support.avast.com <--- page error

[sunrisecc]

I agree it is not browser dependent.
Computer #1 - Vista using Windows firewall, Defender and no anti-malware running. Both IE7 and FF3 react the same.
Computer #2 - XP Pro using Windows firewall, Defender and no anti-malware running, both IE7 and FF3 react the same.
Computer #3 - XP Pro using Windows firewall, Defender and no anti-malware running, both IE7 and Chrome react the same.

I believe it is a server problem or backbone network problem.
I thought it was a cookie-based problem once. However the browsers use different cookie sets. I have even deleted the cookies to no avail.

I repeat, yesterday I was able to get to the home page of support.avast.com but the blank page happened after I attempted to login. Today i cannot get the home page to display.

[DavidR]

What happens if you open a cmd window and ping support.avast.com, see image.

[sunrisecc]

Here is a traceroute:

[YoKenny]

Seymour, I wonder if it has to do with not having the Fee version of avast!?

When the site worked for me, I was able to register and am currently a registered member of the site. Most of my customers have the paid version; only the home user generally does not.

There are periods of time when I am able to get in with no problem. Today is not one of those times. I have never been able to figure it out as yet.

Are you on Rogers or Sympatico?

Sympatico.

I do not remember ever ever being able to view the site but I am only registered here. 

[sunrisecc]

I am on Rogers. Hence it is not ISP dependent. I did not think so as others in different parts of the world run into the same difficulty.

[DavidR]

I do not remember ever ever being able to view the site but I am only registered here. 

You don't have to be registered to view the site, you only need to register if you wish to enter a support ticket, etc.

[YoKenny]

I do not remember ever ever being able to view the site but I am only registered here. 

You don't have to be registered to view the site, you only need to register if you wish to enter a support ticket, etc.

I do not see the Register button. 
Just a blank page.

[DavidR]

Which is why I posted the image, to show that you actually don't have to register, so it isn't that (not being registered) which is blocking you.

[sunrisecc]

I have made progress.
I went through all my IE7 cookies (2 locations in Vista) and removed all the ones that had avast.com.
I was then able to view the start page and others.
I then checked the cookies again and only one was created for support.avast.com
I went back  to the site and was even able to login successfully. I selected 'remember me', surfed the site and then logged out.
I restarted IE7 and drew a blank page again.
I deleted the support.avast cookie and then was able to view the site.
At least I have a work-around.
The work-around is to delete all support.avast.com cookies. I will only login when required.
I hope this helps.

[sunrisecc]

BTW, the program I used to view and delete only selected cookie(s) is Karen's Cookie Viewer (freeware).

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptcookie.asp

[sunrisecc]

Now even FF works.

[YoKenny]

I can confirm that removing the support.avast.com cookie works for me.

I deleted the cookie that I had saved with CCleaner and verified that it was gone by looking at stored cookies  with WinPatrol.

[sunrisecc]

I suspect that the server is not updating the cookie correctly (depending on what one does) at the support site. At least we have a work-around.

[alanrf]

FWIW ...

I did some playing around with FF settings today and contacting this site and I just cannot make it fail. 

If anyone has any suggestions on how to replicate the problem I'll be happy to give them a try. 

[sunrisecc]

It appears the problem only generates itself when IE7 is used. Using FF exclusively does not put/touch the IE7 cookie.

I can usually generate the problem by logging in to support.avast.com, select 'remember me', peruse the site, shut down IE7, restart IE7 and try to get back to the site. It doesn't always cause the problem but I am able to cause the problem often this way.