having trouble with certain websites!!

[oscar bravo]

Hi all,

I've been having trouble lately logging on to certain websites. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, a few of them are in my favorites and others are just random sites.

What happens is: I type in the url or hit the link in my favorites, and my computer "thinks" about it for 10 or 15 seconds, then gives me the "DNS Error" , "the page cannot be displayed" page.

Two sites in particular are:
www.runryder.com - my RC helicopter forum
www.paypal.com - paypal website
I know they work for other people, I have asked them, and I have tried on other computers

I recently tried another browser (Mozilla) and they didn't work there either. Ran a virus check and came up clean. I don't understand it, most sites are fine, it just doesn't make any sense.

BTW my system is:
Dell Inspiron 5100 Laptop
Windows XP
Charter Communications cable internet w/wireless router
Internet explorer web browser

Any advice/input is greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[E-Liam]

Hi Oscar Bravo,

Sounds like a hosts file problem. Please download 'Hijack This!' from here, unzip, and place it in it’s own folder, (not in the temp folder) doubleclick HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan". When the scan is finished, click "Save Log", and copy and paste it in a reply.

This will give me a rundown of what’s going on in your PC. Don’t fix anything yourself yet, as a lot of the stuff on that list will be harmless or required.

Cheers

Liam

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Aaron,

Both sites run JavaScript. That is all I could see in common between them.

When one site goes down, does the other site go down too?

Are the outages happening around the same time every day or hourly etc.? Can you find any pattern in the outages?

Since more than one browser has a problem, I am wondering if it is a DNS Resolution issue. Depending on your replies, we might have you try to ping IP Addresses when you are in the middle of an outage.

Take Care,

Richard

[BRL]

Hi there. FWIW, your web-site works fine with Opera here. No problems at all here looking at it.

[sky9]

I have a similar problem with XP not opening a link. I understand that it is something to do with Java, and Microsoft having to change the code in Windows for copyright reasons. I find that certain secure sites do not work so I too am looking for an answer.

[oscar bravo]

Richard

Unfortunately there is no certain time of day this happens. It happens all the time, I can never log on to those websites.

E-Liam

Unfortunately, the link you posted does not work for me either
Do you have anymore ideas?

When I click a link and it doesn't work, the "this page cannot be displayed" page comes up. When I click the link to "Detect Network Settings", it does nothing but bring up the "cannot disply" page again!

????
Aaron

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Aaron,

From a Command Prompt try:

Ping 64.235.225.26

Then try:

Ping 64.4.241.33

See if you can ping the websites.

Take Care,

Richard

[E-Liam]

Hi Aaron,

There are some problems with denial of service attacks stopping people from getting to a lot of the security based websites at the moment. A colleague from TSG has set up a couple of download locations to try to get around this..

http://www.oneknight.co.uk/

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dvk01uk/

Try and get the program from one of these..

Cheers

Liam

[oscar bravo]

E-Liam

Her is the logfile from Hijack this:



Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 7:19:14 PM, on 2/17/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\acsd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\dadapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\DadTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MI948F~1\GAMECO~1\Common\SWTrayV4.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\NotifyAlert.exe
C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\THEWEA~1\THEWEA~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsftsn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mozilla.org\Mozilla\Mozilla.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\AaronB\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.runryder.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,Shellnext = http://charter.msn.com/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DadApp] C:\Program Files\Dell\AccessDirect\dadapp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell QuickSet] C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StorageGuard] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDSentry] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\McUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMTray] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SideWinderTrayV4] C:\PROGRA~1\MI948F~1\GAMECO~1\Common\SWTrayV4.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorkFlo] D:\Install\WorkFlow.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BJCFD] C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CleanUp] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Shared\mcappins.exe /v=3 /cleanup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Desktop Weather 3] C:\PROGRA~1\THEWEA~1\THEWEA~1.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyexpr.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Mozilla Quick Launch] "C:\Program Files\mozilla.org\Mozilla\Mozilla.exe" -turbo
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 9.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 9.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {01113300-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Configuration Class) - http://support.charter.com/sdccommon...ad/tgctlcm.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/...6/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/...16/mcgdmgr.cab

[E-Liam]

Hi Aaron,

Well it looks unlikely to be a host file problem. These redirects/problems would normally show up as 01 entries, with the sites that can't be accessed, listed individually.

But you can clean up a couple of entries anyway while we're at it.

Please run a new HJT! Scan, and check to fix the following entries, being sure to double check that you haven't missed any. Next, close all browser windows and click the Fix checked button…

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)

Then please reboot and see if anything apart from those two entries have changed. If not, that's one less thing to check.

Normally I'd ask for another log to check myself, but I'm trying to keep it non-techie, as asked by the site admin here..

Cheers

Liam

[oscar bravo]

E-Liam

Thanks for trying!
However, nothing really changed. I'm sure Hijack will be useful in the future though.

Richard,

Could you please elaborate on the "ping" idea? I got to the command prompt with the ping menu, but I really cant figure out where and when to enter the numerical URL...and what the results might mean when I get them!
Please explain in more detail, I'm a little computer illiterate...in case you couldn't tell already!

Thanks a bunch

Aaron

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Aaron,

Go Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> Command Prompt

In the Window type:

Ping 64.235.225.26

And then hit Enter.

When it completes it will show you the results of trying to ping the IP Address just like a sub using Sonar. If it times out we know it cannot see the site at all and that is a different problem vs trying to get DNS Resolution.

Then try it with:

Ping 64.4.241.33

Let me know if the pings get though or not and how long they take.

Take Care,

Richard

[oscar bravo]

Richard,

OK,

The pings took about 15 seconds each and here's what came up:

pinging 64.235.225.26 with 32 bytes of data

request timed out
request timed out
request timed out
request timed out

Ping stats for 64.235.225.26 Packets sent=4 Recieved=0 Lost=4 (100% Loss)


Now what

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Aaron,

The issue is not the DNS Servers. Lets try using the wired NIC to go into the Router, and if that does not work then go directly into the Cable/DSL Broadband Modem.

Take Care,

Richard

[Saab Dastard]

Aaron,

If you ping "www.runryder.com", do you get a line saying what the IP address is (even if you get no response)?

If you do (64.235.225.26), then you are able to see a DNS server at your ISP.

If you type IPCONFIG /ALL, can you see entries for your DNS servers?

But it is odd if you can see some sites but not others. Have you done any configuration changes on your router / firewall or do you have a software firewall that might be configured to block certain sites?

SD

[E-Liam]

Hi Aaron,

Can you access the sites by entering..

https://www.paypal.com

..in the address bar? If so, then go to Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options | Programs(tab), and click on Reset web settings

See if that works.

Cheers

Liam

[oscar bravo]

OK, I finally figured it out

I unplugged my modem and wireless router , reset the privacy settings to default in the browser, then plugged verything back in and restarted my computer. All is fixed and running well now.
I had it set to medium high security instead of medium and that was all that was wrong. I thought I had tried to change that earlier but I guess not. Oh well!

Thanks to Richard and E-Liam for your help, I sure learned alot in the process.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

oscar bravo,

That is great news!

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. I am still learning every day too. So, do not worry about it.