Avast WEBforum

Other => General Topics => Topic started by: earguijo on January 20, 2009, 12:11:47 AM

Title: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: earguijo on January 20, 2009, 12:11:47 AM
Hello, I've been trying to use this forum site: http://mychildlossgrief.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php

for the past two weeks and I cannot access it.  I can get the main page, but not the forum which I desperately need.   I keep getting 'Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage '
 I can access it from work and other computers outside my home.  I was told that it could possibly be a anti virus update that is causing the problem.  Unfortunately my internet provider is of no help.  Can you assist?  I have Avast 4.8 home version, Windows XP, DSL with a 2 sire Gateway modem...wireless laptop.  Dell Inspiron 1550.  Not sure how to get the LAN settings.  Can you help me out with any suggestions?
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: DavidR on January 20, 2009, 12:34:10 AM
I strongly doubt it is avast, as a) it isn't a firewall, b) it doesn't block but scans for infection and alerts.

Try clearing the IE Temporary Internet files and 'Cookies' and see if that resolves it.

I can reach the above link you gave using firefox 3, have you tried using a different browser, firefox or opera ?

If they work it would indicate that the problem is with IE (which version ?).
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: ardvark on January 20, 2009, 12:41:20 AM
Hi...

I don't think this issue has anything to do with avast. Otherwise, you most likely would have seen an avast alert window pop up when you tried to access the page. Also, you don't mention that you are having the same issue with any other website.

The page you provided comes up without any problem on my system, (Windows Vista Home Premium x64, Internet Explorer 7.)

Have you tried cleaning out your browser's cache? In Internet Explorer, go to "Tools," then "Internet Options" and then make sure the "General" tab is highlighted. Click "Delete" under "Browsing History." If you are using Internet Explorer 6, please see this page...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/customizing/clearcache.mspx

You can also try accessing the site with a different browser, such as Firefox...

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Hope this helps...

May God Bless you! :)
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: Lisandro on January 20, 2009, 01:20:41 AM
I can connect it through Firefox...
If you disable WebShield from avast, can you connect that site?
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: bob3160 on January 20, 2009, 01:29:56 AM
Quote
If you disable WebShield from avast, can you connect that site?
It's not WebShield or you wouldn't be able to access it in any of the other browsers either.

I also have no problems getting to that website regardless of the browser I've tried and I have more than most at my disposal.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: rdmaloyjr on January 20, 2009, 01:33:44 AM
I can load that site with Opera, Iron & IE, but it loads very,very slow in all three bowsers.  How long did you wait?  I'm on fast cable internet.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: DavidR on January 20, 2009, 01:35:16 AM
That's weird, I'm on dial-up and I didn't find it took long at all to load using firefox.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: rdmaloyjr on January 20, 2009, 01:43:49 AM
I can load anyother site virtually instantly, but http://mychildlossgrief.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php
is slow.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: bob3160 on January 20, 2009, 01:54:07 AM
I can load anyother site virtually instantly, but http://mychildlossgrief.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php
is slow.
As you can see from the attached picture, there isn't any problem loading it from SRWare Iron or any of the others you mentioned.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: hlecter on January 20, 2009, 01:55:14 AM
I went there with Opera and the page loaded fast.

I saw that the latest posting was this one from the administrator:

_______________________________________
Under Attack
« on: November 25, 2008, 10:27:50 AM »   

Our forum has been under HEAVY attack by spam bots for a few weeks now. Due to this issue, security has been raised to the highest level and new accounts must be approved by the administrators.

We do our very best to screen all new accounts as we are adamant about security and preserving the privacy and legitimacy of MCLG members. If your account has been denied, and or banned, and you do have legitimate reason for being a member here, please contact us with verification so that we may resolve your status and offer you support on your journey.

Sincerely,
MCLG Admin Team
admin@mychildlossgrief.org
______________________________________

I don't know it this is related to your problems?

HL
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: rdmaloyjr on January 20, 2009, 02:06:40 AM
http://mychildlossgrief.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php is now loading very fast.  I'm at a loss to explain why, there is no difference in the speed of my internet.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: CharleyO on January 20, 2009, 04:30:20 AM
***

On dialup & using Opera 9.63, the site loaded completely for me in 53 seconds.


***
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: earguijo on January 20, 2009, 05:53:06 AM
Hello everyone, thanks so much for the quick response.  I did delete all temp files using explorer using tools, internet options...delete temp files, cookies, etc.  I downloaded Firefox and did not transfer the settings...but it did the same thing. I am using At&T DSL but infortunately their tech's were of no help.

If you can think of anything else, it would be greatly appreciated.  This forum is my lifeline at this time and I truly need to access it.

