Error Message: Unable to Initialize Windows Socket Interface Code

ID: Q246727

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5, 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5, 5.01 for Windows 98
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to browse Internet sites using Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

The page cannot be displayed.
Also, when you use the ping command at a command prompt, you may receive the following error message:
Unable to initialize Windows socket interface code
NOTE: These error messages may occur even if you are able to successfully connect to your Internet service provider (ISP) using Dial-Up Networking.


CAUSE

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To resolve this issue:

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).


  2. Locate the following registry key:


    3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
  3. Export the Winsock2 key for backup purposes, and then delete the Winsock2 key by clicking it and then pressing DELETE. Confirm that you want to delete the key, and then quit Registry Editor.


  4. Uninstall Dial-Up Networking:


    1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.


    2. Click the Windows Setup tab.


    3. Click Communications, click Details, and then click to clear the Dial-Up Networking check box.


    4. Click OK, and then click OK.


  5. After you uninstall Dial-Up Networking, restart the computer.


  6. Reinstall Dial-Up Networking:


    1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.


    2. Click the Windows Setup tab.


    3. Click Communications, click Details, and then click to select the Dial-Up Networking check box.


    4. Click OK, and then click OK.


  7. After you reinstall Dial-Up Networking, restart the computer.


This rebuilds the Winsock2 key in the registry.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kberrmsg msiew95 msiew98
Version : WINDOWS:4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1,4.01 Service Pack 2,5,5.01
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: November 24, 1999
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