..and not just with my lottie plot. After tinkering with my computer I realised it was not just the Amazon website that I couldn't get onto: it's quite a number of other sites as well. Checked via dial up ISP as well as broadband - no luck. Checked security settings - all OK. Removed Zone Alarm completely and switched off Windows firewall. Ran Norton scan - no viruses. Tried via Firefox - no access via that browser either. Removed Norton completely - no luck so reinstalled. Rang Virgin (broadband ISP) who ran through quite a number of possible security settings on IE to no avail. Checked the pinging - that was OK. They checked their end and said it must be a problem with something blocking access at my end. Suggested Spybot. Unfortunately I'd already run that with no success. Downloaded AVG and ran another virus scan - all clear. Downloaded all latest updates and supposed fixes for non-loading web pages from Microsoft. No joy. Restoring the system to where it was a week ago (when it worked) didn't solve the problem either.
Thank goodness A4A is one of the few sights I can still access. Any superstar computer wizards out there who can suggest what I might try next? :-\ ::) :(
Jill
have you tried using a different browser such as firefox?
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
it has probably been sugested before but it really is more secure than internet explorer.
Also what operating system are you using?
Type winver in the run box on the start menu to check you have the latest version.
Check your cookie settings as some sites require that cookies are enabled in order for you to view them.
Hi Diesel. Tried Firefox but couldn't access the sites through that browser either, although unlike IE6 it did give me an error message "The connection was refused when attempting to contact www.amazon.co.uk". Cookies are enabled. Operating system is Windows XP Pro with SP2 which has being running problem free for months. Another day and more frustration :'(
almost sounds like you have been put on some kind of banned list :(
i am sorry i have no ideas how to solve this either ...
hmmmmmm
ok ill have a think on that then lol.
When you say you checked by pinging did you ping www.amazon.co.uk and receive a reply?
try diabling third part browser extensions:
1. Click Start, Click Run and type INETCPL.CPL.
2. On General tab, click "Delete Files", "Delete Cookies" and "Clear History" and click OK.
3. On the Security tab, select the Internet Zone icon and click Default Level.
4. On the Privacy tab, click Default if available.
5. On the Advanced tab, click Restore Default.
6. Uncheck the option: Enable third-party browser extensions (requires restart).
7. Click Apply and then click OK.
8. Then, restart your computer and test.
Also check your host file.
go to
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
look for a file called hosts and open using notepad.
you should only have 1 entry at the bottom (unless you are connecting to a work network)
127.0.0.1 localhost.
If there are any others post them up here.
im in the chat lounge if you want to go through anything.
I am in work though so if I dont asnwer straight away im probably not at my desk.
Hi Diesel
Did 1-5 yesterday and again earlier this morning. 6-8 I've just done but still no luck.
Yes I pinged amazon and paypay yesterday and apparently the response I got was OK according to the Virgin helpline chap.
Found the hosts file and it was just the 127.0.0.1 local host listed....
Ok Jill one last thing to try before a format :(
it involves editing the registry of the machine so is pretty drastic, especially if you havent done anything like this before.
Go to start >> Run>> regedit
In the left hand pane that opens Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ Tcpip\ Parameters\ Interfaces.
There should be several subkeys under the Interfaces key; most likely, you'll find three or four. View the contents of each key by clicking, and find the one that corresponds to your primary network adapter;, it will be the one with more values than the other two, and will have an IP address value set to something like maybe 192.168.0.1
Once you've found the correct subkey, create a new DWORD value in it (Edit -> New -> DWORD Value), and name the value MTU.
Double-click the new value, choose the Decimal option, and type the MTU value 1492
Click Ok when you're done - you'll need to restart Windows for this change take effect.
Using the registry editor is instant and can cause major problems for windows.This change if done correctly wont cause any and should sort out the problem you are having.
If you want to go through it in the chat room step by step or are unsure then let me know.
cheers
sorry - coming to this a bit late
ping 127.0.0.1 and getting a return( few milliseconds) means your network card is working
ping 66.102.9.99 and getting a return means the internet connection is OK
ping www.google.com (who's IP address is 66.102.9.99!) means domain name servers are working ( ie your computer can look up other sites on the internet.
sounds like a browser config problem
1. ask if your ISP uses a proxy server - if so the connection bit of your browser (
in FGirefox its tools->options->general -> conbnection settings
should be to the proxy rather than direct connection to the internet
if its a networking problem re-installing everythin might not solve it
Im a great fan of trouble shooting with knoppix (www.knoppix.net)
download it, (version3.8.1) burn to a CD , sticvk it in your machine and restart - let it autodetect everything and start up all by itself.
you then have a complete computer system running off a CD
Click (1 click!)on the firefox/mozilla icon on the taskbar, at the bottom or find it in the various menus and see if you have an internet connection.
If you do then its a problem with your windows machine/settings.
if not, it could be an ISP problem
Thanks Motherhen. After 3 days of worsening problems, my PC packed up completely and only a complete reinstallation of Windows, which wasn't without hitches, brought it back to life and fixed my internet problems along the way. I'm now having fun rejigging everything so that I can find it again- I hadn't realised quite how much I'd customised my settings. :)