Have internet connection but IE and Firefox are unable to connect.?

Adobe Shockwave downloaded an update on my computer and ever since IE and Firefox have been unable to connect. The internet connection itself is fine because AIM still works on my computer along with other programs that connect to the internet just my browsers no longer connect. I'm not working offline and all my firewall settings are the way they've always been. If anyone has any idea whats going on and how to fix it I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

Have internet connection but IE and Firefox are unable to connect.?microsoft flight simulator

When did this problem start happening?

If only this week try performing System Restore. Restore your computer to an earlier date

To do System Restore:

a. Click on Start

b. Click on All Programs

c. Click on Accessories

d. Click on System Tools

e. Click on System Restore

f. System Restore will open

g. Click on Restore your computer to an earlier time

h. Click on Next

i. Try to choose a date last week or days ago that you are not having this problem.

g. Just follow the prompts, Click on Next

NOTE: The computer will logoff just let the computer do the restore

Try optimizing Internet Exlorer Browser

a. Check first the version

Click Help

Click About Internet Explorer

If you are using IE7 or version 7

a. Close IE

b. Click on Start

c. Click on Control Panel

d. Open Network and Internet Connections

e. Open Internet Options

NOTE: If Network and Internet Connections is separated just try to look for Internet Options

f. At Internet Options

Click on Advanced on the upper right

Click on Reset at the bottom portion

Click on Close

Click on Apply and OK

If you are using version 6

Click on Tools on the upper verions

Click on Internet Options

Under Generl Tab Delete Files, Delete Cookies

Then Go to Security Tab, Click on Default Level

Then Go to Privacy, Click on Default

Then Go to Programs Tab, Click on Reset Web Settings

Then Go to Advanced Click on Restore Defaults

Click on Apply and OK

Check Host File

c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\host

-- Open it using Notepad

-- Check if it is clean make sure that the only line there is

127.0.0.1 localhost

Perform Winsock Reset

Click on Start

Click on Run

Type CMD

CLick on OK

Type netsh winsock reset

Press Enter

Restart the computer

Have internet connection but IE and Firefox are unable to connect.?windows 2000 internet explorer

Restore your computer to a point BEFORE you downloaded Shockwave.

Look under Restore in Windows Help
do a system restore to a point when it worked correctly. Preferably before the update happened. start%26gt;%26gt;allprograms%26gt;%26gt;accessories%26gt;%26gt;system tools%26gt;%26gt; system restore

And as for the lady below... Tech support is not always the best solution because most of the time, they dont know jack. and read from a book.
Hm... this is interesting... I'm assuming you've tried multiple sites so here's my take...

If you think Shockwave is the issue then try to uninstall it and see if that solves your problem. Firewalls or adblocker software can sometimes change themselves, so double check just in case to make sure you're allowing your browsers to access the internet. Lastly, I'd try to get another copy of the browsers and try a reinstall that way.
MAybe the installation changed your internet access settings, especially the DNS server. That one is needed to translate the url you type in, into the IP in the HTTP protocol. That would explain why the messengers still work, they dont need the DNS server. The adress of your DNS server is usually your router or its left empty if you connect via dial-up or smth.
As the others said your answer is 'system restore,' but I'll tell you how to do this in case you are a novice.

Take your cursor to the 'Start' tab at the bottom left corner of your screen, if you don't see it now, it will come up when you take your cursor there. Click on 'Start', then click on 'all programs', then click on 'accessories', then click on 'system restore.' Once there follow the prompts to return your computer to a date prior to you installing Shockwave. This will fix your problem in less than five minutes. You can e-mail me if you have any further problems by clicking on my image. I've fixed your exact same problem a few time. Good luck!
Try this:

%26lt;CTL%26gt;%26lt;ALT%26gt;Del.

Task Manager

Select the "Processes" tab.

Click on User, so it sorts that way.

Find all of the Adobe related processes that are running, and terminate them. No harm done. You do not need them.

Then try connecting again.

If that doesn't work, check your browser add ins. Disable Adobe, and see if that does the trick. In fact, you might try that first.

Last, I would try a system restore (as above). But that will return you to preinstallation of the update. That is just my personal opinion, and not necessarily the best solution.

Myself, I would do what I suggested, and use system restore last.

HTW.
call your internet service provider. that is honestly your best bet. they can help you alot faster than anything on here.
Sounds like a DNS issue

Go to run, type in CMD

then type in ping 69.41.40.21

you should get 4 packets sent 4 received.

Now type ping www.yahoo.com

you probably won't get that.

If you can ping a IP addres and not name, your DNS is out.

Try to repair your connection using repair

Also try to disable and enable and remove your DNS save and put it back in