I really hate it when I got internet connection problem when I’m trying to go to the internet. But, after finding out that the internet connection was not the problem, I realize maybe this “special” file has been corrupted. The file is Winsock2. This what you should do if you got your Winsock file damaged.
Repairing Damaged Winsock2
The symptoms when Winsock2 is damaged show when you try to release and renew the IP address using IPCONFIG…
And you get the following error message:
An error occurred while renewing interface ‘Internet’: An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket.
Also Internet Explorer may give the following error message:
The page cannot be displayed Additionally, you may have no IP address or no Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, and you may be receiving IP packets but not sending them.
There are two easy ways to determine if Winsock2 is damaged:
From the XP source files, go to the Support / Tools directory
Winsock Test Method 1
Run netdiag /test:winsock
The end should say Winsock test ….. passed
Winsock Test Method 2
Run Msinfo32
Click on the + by Components
Click on the by Network
Click on Protocol
There should be 10 sections if the Winsock2 key is ok
MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD Tcpip [UDP/IP]
RSVP UDP Service Provider
RSVP TCP Service Provider
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip…
If the names are anything different from those in this list, then likely Winsock2 is corrupted and needs to be repaired.
If you have any 3rd party software installed, the name MSAFD may be changed.
There should be no fewer than 10 sections.
To repair Winsock2
Run Regedit
Delete the following two registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
Restart the computer
Go to Network Connections
Right click and select Properties
Click on the Install button
Select Protocol
Click on the Add button
Click on the Have Disk button
Browse to the \Windows\inf directory
Click on the Open button
Click on the OK button
Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Click on the OK button
Reboot
Alternative: You can try this software. It works with my XP once.
WinSock XP Fix 1.2
. I don’t want this software to be like Windows...
September 26th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Hey man thanks for this i recently formated and this is an error that i never seen before will try the info
February 9th, 2008 at 9:21 am
how do i fix this particular issue with Windows Vista. I’ve already tried to release and renewed my IP address and I get this error message that ill have to write down next time I try it ( i’ve been batteling my notebook a while) still cannot get online. I dont get a particular error message I just get a WEB CANNOT BE DISPLAYED. I know it is not my routers IP because I’ve already reset this, also I can get online on my XBOX 360. I have ran a system restore and I also did a system recovery, and pinged all my IP’s and everything comes back good. I sent it in to HP and they sent it back the same. Is there anything else I can do or do I have a non-funtional notebook?
February 9th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Great info.. Although it didn’t work for me.
April 13th, 2008 at 7:22 am
I know I have a corrupt winsock 2 file and the netsh winsock reset command fixes this an allows me to get on the netbut it doesn’t hold. If I leave the net and go back to my desktop to do something, then try to get back on the net, I have to enter the command again and reboot my computer. I went to try to fix you outlined but immediately ran into problems. When I entered the msinfo32 command – I receive a error message that it didn’t exist. When I did a search for msinfo32 it pulled up six different foldes filled with all kinds of files that I had no idea what were – nothing looked like the ten item list. I have a HP laptop, series 8000 (about 2-1/2 yrs old) running XP Media Home Edition and Service Pack2. This is extremely frustrating and I would appreciate any comments you could make on how to resolve this situation. I am willing to try the fix you listed but can’t if I cannot even get into msinfo32??????
April 13th, 2008 at 7:44 am
At Start Menu, you just have to click on “run”, type in “msinfo32″ and press enter to get it running (without the quotes). Good luck.
April 13th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Faud – thank you for your reply but as I tried to explain when I follow what you wrote – it take me to a HP help page that has nothing to do with msinfo32 – in other words it doesn’t respond to that command. But, again, thanks for trying to help.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
MsInfo32 can be accessed by the Start menu.
Select: Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information