Programs can't connect in Windows 7

February 26, 2009 7:48 PM

Windows 7 help: Some programs can connect to the internet and some can't. Why and how can I fix it?

So I've started using Windows 7 recently. It's been going great - much better in some ways than Vista. However, I'm running into something strange: Some programs can't connect to the internet.

What works: Firefox, Chrome, Last.fm
What doesn't: Internet Explorer, Steam browser, MediaMonkey's Last.fm plugin

I've turned Windows Firewall off but the issue persists and I have no idea why. Any help?

posted by flatluigi to computers & internet (7 comments total)

If you need me to post more details, just ask.
posted by flatluigi at 7:48 PM on February 26

FWIW, I haven't run into any issues, so it's certainly not a Windows 7-wide issue. IE (shudder) works okay, as does the Steam browser.
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:16 PM on February 26

You probably have bad proxy configuration in IE. The apps that work are those that don't use IE's proxy settings.
posted by Mwongozi at 8:29 PM on February 26

How would I fix that, Mwongozi?
posted by flatluigi at 8:49 PM on February 26

Ah, I found it. Turning off 'automatically detect settings' made it work. Thanks!
posted by flatluigi at 9:19 PM on February 26

If I may chime in on this... In Windows 7, I haven't been able to stream a radio station that works fine in Windows XP (Firefox and IE). The station is KFIAM640. I am thinking that Windows 7 has Media Player 12 and the stream is looking for Media Player 11. It may be that the streaming program the station employs isn't Win 7 capable. I dunno. I want to try to use 7 as my OS, but this is vexing me.

If anyone were to test this, well that would be neat.

Sorry if this is a highjack. Thanks.
posted by Fortnight Bender at 10:05 PM on February 26

Fortnight Bender - I'm able to stream KFIAM640 just fine on a more current build. Either it's something unique with your connection, or something has been fixed since beta.
posted by Diddly at 10:30 PM on February 26