Winsock 2 accommodates layered protocols. A layered protocol is one that implements only higher level communications functions, while relying on an underlying transport stack for the actual exchange of data with a remote endpoint. LSP  aka Layered Service Provider can be a security layer that adds protocol to the connection establishment process. An example of an LSP is the Microsoft Firewall Client Service Provider installed as part of the Internet Secutity and Authentication Server (ISA) on clients. The Microsoft Firewall Client Service Provider installs over the Winsock base providers for TCP and UDP.

To check which LSPs installed on your Windows Vista or Windows 7, use netsh winsock show catalog command.

Sometimes the winsock settings in Windows may get corrupted, causing errors and problems with Internet connectivity. When Winsock corrupts, the networking errors that you may face include unable to access network services, web pages, Windows update services or other odd network behaviors.

Now to reset Winsock we can use a similar cmd “netsh winsock reset”. 
What netsh winsock reset command does is it resets Winsock Catalog to a clean state or default configuration. It will remove anyWinsock LSP (Layered Service Providers) previously installed, including any potentially malfunctioning LSP that may cause the loss of network packets or transmission failures. So any previously installed LSPmust be reinstalled. This command does not affect Winsock Name Space Providers.

To repair and reset the Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Click on Start button.
2. Type Cmd in the Start Search text box.
3. Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as Administrator. Allow elevation request.
4. Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.
5. Restart the computer.

Good luck,

Cubert