Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: stephenc on July 12, 2013, 05:34:47 PM
-
For some reason my PC will not open a specific URL in any browser (IE, Chrome Firefox or Torch) however when I type the URL into a proxy server page it loads fine.
I can also get the URL in a laptop connected to the same home wifi network.
I'm using Avast free anti virus but don't see anything wrong here in the settings. I've even disabled it while testing.
It's a work extranet URL so I'm afraid I can't post it
Advice appreciated!
-
Why won't it load, e.g. error message or avast alert, etc. what ?
Without the URL it may be somewhat difficult to pin down the cause. What is your operating system and firewall ?
You say that you have tried it with avast disabled, yet you still have a problem ?
-
Try to open your URL in Safe Mode + Networking Enable. If that works, your issues may be related with Avast, otherwise you should check for other things.
-
That may be a bit of a stretch considering the OP has tried with avast disabled in normal mode.
-
The error message I get when trying to load the page on my desktop PC is -
IE8 - Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
Firefox - The connection has timed out
My OS is XP Pro x64 Serv Pack 2. The firewall is on.
I'm unable to try it in Safe Mode as it won't connect to the internet on my wifi.
The URL is 100% and loads fine from my laptop on the same wifi network, but just won't load at all on my desktop.
-
The attached may give a better idea of the problem. On the left is the URL being loaded into IE without success. On the right is the same URL being loaded into a proxy server at http://tunnel.freefromall.com/index.php also in IE.
It is only this 1 URL which I'm unable to load (as far as I know) but it's a particularly important one.
-
Try changing DNS servers.I had problems with some sites with DNS servers from my ISP.
I am using Norton DNS and Open DNS.You can change them quickly with DNS Jumper.
http://www.sordum.org/7952/dns-jumper-v1-0-5/
-
Thanks for this abruptum, but I'm a bit wary of changing dns settings and even if it worked, it would be a work around and not a fix.
I've never had any problem with the URL before and so there must be an easy solution to resolving it; problem is I just can't find it :'(
-
There is nothing wrong with changing your DNS servers. People do it all the time. I use OpenDNS myself and they even show you how to change it. OpenDNS is probably the best DNS servers.
http://www.opendns.com/
-
First you need to rule out if you can reach that URL, using ping command. Than try to access your URL directly from its IP address. Also, to be sure, try an DNS clear, using Start/Run type "ipconfig /flushdns".
-
I ran the flushdns command first as that was the easiest (didn't work)
I then did a reverse ip address, ended up at http://www.ipchecking.com/ and tried http://5.57.16.51/ This did not work either but I double checked the address was correct on my laptop and after a warning about the site being safe, it loaded it so I know its on my PC and not router.
I'm afraid I don't know how to ping the URL
-
About PING command forget it, I tried to ping your IP 5.57.16.51, it seems to have blocked ICMP. Take a look at: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. Find "hosts" file and try to open with Notepad. Check there for any suspicious configuration. By default this file is like in attachment.
I don't think Avast has to do with this issue. In any case, uninstall Avast, and test your page without it. :)
-
Thanks eltonzoto, I've tried to check the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers but to be honest, I don't really know what to look for or what other folders to check.
I also disabled Avast from the system tray, restarted the PC and tried again but without success; it still won't load the site.
Do you really think totally uninstalling Avast will make any difference?
Surely there must be a clue in the fact that -
A - it loads on my laptop on the same wifi.
B - it loads when I use a proxy server on the PC.
With regard to the proxy, surely if Avast was the problem it wouldn't allow it to load?
-
I still believe the problem is with default DNS servers from your ISP.
In my case sites were also working with proxy.When I changed DNS
servers sites were working fine without proxy server.
Use DNS Jumper,it is easy.You don't have to install anything,just unzip
file and run DnsJumper.
-
Hi stephenc,
Regarding Windows hosts file. You must follow this path: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
where "etc" is directory. Inside "etc" you can find the file called "hosts". Open it, using
Notepad or any text editor, and check if there are changes compared with default configuration (like in attach image). In many cases, the "hosts" file is object of malwares which modify the basic configuration.
You can try DNSJumper mentioned by abruptum, but IMO, you are using the same ISP, so if the DNS would be the root cause, both computers should have same symptoms. Anyway, rule out this option.
-
Apologies eltonzoto, I thought by etc you meant other similar drivers :-[
Anyway, I've now checked and it says simply -
127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost
Does that mean anything?
-
Good, that's the default config.
Btw, have you tried disable Windows Firewall?
-
I still believe the problem is with default DNS servers from your ISP.
In desperation I've tried this as the attached image shows and still no joy :(
-
The reason you may have trouble getting there with IE is because the certificate has expired
-
I thought I'd found the answer here. If I go to Tools | Intenet Options | Security and then click to open Restricted Sites and then click Sites, I get the attached which includes a list of IP addresses with wildcards.
