Diagnosing port problems using "Safe Mode"

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance



Diagnosing port problems using "Safe Mode"

Hi,

I have a problem where some software blocks ports. My system is
Windows XP, Service Pack 2, with all Microsoft patches up-to-date.

The problem started by Outlook Express suddenly reporting that it
couldn't connect to my ISP's POP and SMTP servers (ports 110 and 25)
anymore. I don't recall that had made any changes in the software,
but somebody else is using the same XP system, and they may not be so
careful in perhaps incidentally installing some third party stuff.

I disabled the Norten Antivirus, to NO avail.

I looked at the Task Manager process list and at the running services,
but this is confusing with the many, many processes running and no
indication of what may they do to ports.

Then I re-started the XP system in Safe Mode, and Outlook Express
sending/receiving works FINE, indicating that in Safe Mode the
offending software, whatever blocks ports 110 and 25, is disabled.

QUESTION:

How do you find out which software is the offender, blocking ports
110-25 in normal mode. Do you know a more systematic way of doing
this, rather than the guess work of disabling one after the other of
tens of processes?


Thanks,
Wolfgang,
CA

.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: cannot uninstall USB entries in device manager
    ... install them correctly. ... I can expand the icon by USB ports. ... I thought the way to uninstall ... In safe mode, in safe mode with networking, in normal mode also. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: USB2 now USB1
    ... unfortunately it cleaned more than it should have and my pc would not start, even in safe mode. ... Whatever I plug in to these ports, I get an error message saying "This device can perform faster if you connect to a USB2 port. ... The USB ports on thr rear of the machine are unaffected. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Blocked ports, help with troubleshooting please!
    ... I have a problem where some software blocks ports. ... Windows XP, Service Pack 2, with all Microsoft patches up-to-date. ... Antivirus software and firewall are switched OFF. ... Then I re-started the XP system in Safe Mode, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage)
  • Re: dead parrot PC
    ... Mouse was dead too. ... The first thing I did was to remove the three USB devices from it and try a re boot. ... It booted fine in safe mode and again in normal mode. ... It turned out that all ports worked on a device, but not all devices would work in every port. ...
    (uk.comp.misc)
  • Re: SP2 and networked printers
    ... print just because he installed a Service Pack. ... > Most likely you need to open some ports in the Windows Firewall. ... > torgeir, Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)