Pages Not Loading - ISP says security is to blame?

I'm running IE 8 and FireFox 3.0.8 with the same problem.
I have a cable connection with "Cogeco".

Cogecos techie says something in my computer regarding security is preventing me from accessing pages (FaceBook is a good example for this). He "pinged"? FaceBook and says no problem.

I've uninstalled my Comodo Internet Security program, and still have the same problems with pages not loading, just a blank screen in both browsers.

I've tried both older and newer versions of both browsers (it's to the point now where IE refuses to go back to an older version now), several CCleaner scans and re-boots.


What else can I do? He said it was security, yet I uninstalled my security and still the same problem?

 

Re-install Comodo Internet Security sometimes firewalls can leave behind settings after the uninstall that will mess with your internet.

 

Yes, do a search for Comodo and delete all findings. Use Search Companion - the one with the yellow dog - if you're on a XP Home. Then reboot. If the problem stays the same, you should reinstall your security programs immiately. It's not wise to surf without protection.

 

By the way: malware could have done this. Have you done some extra scannings? MBAM and SAS?
MBAM: http://majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html
SAS: http://majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html

 

I installed Comodo again.

When I open IE, the CPU usage jumps to 100%.

Still having problems with Facebook opening in both browsers. The odd time, it'll show the login page, but usually just hangs with a blank screen when it comes to logging in. If I do get logged in, pics are incredibly slow to load, most don't.

Some webpages are fine, like http://sympatico.msn.ca/.

 

I've scanned with Comodo, AdAware, Spybot, Windows Malicious Software Remover and MalwareBytes AntiMalware.
(Spyware Blaster also installed).
I haven't tried the Super AntiSpyware. I'll do that right now.

 

Remember CCleaner also...

http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

 

Got it!

I forgot to mention that, sorry.
:-o
Waiting for the Super AntiSpyware scan to finish, I used the "full" scan.

 

Article: I can't access some websites ... why?
Link: http://ask-leo.com/i_cant_access_some_websites_why.html

 

Oh my!
:eek

I'll try, looks very over my head though!

 

Even though your internet provider, Cogecos, was able to ping Facebook it could be some DNS server issue on their behalf....

 

Yes. Know what you mean. Start with the link in the beginning of the article...

 

I haven't been able to login to Facebook for a couple of days now.
I *think* my problems started when I updated IE and FF??? Maybe just a coincidence.

 

P.S
Should I wait until SuperAntiSpyware has completed its scan before I attempt this Dr.TCP thingy they mention in the article?

 

Have you searched for other remains of old security programs? McAfee, Norton, PC Tools, Avira Antivir, ZoneAlarm and whatever else you have had on that PC over the years? I search in safe mode. Some companies try to hide the fact that they are incapable of making a proper uninstaller and let the residue sit in hidden folders. You'll be surprised...

 

Yes. It'll be done soon anyway. :-D

 

lmao!
Oh wow, no I haven't. Will do after my scan has completed. So far it's been 20 minutes, no threats detected.

 

I tried Facebook again, it slowly allowed me to log on, pics aren't loading. I also received this error;

Connection Interrupted
The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.
The network link was interrupted while negotiating a connection. Please try again.

Still waiting for the scan to complete, it's been 40 minutes... I gotta go to bed shortly, lol... it's almost 1am.

 

Some flushing might help:

Start -> Run -> type -> cmd -> click OK

In the Command Prompt window, type in following commands one by one and hit Enter for each entry:

ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Reboot the PC.

 

Then there is WinSockFix but it's an advanced tool - take care: http://majorgeeks.com/download4372.html

 

SuperAntiSpyware just finished scanning, 0 threats detected.

Gotta go to bed, sorry. I'll have more time tomorrow to continue with all your much appreciated suggestions!

 

Have a nice sleep! See you! :-D

 

I've attached a screenshot, but where it says "MTU", mine is blank. The author mentions 1500? Kinda scared to tinker with this, not sure what to do.

I un-installed and searched for left behind files for Comodo. Reboot. CCleaner.

I tried Facebook again, I was able to log on after a few moments, not all pics would load, seemed to lag/get stuck, I had to press the "stop" button in both FF and IE.

I re-installed Comodo. CCleaner.
Same problems with lagging for some sites, pics not displaying in Facebook as they seemed to be stuck.
IE "not responding" and CPU Usage 100%.

I was able to log on today, did seem to lag, but still same problems.

Done.

This is where I'm at now, I'll continue with the other suggestions made as well.

 

Ok. Done.
Logging on to Facebook no problem, pics aren't displaying though, I had to press "stop" as the browser seemed stuck on that website and a couple others, including MG's. I have the hour glass beside my cursor, CPU at 100% in Firefox, the bottom left of the page continues to say "transferring, etc.".

 

I tried to access the link, it goes to the website , but it's blank, all green, the bottom of the page just says, "transferring data from pixel.quantserve.com", like it's stuck. A lot of pages appear "stuck" and I have to press "stop". Happens in both FF and IE.

I did a speedtest offered through my ISP.
Download: 9454 (Kbps) - advertised at 10 Mbps
Upload: 615 (Kbps) - advertised at up to 640 Kbps

Both of those websites I had to press "stop" on the browser, lags.

I'm sorry for so much info... trying to throw out anything that may help.
I'm focused on Facebook because I have a couple pm's in there that I would like to reply to, but they don't want to load up.

 

From what I've read, there seems to be a compatability view button in IE8 somewhere near the address bar I think. (Haven't seen a pic of it) Apparently some websites are not compatible (yet) with IE 8. See if you find that button and play with it and see whether that button would work in obtaining websites for IE 8. No clue why Firefox is behaving in the same manner.

