problem accessing banking and some retail sites

A couple of weeks ago, I got the "blue screen of death". After trying a few things, all seemed to be working properly. Then about a week ago, I started having trouble ordering from a website. I registered, logged in and put items in my cart. Every time I clicked "proceed to check out" it would kick me back to the log in page. After trying this several times and going around and around in circles, I emailed the site and their webmaster said it had to do with my privacy settings, to change it to at least "medium high". I was already at medium so I didn't think that was the cause, but I tried changing those settings and it didn't help.

I discovered that I not only was having a similar problem getting into my banking site, but that I am able to work in both these sites from a different computer so I assumed it was something wrong with my computer or settings. I don't know a lot about computers and what to do if they are not working properly, but I've done all the following:
- "system restore" to an earlier date (no noticeable changes)
- deleted cookies
- cleared history
- downloaded latest "critical updates" including IE 7 (thought out of date IE was the problem!)
- ran a register scan (no problems found)(later ran another scan with different download, lots of problems found and had it correct all it would free. Didn't want to pay at this time!)
- ran a virus scan (no problems found)

I'm using Windows XP, Version 5.1, Service Pack 3 and IE 7.

I continue to have problems. Can you suggest anything else to try? If it were just that one retail site I could live with that, but I NEED to get in to do my banking and my Mother's banking. Help!

I read through a previous thread on this forum concerning what seemed to be a similar problem, but it was a couple of years old and no final resolution was posted. Should I try downloading Firefox to see if I can get there with that to determine if IE is the problem? I'm not really familiar with it, but heard enough to think it might be worth a try. Can I download Firefox and try it, but still go easily back to IE if needed? I'm trying very hard to try everything suggested but worry that some of this may be over my head. Am I making a simple problem harder than need be?

Thanks,
Patti

 

Downloading and installing FF is not a problem. You can always switch back and forth between IE and FF. If you install FF and want IE to remain your default browser just don't let FF make itself the default browser when it prompts to do so on first use.

It has been a while since I've had this problem. It has something to do with secure websites (banking,shopping) not being allowed. I don't use IE but I'll look around for possible fixes. Look at this page and try the SSL test site link so we can be sure it is a secure website problem. Also make sure you deleted Temp Internet Files when you deleted History etc.

 

I went to the SSL test site link you suggested and ran the test. Everything there seemed to be OK. I also checked the other things recommended on that page. I deleted cookies, temporary internet files and history. The only thing I didn't do on that part is delete passwords. I hoped that wasn't necessary, but will do that also if you think that may be a problem. No change. Stil cannot get into banking site. I appreciate the help so far, but welcome any other suggestions. This can get very frustrating. Luckily I seem to be able to do everything except shopping and banking so maybe we can find a solution.

 

Have you downloaded FF yet.

 

No, I was just about to. Did you have a comment about using FireFox?

 

no comment about firefox I was just curious to see if using ff would you be able to connect. If you still cannot connect after ff installation then the problem is within your computer not the program.

 

I was finally able to download and install Firefox. It took several tries. I was able to get into the bank site and all seems OK on the retail site I was having problems with. I guess that means my problem was with IE. I really would like to figure out what the problem is with IE so I would appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Thanks to all who have offered help thus far.

Patti

 

Can you try to uninstall IE7 then reinstall it. I know this is not a cure all and there may be something simple that I am missing, but IE7, though a large file, is free so the only thing you be missing if you uninstalled would be your settings you already have. I personally only uninstall and reinstall as a last resort so if you can hold on you will probably get a better answer but worst case you have the uninstall option

 

Thanks for the input Buggabear. I'm about pooped from dealing with this all day, so think I'll sleep on it and hope someone else will help find an answer. In the meantime, I can do my current business so I'm better off than I was a few hours ago!! I will try the uninstall and reinstall of IE7 if no one has a better idea, but since the problem started before I upgraded to IE7, I don't hold a lot of hope that the solution is that simple.

Thanks again,
Patti

 

Hi Patti,

I'm glad FF is working for you. I've been in and out all day and haven't been looking into this problem. I had the exact same problem with FF about a year ago and the basic list on the page I referenced earlier didn't work for me either. I'm going to look around the FF site to see if something jogs my memory about the eventual fix I found. There may be something applicable to IE. On the Windows update page I remember an update for Security Certificates coming down about a month ago. I don't think it was critical but you might check the updates recommended for your computer just to see if one dealing with certificates has not been installed so we can rule that out.

 

Try resetting IE. In IE>Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Reset.

 

Well Sach2, I don't know what Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Reset did that we hadn't already tried, but for now anyway....I'm in my banking site in IE!! Thanks to all for your help. I'm not sure this is really over, so if anyone has further input, I'm listening! I'm glad someone recommended this site and thanks to you all for your help and time.

Patti

 

Glad you got it sorted Probably just a corrupt file that contains settings somewhere or other. I think you'll be fine.