Internet Problems

[mitt]

I have a WinXP Home machine that uses Dial-up to connect to the Internet. Over the weekend I started recieving an error when trying to do anything on the Internet. The following is the error I recieve

"Windows sockets initialization failed."

Also when I try to ping anything even my local 127.0.0.1 address I get:

"Unable to initialize windows sockets interface, error code 0"

I have been searching for a way to reinstall tcp/ip but have had no luck. Also Internet Explorer crashes upon start, not sure if it is related or not but it has also just started.

[mitt]

A few notes to add

I have done the following since posting

Scanned for Spyware & Removed a ton of it
Rescanned for viruses (None found since inital scan)
Installed SP1
Uninstalled - Kazza and Bargin Buddy

Internet Explorer now opens but nothing else works.

[mitt]

Now this just pisses me off --

I decided to run the Repair option with XP. After sucessfully completing the Repair when attempting to log into Windows now it tells me that I need to activate my Windows and gives me the option to Activate Now or Cancel. I click on Activate Now and it just kicks me back to the welcome screen. What the hell are you suppose to do now.?



On a side note:

I would like to thank all the jerkoffs at Microsoft for creating such wonderful OS. Now I have lost many hours and have made no progress.

[mitt]

Well after talking directly to the friendly folks at Microsoft the solution provided by them was reinstall.