Microsoft KB Archive/308780

= Error message appears when you try to start Internet Explorer =

Article ID: 308780

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0

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This article was previously published under Q308780



Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry



SYMPTOMS
When you start Internet Explorer (IE), you may receive the following error message:

Page cannot be displayed

If you try to gain access to a Web site by entering the IP address of the site in the address bar, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to locate server



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if the following registry key is corrupted:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinSock2



RESOLUTION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this behavior, import a clean copy of the WinSock2 key into the registry:  On a Windows 2000-based computer that is able to open IE with no error, save a clean copy of the WinSock2 key:  Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe). Locate the following key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinSock2

 Insert a floppy disk into the floppy disk drive. Select the key, and then on the Registry menu, click Save. Save the clean copy of the key onto the floppy disk. Quit Registry Editor.</li></ol> </li> On the Windows 2000-based computer that is experiencing the error, import the clean copy of the key into the registry: <ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).</li> Locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinSock2

</li> To delete the existing WinSock2 key, click the key, and then on the Edit menu, click Delete.</li> Insert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive.</li> On the Registry menu, click Restore. Specify that you want to restore the clean key that you saved on the floppy disk.</li> Quit Registry Editor.</li></ol> </li> Restart your computer.</li></ol>

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MORE INFORMATION
This behavior can occur if a third-party Winsock program is installed on the system.

Additional query words: kbiepcbd

Keywords: kberrmsg kburl kbenv kbprb KB308780

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