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

Stevescat · Sep 20, 2007, 20:16:25

Hi everyone,

A quick update.

As a work-around, I found an internet proxy site called BOXOFPROX that successfully allows me to login, browse and post to this forum. Not a complete solution, but it might just stop me going mad with frustration!

Steve.

Simon · Sep 20, 2007, 20:58:02

Hi Steve,

I found this, which seems to indicate that there is a DNS cache in Windows 98, with details on how to clear it:

http://kb.redfoxhosting.com/article.aspx?id=10105

Just to cheer you up a bit, as no one else has awarded you one, have a Karma point!

Rik · Sep 21, 2007, 00:13:14

Sorry, Gary, didn't study the URL thoroughly.

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 06:45:06

Quote from: Rik on Sep 21, 2007, 00:13:14
Sorry, Gary, didn't study the URL thoroughly.

No problem Rik we all make mistakes, see Simons post for details

Stevescat anothe good proxy site is https://proxify.com/ but have a look at thos hosts file links that Rik and I put up and Simons post, see if any of it helps, its odd you can connect via proxy and not straight from your machine so a host/dns problem I would have thought has to be the issue here

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 07:27:46

Quote from: Si6776 on Sep 20, 2007, 20:58:02
Hi Steve,

I found this, which seems to indicate that there is a DNS cache in Windows 98, with details on how to clear it:

http://kb.redfoxhosting.com/article.aspx?id=10105

Just to cheer you up a bit, as no one else has awarded you one, have a Karma point!

Thats what I quoted Simon but Win98 does not have a DNS client like xp/Vista its all a bit...different, its more host file based it appears $:-\$

Stevescat · Sep 21, 2007, 07:48:11

I've got a Karma, I've got a Karma........etc.

Gary,

I tried Proxify, but it doesn't allow you to enter the forum as a guest or login as a member, you have to subscribe to them for that.

Steve.

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 08:38:06

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 21, 2007, 07:48:11
I've got a Karma, I've got a Karma........etc.

Gary,

I tried Proxify, but it doesn't allow you to enter the forum as a guest or login as a member, you have to subscribe to them for that.

Steve.

Try this URL Steve http://proxify.com/ the other one was the https one, this one should allow you to have a play

Stevescat · Sep 21, 2007, 21:05:53

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would make a final post just in case there are any other sados still running win98 and can't access a site.

Then fix that worked for me was to change the MTU setting in the router from 1500 to 1450 and, hey presto, I could access the forum. Then changed the MTU back to 1500 and still OK. Don't know why you guys didn't suggest this in the first place.

I can't take the credit for this solution. I've been reading loads of stories tonight about win98 machines not loading ONE site, and all sorts of solutions being suggested. Then this MTU setting change caught my eye, so I thought I'd give it a try......thank goodness I did.

Any idea why this would cure this problem.

Thanks everyone for your help, especially Rik, we can finally put this post to bed.

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 21:15:48

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 21, 2007, 21:05:53
Hi Everyone,

Thought I would make a final post just in case there are any other sados still running win98 and can't access a site.

Then fix that worked for me was to change the MTU setting in the router from 1500 to 1450 and, hey presto, I could access the forum. Then changed the MTU back to 1500 and still OK. Don't know why you guys didn't suggest this in the first place.

I can't take the credit for this solution. I've been reading loads of stories tonight about win98 machines not loading ONE site, and all sorts of solutions being suggested. Then this MTU setting change caught my eye, so I thought I'd give it a try......thank goodness I did.

Any idea why this would cure this problem.

Thanks everyone for your help, especially Rik, we can finally put this post to bed.

Probably because we don't have enough experience with Win 98 Steve I don't know anyone who runs it which is no excuse, but its hard to gather data on such an old OS these days, what router are you using by the way as mine auto detected a mtu of about 1458 automatically? Glad you found a solution, though.

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 21:19:53

And have a Karma for finding the solution which will be useful if this occurs in the future again

I would leave your MTU at a lower setting anyway 1450-1458 should be fine.

Stevescat · Sep 21, 2007, 21:27:37

Hi Gary,
Didn't mean to offend with my comment, I did put a little winking chap at the end of it. I have a Netgear RangeMax Wireless Router DG834PN.

And thanks for the Karma, it's my lucky night!

Steve

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 21:35:21

Quote from: Stevescat on Sep 21, 2007, 21:27:37
Hi Gary,
Didn't mean to offend with my comment, I did put a little winking chap at the end of it. I have a Netgear RangeMax Wireless Router DG834PN.

And thanks for the Karma, it's my lucky night!

Steve

No offence taken, I had the same router, it was a little temperamental now and then with settings such as MTU as I could not connect my msn messenger through it sometimes and had to reboot it or change the MTU myself, what firmware you have? The first version had some bugs with wpa psk the last version of firmware released is here http://kbserver.netgear.com/release_notes/D103021.asp

Stevescat · Sep 21, 2007, 21:42:52

Hi Gary,

Just checked through your link and I have the latest firmware. I was seriously considering buying myself a new computer this weekend, but the thought of Vista soon snaps me out of that idea.

Steve

Gary · Sep 21, 2007, 21:52:14

SP1 will sort a lot of issues out Steve but you can still order new computers online with XP if required at the moment

Rik · Sep 22, 2007, 00:34:41

Hi Steve

Miriam recommends 1458 as the MTU, I've found that anything between that and 1500 works pretty well for me, but 1458 gives the best throughput. I use an RWIN of 65228.

Congratulations on finding the solution, I'll try and find the 'why' of it.