Can't access forum pages!

Stevescat · Sep 19, 2007, 08:08:12

Since yesterday evening (Tuesday) I can't access the forum at all. I get to the Forum Index, then any link takes me to the same page. This is from home using Firefox on windows. I've emptied the cache, deleted cookies but still can't login or browse as guest. Now, on a MAC (OS9 IE) at work, I get a similar problem, but on a MAC (OSX IE) it's working fine! Anybody any ideas?

Thanks,
Steve.

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 08:21:11

Hi Steve

What URL are you using to get to the forum?

Stevescat · Sep 19, 2007, 08:51:32

Hi Rik,

www.idnetters.co.uk

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 08:54:49

It's got me beat, tbh. No-one else has reported an issue, and one of your three machines is OK, which would seem to rule out bad URLs. You've done everything I would have suggested, so I can't even look wise by telling you to do it.

I've asked Martin to take a look, and see if he can spot the problem.

Stevescat · Sep 19, 2007, 09:13:20

The MAC that couldn't access the site is now working fine, so it's looking like a problem just with my Windows machine at home. Did the improvements to the Idnet website include the Idnetters site?

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 09:18:28

No, the only changes here have been the migration of servers on Monday. Given the second Mac has started working, I wonder if your XP machine will also be OK?

Gary · Sep 19, 2007, 09:20:36

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 19, 2007, 08:08:12
Since yesterday evening (Tuesday) I can't access the forum at all. I get to the Forum Index, then any link takes me to the same page. This is from home using Firefox on windows. I've emptied the cache, deleted cookies but still can't login or browse as guest. Now, on a MAC (OS9 IE) at work, I get a similar problem, but on a MAC (OSX IE) it's working fine! Anybody any ideas?

Thanks,
Steve.

Do all other sites work ok? I always flush my DNS Client when this kind of thing occurs, it could also be problems with your TCP/IP you could use a utility to repair it and see if that helps see this link http://www.xp-smoker.com/freeware.html I have used it myself in the past when I had a clash with Apache and an antivirus utility, also with great success on other machines. Hopefully it was just a DNS glitch and all will be well now, but this is a great little app to keep handy.

Stevescat · Sep 19, 2007, 10:39:03

All other sites are loading OK. How do you flush a DNS client?

Simon · Sep 19, 2007, 10:42:50

From memory, you open a command prompt (in XP: Start > Run > cmd), then type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.

Note, the space between ipconfig and the / is required.

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 10:45:43

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 19, 2007, 10:39:03
All other sites are loading OK. How do you flush a DNS client?

Hi Steve

I've just been talking to Martin, you are hitting the old server, so the problem is definitely your DNS cache. However, you're using Win 98, I believe, and neither he nor I can remember how you flsuh DNS in 98, can you check the help files please, if you're still stuck, let me know and I'll try to find something.

Gary · Sep 19, 2007, 10:46:11

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 19, 2007, 10:39:03
All other sites are loading OK. How do you flush a DNS client?

Sorry I should have put that in my post

Gary · Sep 19, 2007, 10:48:22

Quote from: Rik on Sep 19, 2007, 10:45:43
Hi Steve

I've just been talking to Martin, you are hitting the old server, so the problem is definitely your DNS cache. However, you're using Win 98, I believe, and neither he nor I can remember how you flsuh DNS in 98, can you check the help files please, if you're still stuck, let me know and I'll try to find something.

In Windows 98/ME click Start then Run and type COMMAND and click OK. Then, to actually clear the cache, type the following at the prompt:

ipconfig /flushdns

If the cache successfully cleared, you will see something like this:

C:\>ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 10:51:01

Thanks, Gary, I couldn't remember.

Gary · Sep 19, 2007, 10:54:24

Quote from: Rik on Sep 19, 2007, 10:51:01
Thanks, Gary, I couldn't remember.

No problem Rik, I can't remember who I am so pm me that info please

Lance · Sep 19, 2007, 10:55:16

Quote from: Rik on Sep 19, 2007, 10:51:01
Thanks, Gary, I couldn't remember.

Old age...

Gary · Sep 19, 2007, 10:56:50

Quote from: Lance on Sep 19, 2007, 10:55:16
Old age...

Rik will be after you now Lance

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 11:00:17

I was after him before.

Stevescat · Sep 19, 2007, 12:47:39

Thanks everyone for your help, I'll try your suggestions this evening.

Steve.

Rik · Sep 19, 2007, 12:59:55

Keep us posted, Steve.

Stevescat · Sep 20, 2007, 08:01:37

The situation hasn't changed at all. I've scoured the internet for info about caching in win98 (yes, I'm still using 98), I think this is probably the key to this. I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only one on Idnet using this OS, and consequently I appear to be the only one experiencing this problem. The DNS cache works differently in 98 to subsequent versions of windows (so I've read) the cache doesn't store 'negative' addresses. I tried the 'ipconfig /flushdns' in the command prompt, but it doesn't work, there is no 'flushdns' switch!

Just to recap, I have no problems with browsing with any other sites, only this forum.

Steve.

Rik · Sep 20, 2007, 09:02:18

Hi Steve

I confess I'm out of ideas. I was going to suggest you navigate to the IP address, but it's shared so that won't work. The only other thing I can think of is to try using an alternative DNS server, eg OpenDNS, to see if that breaks the deadlog.

Martin is looking into it, but with the new website this week, he hasn't had as much time as he would like.

Gary · Sep 20, 2007, 09:19:03

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 20, 2007, 08:01:37
The situation hasn't changed at all. I've scoured the internet for info about caching in win98 (yes, I'm still using 98), I think this is probably the key to this. I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only one on Idnet using this OS, and consequently I appear to be the only one experiencing this problem. The DNS cache works differently in 98 to subsequent versions of windows (so I've read) the cache doesn't store 'negative' addresses. I tried the 'ipconfig /flushdns' in the command prompt, but it doesn't work, there is no 'flushdns' switch!

Just to recap, I have no problems with browsing with any other sites, only this forum.

Steve.

Sorry for the misinformation, I have noted on some in depth reading that win98 does not have a DNS client as such, so quite what is going on I do not know either, have a look here maybe some information on this page may help as it deals with the windows hosts file for 98
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win98/reskit/part7/wrkappf.mspx?mfr=true

Stevescat · Sep 20, 2007, 09:20:16

Hi Rik,

I'll try the openDNS thingamy when I get home. Thanks for your help.

Steve.

Rik · Sep 20, 2007, 16:35:30

Hi Steve

Have you seen this:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win98/reskit/part7/wrkappf.mspx?mfr=true

I just wonder...

Gary · Sep 20, 2007, 18:50:30

That what I posted up above