May God bless everyone who has been trying to help me.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: earguijo on January 20, 2009, 05:57:49 AM
Oops, I forgot to mention that I am able to get to the main page, it's the forum that I'm unable to access.  I keep getting the error msg.  I have used this page for 2 yrs now but only recently have I not been able to access it.  Again, I can reach it from work but I don't want to use it there because I get very emotional.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: alanrf on January 20, 2009, 06:20:26 AM
Quote
Again, I can reach it from work but I don't want to use it there because I get very emotional.

While I must be thankful that I do not have to tread your path I think we can all understand that.  If I may be allowed to quote my friend ardvark ... May God Bless you!

Can you please tell us about any other security software you have installed on your system?

Also  .... please read this post (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=41780.msg350401#msg350401) by DavidR ... while not directly related to you problem please read it and see if your "hosts" file has been modified  .... if it appears too complicated to follow please let us know and we will try to help further.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: George Yves on January 20, 2009, 07:02:06 AM
I'm using Firefox 3.0.5 (with NoScript, Adblock Plus, WOT, DNS Prefetch and dozens of other extensions), Avast 4.8 Home Edition (with default settings), Spywareterminator 2.3, Windows firewall and Vista Home Basic SP1. My Internet connection is DSL, 128 Kb/s. I could get to the forum almost instantly and had no problems in browsing all its pages.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: alanrf on January 20, 2009, 09:27:43 AM
The fact that many of us can access the forum referred to when the original poster cannot is interesting but simply tells us that another factor may be inhibiting the original poster. 

I suspect it is that factor that needs to be determined, not how many other avast users can get to the site without problems.

If the accessibility of the forum in question has changed for the original poster I have to hope we will be advised.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: Abraxas on January 20, 2009, 02:11:21 PM
Quote
The fact that many of us can access the forum referred to when the original poster cannot is interesting but simply tells us that another factor may be inhibiting the original poster.

Yes, I must agree the fact that others can access the Forum is not at all the point here, earguijo also has been able to, but cannot.
Hopefully a response from him in reference to his HOSTS file may shed some light on the problem, which is obviously based on "his" system, as everyone else can access this site.
The likely problem will I'm sure be found through taking a check of logical steps, HOSTS file, Firewall settings, a Newly installed program which is blocking the site in question, on earguijo's machine.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: ardvark on January 20, 2009, 03:33:48 PM
If I may be allowed to quote my friend ardvark ... May God Bless you!

Hi Alan...

Any time! :)

@earguijo: My prayers are with you and may the Lord heal and comfort you in your time of need and distress! :)

May God Bless you all!
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: DavidR on January 20, 2009, 03:45:18 PM
Personally I would be surprised if this was a HOSTS file blocking issue, as the norm would be to block the domain and not a sub-folder or page of the domain, it will not hurt to check though.

What it might be is very strange, as I was confident that it might be some weird IE7 security setting (I don't use IE7 so I can't help in that regard), which would have meant firefox would have worked, but no.

So the next common factor is your modem/router if that has any outbound firewall ability to block sites (again no broadband/router experience, dial-up only here).

Or if you have any parental monitoring software, to block sites.

I tried a google search on the error text see if there is anything in these hits, http://www.google.com/search?q=Internet+Explorer+cannot+display+the+webpage (http://www.google.com/search?q=Internet+Explorer+cannot+display+the+webpage).

Other than the above I'm at a loss as to what else to try.
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: earguijo on January 21, 2009, 03:42:02 AM
Hello, I have Spybot - Search & Destroy and what ever my internet provider At&t provides online but that I have not downloaded.  I brought my computer to work last week and was able to access the forum from their wireless At&t but when I try it from my home it's impossible?  I know it's not my machine settings otherwise I would not have been able to access it from work with my laptop.  Puzzled.  I also contacted Sharon the web adminstrator at the website and she is sharing info with some other tech's to try and get me back on line.

Bless everyone for trying to help me out.

Respectfully,  earguijo
Title: Re: Need help getting into a forum I have used for the past 2 yrs
Post by: scythe944 on January 21, 2009, 04:24:35 AM
I'd think that this was a DNS issue, but if you can reach the root domain, it's highly unlikely.

DavidR is correct as well, if hosts was configured to load the page on an alternative address, the root domain wouldn't work either.

Maybe there is something wrong with your broadband modem or router.

I've seen weird things like this happen when a modem starts failing, and it loads many different webpages, but not all of them.

It's a longshot, but still a possibility.  Have you had any brownouts / power outages / etc recently?

If you can reach the website at home and not the forum, and reach everything at your work, you pretty much nailed it on the head.  It doesn't seem like your computer has anything to do with the problem.  Next would be your switch / router / or modem.