening here?

Thanks for humoring me.

:beer:

 

[spidey07]

If this is an office enrionment you could have been scanned (see that you're running an FTP server) and blocked.

 

[Polishwonder74]

I'm awfully sure that isn't the case, but I'll definitely check and see if WS_FTP tried to put a server on here, I hadn't even thought of that.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Any more suggestions? I'm seriously thinking about nuking this computer, it'll be a pain in the arse, but I can't have this computer dead in the water like this for any longer.

 

[spidey07]

Could you describe the network more? company net or SOHO?

Also there's the "scrub the computer for spyware/viruses" approach.

 

[Polishwonder74]

I apologize for the short description. It's a SOHO and I've done a complete system scan with Kaspersky. All it found was a few tracking cookies, no real virus threats.

 

[spidey07]

Search microsoft for "repair tcp/ip stack"

That might do it.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Alrighty, I'll give that a shot. Maybe that will bail me out. Thanks, guys!

 

[Polishwonder74]

Nothing seemed to help, I even got Gateway tech support and they had me run sfc /scannow to check file integrity. Get this: Some files came up bad, but it NEEDS A CD TO REPLACE THEM!! This is too hilarious. I'm not saying Gateway is stupid. . . or that they didn't think this through before they put these out on the market, but dayum. I'm hog-tied without the CD's.

So just for s**ts and giggles I uninstalled Norton Anti-Spam, and viola! I have internet access again. I have no idea what's going on. I'd still like to nuke this PC just to be safe.