Err Msg: A Connection to the Server Could Not Be Established

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to a Web site after installing Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

   A connection to the server could not be established.

CAUSE

This error message can occur if the Wsock32n.dll file is not updated during the Internet Explorer 4.0 installation. This can occur if you upgrade Internet Explorer 3.02 to Internet Explorer 4.0 and you connect to the Internet using a SOCKS proxy server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use either of the following methods:

Upgrade to Internet Explorer 4.01

Obtain Internet Explorer 4.01. To do so, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

   http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download/

Replace the Wsock32n.dll File

Extract and Replace the Wsock32n.dll File for Windows 95:

1. Restart Windows 95, press the F8 key when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

2. Rename the Wsock32n.dll file in the Windows\System folder to Wsock32n.old by typing the following line and then pressing ENTER

         ren <drive>:\<windows>\system\wsock32n.dll wsock32n.old
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Windows folder is located, and <windows> is the name of the folder in which Windows is installed. For example:

         ren c:\windows\system\wsock32n.dll wsock32n.old
   

   NOTE: This procedure assumes you do not have a file named Wsock32n.old. If you do have a file by this name, use a file name extension that is not currently in use.

3. Type the following line, and then press ENTER

         extract <drive>:<path>ie4_s4.cab /l <drive2>:<path2>
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup files are located, <path> is the path to the folder in which the Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup files are located, <drive2> is the drive letter to which to extract the Ie4_4.cab file, and <path2> is the path to the folder to which to extract the Ie4_4.cab file. For example:

         extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4_s4.cab /l c:\intern~1.0se
   

4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER

         extract <drive>:<path>wsock32n.dll /l <drive2>:\<windows>\system
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the IE4_4.cab file is located, <path> is the path to the folder in which the IE4_4.cab file is located, <drive2> is the drive on which Windows is installed, and <path2> is the location of the Windows\System folder. For example:

         extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4_4.cab wsock32n.dll /l c:\windows\system
   

5. Restart your computer.

1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Command Prompt.

2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Windows folder is
   located, and <windows> is the name of the folder in which Windows is
   installed. For example:

      ren c:\windows\system32\wsock32n.dll wsock32n.old

   NOTE: This procedure assumes you do not have a file named Wsock32n.old.
   If you do have a file by this name, use a file name extension that is
   not currently in use.

      extract <drive>:<path>ie4nt_s4.cab /l <drive2>:<path2>

      extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4nt_s4.cab /l c:\intern~1.0se

      extract <drive>:<path>wsock32n.dll /l <drive2>:\<windows>\system32

      extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4_4.cab wsock32n.dll /l
       c:\windows\system32