Internet access lost when switching user

Question

With Windows 7 Home Premium, internet connectivity is lost when changing from one user profile to another.

After changing user account, Windows Explorer 8 and Firefox will either not open or cause the computer to freeze.  Opening any program that access the internet may cause the machine to freeze.

I can reboot and log onto each account without encountering this problem.  I am connected to a cable modem using an ethernet adapter.

Answer 1

Hi 44Thumbs,

Let’s see what’s causing this internet access issue.

First and foremost, try with the latest network card drivers.

You can get the download from the Manufacturer’s website. Refer this article for information on how to get the updates.

**Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properlyhttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properlyIf installing the latest driver doesn’t help, it could be possible that a third part service is causing this problem.

Clean boot is one of the methods to check whether a third party application is conflicting with Windows that can contribute to the problem behavior.

The steps to be performed in clean boot are given below:

1.    Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.

2.    Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility.

3.    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

4.    On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)

5.    On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

Note: Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.

6.    Restart your computer.

Now switch to another user account and verify whether the internet connection is available in the other account.  If so, then it’s highly likely that a third party service is responsible for it.  Follow the steps provided in the link below to figure out the culprit.

**How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135**After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

1.             Click start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

 If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your  password, or click Continue.

2.       On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.

3.       When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

Hope this helps.

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Regards,

Shinmila H - Microsoft Support

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