No way I'm going to download IE 8 yet, therefore can't try it out myself.

 

Ok, thanks for the suggestion. Edited to add, that the IE compatibility view button doesn't always seem to show. Facebook was terrible for loading again, lagging, pics not showing, can't click anywhere, but no button. Yet, all the sudden Facebook loaded ok for a moment in FF. I don't understand.

Yeah, I wish I didn't update IE or FF so quickly, 'cause ever since, I've had problems, maybe just a coincidence.

I've uninstalled and re-installed IE8 and IE7, FF 3.0.8 and FF 3.0.7 so many times, I even tried system restore somewhere in the mess, trying to figure it out, that now I get error messages that won't allow me to go back to IE7.

If I could restore the computer back a month, everything would be perfect, if it went flawlessly... but by my experience, things just get worse.

 

Okay, lets go to RUN and type "cmd" and hit OK. Type in the following command: ipconfig /all

What are your DNS settings? (IP address)

 

I took a screenshot for you.

 

From the looks of it, your computer is directly connected to your cable(or DSL) modem which is in bridge mode.

Looks like your ISP is giving you your DNS servers. Try getting adding a DNS entry to your DNS server list. Find your network connection, go to properties, goto properties on your TCP/IP settings, go to Advanced, and select the DNS tab. Add a new entry 4.2.2.1 and move it to the top with the arrows to the right.

 

k, done.

 

Any differences?

 

Various websites are very slow to load, if they do... the "circle" in Firefox won't stop spinning and there's an hour glass beside my mouse arrow, until I press "stop". It seems to never be done.
Facebook has started working better.

edited to add..
Those same websites seem to be better now, maybe I had to visit them a few times?

Edited to add..
Nope.. just checked the weather page again, and this time it won't load at all.

Everything is hit and miss.

*** If I just try another system restore and go as far back as I can, would that help get me back to previously whatever went wrong? ***

 

Updated

Hi! Along with all the above suggestions and fixes, I tinkered more with some settings I came across on Google (wow, there's a lot of complaints out there!). IE and FF seem to be running a little smoother... so far.
I stopped juggling back and forth with all the restore points I created along the way, that just seemed to create more problems.

Here's what I did, from what I remember and not necessarily in order, lol...

In addition to all the above suggestions and fixes...

(By the way, that thing I did with the DNS server thingy as suggested, adding 4.2.2.1, what is that? Would my cable company be upset? How do I reverse it back if needed?)

IE 8 "not responding" when I open it, CPU jumps to 100%. Again, I tried to go back to IE 7, it wouldn't let me, tried to download 8 over top the current 8, wouldn't let me.

I reinstalled Comodo after rebooting from the failed attempt at installing IE7 and used this configuring thingy for FireFox http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Configuring+Comodo+Internet+Security

I came across another post,
Open IE8
Tools > Internet Options > Advanced - Reset.
The CPU still jumps to 100%, IE8 continues to open slowly, but so far the "not responding" has stopped.

This mixture of fixes must've done somethin'! lol Just dunno which one exactly.

I created a new restore point, no more going back, I'll deal with it! lol

 

You may want to look at the link below. It could be Spybot and SpywareBlaster that's interfering with IE 8 or the other way around.

Try first to UNDO the immunization of Spybot and "Disable all protection" in SpywareBlaster and see if that helps. I'd reboot after that. If that doesn't help, do the following:

If you do want to uninstall Spybot and SpywareBlaster to try it if it will help with your problem:

Prior to uninstalling UNDO the immunization of Spybot, then uninstall Spybot.
Prior to uninstalling SpywareBlaster, click "Disable all protection" prior to uninstall.

Here's the link: http://groups.google.com/group/micr..._frm/thread/3ef37656ce18f036/579478566ac1ee9b

(As a last resort you can also try the other option mentioned in that link, post 8, #1)

I really keep my fingers crossed for you and hope it helps. Good luck Oooops!!

PS: Please let us know what and if it worked for you!!

 

Forgot to say that you need to reboot after uninstalling the above software. :-o I always do that after an uninstall, it's so automatic that I therefor forgot to mention it.

 

I uninstalled the 2 programs as suggested... I saw an immediate change!
For the first time, I opened IE8 without the CPU shooting up to 100% and the browser opened faster... didn't seem to hang/freeze as before.
So far so good!

Thank you!
:celebrate

 

SpywareBlaster fixed that in a new version 4.2 that came out the day before yesterday: http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html

However Spybot seems to have even more problems with IE8. Somehow it does not surprise anyone that Spybot was totally unprepared for IE8. They have had a full year to prepare for it.

Here's what they say about it themselves: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

 

Thanks for the link!

 

You should run Secunia permanently. That'll tell you what's new. http://majorgeeks.com/Secunia_Personal_Software_Inspector_PSI_d6096.html

 

Glad it worked for you Ooops!!

The same may work for others who downloaded IE 8 or get an automatic Windows update for IE 8 in the near future and have Spybot and SpywareBlaster installed.

As far as I understand IE 8 loads restricted sites in its browser and that may conflict/clash with these 2 software programs but one is supposed to be protected by IE 8 now.

 

Oh boy cordialis, are you ever so fast!! :-D It took me ages just to reply to Ooops and meanwhile being busy replying you posted about a new version of SpywareBlaster. By co-incidence I downloaded that new version just yesterday.

 

Ha! :-D The new SpywareBlaster runs fine with IE8.

 

Thanks!
You guys are the bestest!!!