Highlights them and then clicking remove does not work. I did manage to remove a few but quite a few are left. The only problem is that I don't see the IP address of the problem site and also this is in IE. Surely this would not block IP's in other browsers?
-
The reason you may have trouble getting there with IE is because the certificate has expired
Yes, but why would I be able to view it on another computer also on XP and IE8?
Also, I'm the only one having this problem with the URL.
-
Why are you restricting all those site? Have you cleaned out your cookies and temp files?
-
Yes, I've run ccCleaner, Temp file remover, Super Anti Spyware and one or two other programs but I can't remove this IP'addresses from the list. I'm not even sure how they got there but they won't delete.
-
Its actually best not to use Internet Explorer. But Internet Explorer does have a reset option. Have you tried that?
-
Just reset all zones back to default level and applied it. Restarted IE browser but IP addresses are still there and still unable to remove.
I wonder if these IP addresses are held in the registry and apply to all browsers?
-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CUrrentVersion/Internet Settings/ZoneMap/Domains
The IE Restricted Sites by default should be empty. Maybe in the past you've used any software which must have added this list for immunize affect against malwares. I too have many domains inside Restrict Zone. This happened after I scan my PC with Advanced System Care 6.
The weird thing is, I can delete these entries directly for IE, without any problem. While for you, as you mentioned, it's impossible! :o
-
This could be the problem eltonzoto. I'd wanted to post an image showing the domain name listed in that directory but as I only have 4 images per post the forum won't let me.
So how do I remove it? I'm very wary of doing anything in the reg and am not even sure how to back it up - do I export as there is no 'save' option.
-
I deleted my entries without problem from Regedit. But before doing this, first make a backup (export) only to directory-key Zonemap. Or you can use Eusing Free Registry Cleaner 3.2: http://www.eusing.com/downloadfree/EFRCSetup.exe
There you can find an option at File/Backup Full Registry.
-
I've deleted the entry but it has made no difference. The IP addresses with wildcard ** at the end are still there and still cannot be removed.
-
Hmmm! :(
Take a look on this site: http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/restricted.htm and try DelDomains.inf. I tested on my laptop, worked fine. In your case, maybe is better to do that job in Safe Mode.
-
The good news is that it has deleted the list of domains. The bad news is that the specific URL will still not load.
-
Situation is becoming interesting. :)
Have you tried with different browser e.g Chrome or Opera? Just to test it. If you choose an Chrome based browser, I suggest Comodo Dragon. Has better install/uninstall features than Google Chrome.
-
I have 4 browsers installed and they report as follows -
IE8 - Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
Firefox 22.0 - The connection has timed out
Google Chrome - This webpage is not available
Torch - This webpage is not available
The mystery continues...
-
Have you checked your HOSTS file?
-
Just read through this and having a problem w/ Avast refusing to allow a certain site at my local County, only if I use my non-secured (I'm in Noman's land) wireless modem. Have asked for opinions on another thread. Hardwired other provider allows me to go to this page fine with this laptop. I have Chrome and Windows 7 Professional, and Avast free.
This morning called the County - their IT fellow had no issues. I also tried using IE on my computer (which I almost never use anymore since it has issues) and could not get to the site.
Tried my old internet provider that doesn't use wireless, and no problem. As soon as I go back to using my wireless modem, voila, Avast's pop-up about securing my home network pops up, and I can't get to that County site. Blank page consistently.
Just added this in as perhaps the OP and I may be having some similar problem? Avast 800 tech said simply uninstall and reinstall. Why would that change anything?
-
You would be best starting your own new topic as one of the problems here is that the OP can't give us the URL so no one can investigate it.
So if you are able to give a URL that would be best for you as it is something that can be tested. You should also give some information about your network settings, which are typically Home, Work, Public. I have my network connection set to Public which is the strongest setting on my windows network settings. I also have WPA2 as the Wi-Fi Protected Access and I have never had avast give this kind of un/non-secured notice.
-
Its just to post an update to the situation. I kept fiddling about with different settings, etc and eventually decided to do a repair on the Windows installation. It got most of the way through to the point where it said 'Plase wait while setup initializes your Windows installation' saving configuration ... and then froze on me.
Unfortunately, when I restarted the system it had lost the configuration and the Windows files. I tried again but the same problem occured. I tried to force it to start at the last setting Windows had run on but this failed as did starting it in Safe Mode - come on M'Soft; get your act together as this should not happen!!
Anyway, I'm now at the point where I'm probably going to have to format and reinstall; unless anyone has any ideas?
A big thanks to all for your help, we nearly got there!
-
Sorry it wasn't more productive.