While the term Winsock might not sound important to average users, a broken one can render an Internet connection dead to the world. This free utility makes quick work of fixing corrupted Winsocks caused by both malicious and nonthreatening programs. LSP-Fix's developer suggests you read the documentation before using the app, and unless you're a highly technical user, you should follow this instruction. Likewise, don't check the Advanced check box unless you know exactly what you're doing. The main interface is bland looking but mercifully easy to use; one pane shows you Winsocks you should keep, the other shows problematic ones that may be causing your problem. When testing this program with a disabled Internet connection (courtesy of a borderline suspicious program), we were pleased by both its effectiveness and speed; our connection was back up in seconds without even the need for a system restart. This program only does one job, but it can be a lifesaver in certain sticky situations.
Was useful to me even though it didn't solve my problem
RCF_Rose
Pros
Easy to use and gives results.
Cons
none observed by me
Summary
Turned out my issue wasn't corrupted registry entries so the program didn't have anything to "repair". However it was easy and straight forward to use and at the very least let me know there were no issues with the registry.
Simple and to the point for those in the know.
pcpro17
Pros
This is a great little utiltiy for correcting errant Layered Service Protocol entries for those who know what they're doing.
Cons
Like all great "hack" tools, this tool makes it as easy to create new problems as it is to solve the existing ones.
Summary
Only use it if you know what you're doing!
Good tool to keep handy, it works.
YoJoJoM
Pros
I try alot of free software. This fix has worked everytime I lose internet connection.
Cons
Summary
Thanks A Zillion !!!
Vee55
Pros
It Worked, and saved me a $75 visit to my PC repair shop. It was fast and very very user friendly. Whew!
Cons
Summary
NEED HELP PLZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holyzitro
Pros
Works good and solid program
Cons
IT GOT RID OF WEB HANCER WHICH WAS GOOD CAUSE IT GAVE ME MAJOR PROBLEMS BUT NOW THE INTERNET DONT WORK I NEED SERIOUS HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT SADLY SYSTEM RESTORE DOESNT WORK FROM ALL THE VIRUS AND STUFF I HAD AND MY CD DRIVE FILE BEEN DELETED SO I CANT RUN CDS >>>CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO GET MY INTERNET BACK OR MAYBE TELL ME HOW TO FIX SYSTEM RESTORE OR MY CD DRIVE PLZ reply to this or send me a msg to my screename zitro324@netscape.net
Summary
Worked instantly and solved my "Page Cannot Be Displayed" nightmare!
madatSony
Pros
It FIXED my connection problem.
<p>I was getting the Page Cannot be Displayed error after about 15 minutes after I rebooted and would then have to restart my computer until the next time it happened.
<p>It did it immediately without one hassle.
<p>I don't know exactly how it did it and don't really care. It works. Like Magic.
Cons
Nothing.
Summary
made by CEXX.ORG!?
Leo_Koneval
Pros
it was a okay program, but i never got it to work
Cons
Not only does the program not work, but it is made by a publisher that doesn't look too safe, for example would you want to buy your toothpaste from a dentist or a punk band's singer?
Summary
good
veentampa
Pros
small and effective. do a virus and spyware scan.. with avg, spybot, adaware. then run this product. pay attention to your normal lsp and then in the future you will see whats added to that list without your knowledge and remove them.
Cons
no features or help
Summary
One Click Fix
jwbecotte
Pros
I accidentally ran two antivirus programs and my applications no longer recognized my internet connection. I had the cable techs come out and they couldn't figure it out. I uninstalled and reinstalled XP. I could kick myself. One click... fixed. I keep it handy just in case.
Cons
Summary
Good idea for a program, but I think its better to do it manually.
CableguyTK
Pros
Its free.
Cons
It didn't work for me.
<p>I got computers with broken winsock in working order by fixing it manually...that is replacing the three main winsock DLL files from with good copies from a working computer (winrnr.dll, mswsock.dll, rsvpsp.dll) and deleting the broken WinSock registry keys and replacing them with good copies from a working computer (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinSock2).
<p>
<p>This program only goes as far as replacing the bad dll's. A broken winsock is a 2 part game...the bad files and the bad registry keys as mentioned above. This program doesn't touch them and has limited success.
Repair Winsock 2 settings caused by adware and spyware applications.LSPFix repairs Winsock 2 settings, caused by buggy or improperly removed Internet software, and that result in loss of Internet access. LSPFix is a free utility to repair a specific type of problem associated with certain Internet software. This type of software is known as a Layered Service Provider or LSP, a piece of software that can be inserted into the Windows TCP/IP handler like a link in a chain. However, due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of the software, this chain can get broken, rendering the user unable to access the Internet. Unfortunately, this type of software is sometimes quietly installed by unrelated software such as file-sharing programs, sneaking onto a system unannounced. In fact, in many cases, the user does not know of its existence until something goes wrong, and Web sites no longer can be accessed. Common offenders include New.net and WebHancer, which are often bundled with file-sharing utilities, DVD player software, and other free downloads. LSP-Fix repairs the Winsock LSP chain by removing the entries left behind when LSP software is removed by hand (or when errors in the software itself break the LSP chain), and removing any gaps in the chain. LSP-Fix is not a malware-removal utility and does not target specific products. LSP-Fix does not delete any files.