Can't access network switch

[JohnOz]

I've just upgraded to the latest avast version and now I can't access my Linksys WAG54G Switch / Router.

I've gone to the web shield setup and put the IP address in as an exception but I still get :

HTTP 504 - Gateway timeout
avast! Web Proxy

When the server, while acting as a gateway or proxy, contacted the upstream content server, it did not receive a timely response.

GET http://192.168.1.2/

I've searched the forum but can't seem to find an answer to the problem.

Help ... please   

[Vlk]

Would you be willing to do a small experiment? Are you computer proficient (do you know what a command line is)?

Thanks
Vlk

[JohnOz]

Yes, Yes and Yes 

[Vlk]

Good. Let's try the following

1. start cmd.exe (the command line)
2. type

telnet 192.168.1.2 80<enter>

3. type

GET / HTTP/1.0<enter>
<enter>
<enter>

4. some data will likely be returned. Scroll to the beginning and post e.g. the first 20 lines.

Thanks
Vlk

[JohnOz]

When I try to telnet to the switch I get :

Could not open connection to the host, on port 80: Connect failed.

I can ping the switch but I don't know if telnet is refused through avast or at the switch itself.

[JohnOz]

I removed those IP entries from the Web Shield and telnet let me in but I just got a blank screen until I forced the disconnection.

After I hit enter and esc a few times this is what I got :


  <TR><TD class="err">There is a problem with the page you are trying to reach a
nd it cannot be displayed. The request could not be understood due to malformed
syntax.</TD></TR>
  <TR>
          <TD>
                  <HR noShade>
                  <P>Please try the following:</P>
                 <UL>
                  <LI>Click the Refresh button to try again.</LI>
                  <LI>If you believe you should be able to view this directory o
r page,
                        please contact the Web site administrator by using the e
-mail address or
                        phone number listed on the Web site home page.</LI>
                 </UL>
                 <P>HTTP 400 - Bad Request.<BR><DIV class="sign">avast! Web Prox
y</DIV></P>
                 <BR>
                 <CODE>

</CODE>
      </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE></BODY></HTML>


Connection to host lost.

[Vlk]

Connect failed? That's odd... When accessing the switch from the browser, do you specify a port number in the address bar? or just plain http://192.168.1.2 ??

BTW I forgot to say that you should do the experiments with the avast WebShield provider stopped.

Thanks
Vlk

[JohnOz]

I stopped the webshield and I'm back to that original message - connect failed.

When I access it through the browser it just plain old http://192.168.1.2

[Vlk]

And it IS working in the browser?
Maybe you're using a firewall and it's blocking telnet's access?

[JohnOz]

It's not working through the browser at all.  If I have the web shield running I get "The page cannot be displayed" if Web Shield is off I get "Connection refused".

The only software firewall I have is the windows one and it's off.  The Linksys has a hardware firewall but I could access it fine before the avast upgrade.

I'm fairly sure it's not spyware as I regularly run Adaware, Spybot, Microsoft AntiSpyware and a couple of online checkers including Pest Patrol.

[Vlk]

Wll you could try to uninstall avast but I can't imagine which other part of it (besides the Web Shield) could be blocking the access...

[JohnOz]

The uninstall / reinstall seems to have done the trick.  Why is not obvious but it's working so ....

[Vlk]

Reinstall of avast solved the problem?? Strange indeed...

[JohnOz]

I'll amend my last post.  The reinstall worked for a short period but the problems are back again.

This time not only can I not connect to the net but I can't download mail or update the virus defs.

I've uninstalled again but I'm not reinstalling.  Can I get a copy of 4.5 ??  I had no problems while it was installed.