webpage won't open

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to access a race forum I frequent but haven't been able to on my home computer for about 4 days now. Initially the site said it would be doing some maintenance as it moved it's servers and that was the last time I was on the site.

I've been able to access this same website at my friends performance shop everytime, and as soon as I go home I can't access it. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do on my end to remedy this as I have asked several friends if they can log on and they can.

I've went to internet options and deleted all cookies and all files plus used ad-aware and ccleaner and still cannot log on at home, the only thing I haven't done is to flush my restore points.........Thanks for any input.

ps. I forgot it says "cannot find server"


Peace :cool


James

 

What browser are you using? Have you tried using a different browser?

 

I have Internet explorer and just have installed Firefox minutes ago but it didn't work either, it said the page timed out.

I would just like to use Internet explorer instead of using another browser just to view a webpage that I always could until now, I must be missing something somewhere.


Peace :cool


James

 

You may be going through a DNS server that still has the old IP address cached for that domain.

If a piece of your equipment is acting as a DNS server then you may be able to resolve the issue yourself. If not, then you may have to wait until the DNS server's entry for that website expires and it gets updated.

You should check to see wether or not your modem or router can be configured for DNS, and if so how to check to see that it is. If it is, then you will need to find out how to either clear the cached data so that it retreives new data or disable the DNS function and configure it to use another DNS server, which you'll probably have to the IP address of from your ISP.

Hope this helps.

 

Please give us the URL of the website.

Also try Start>Control Panel>Internet Options>Security Tab>Click on the Trusted Sites green checkmark Icon>then Sites button and enter URL of the site and push the add button. Does this help?

 

Thanks Unbanable but unfortunately I'm not that computer savy enough to know what to look for and where to check as far the router (which I have a wireless Netgear).

I do know I have the "Network and Internet Connections" in the Control Panel but I don't know what to look for or even if this is what you are talking about as far where I should go to check the router.


Peace :cool


James

 

Thanks sach2 I just tried that but it didn't work I did notice that when I entered the URL that it said: "Sites added to this zone must use the https:// prefix. This prefix assures a secure connection" so I had to add an "s" to the end of the http prefix so that I could even enter the site to the trusted list.........that was strange or was it?.

On my home computer the site is in my favorites as: http://www.corral.net/forums/, and at my friends shop I noticed that it was saved in his address bar as http://forums.corral.net/forums/, I thought maybe the site had updated the URL or something but it didn't work when I got home.



Peace :cool


James

 

I just tried your link to the site and had no problem entering the site.

Adding an "s" to http sends your browser to a totally different web address.
https sites are more secure, but adding the "s" manually does nothing except send you to a nonexistant address.

It sounds from your description of the problem,that your web browser is blocking this site for some reason.
You can temporarily reduce your secuirty setting in Internet Options, and see if this allows you to access the site.
If not check the settings on your firewall and see if the problem is coming from there.

 

Thanks joelsz,

I'll keep playing with it and try your suggestions I just wonder how all of a sudden I can't log on when I've been going to this forum for years.


Peace :cool


James

 

For some reason I'm unable to move the slider when I go to internet options, security, and then custom level, it immediately goes to security level , which I've never noticed..........strange but I've always been able to move that slider up until now.

Peace :cool


James

 

Is it worth going back to a previous restore point when it was working? or is that just a band-aid?

 

Certainly going to an earlier incarnation using System Restore is a good idea.
You will of course, lose any new software that you have installed since that restore point; so don't use it too much.

 

Will that affect any security updates that have since automatically installed?, I have about 10 restore points and can go back as far as March 9th............if it won't affect any updates security-wise then I'll try it immediately.


Peace :cool


James

 

Does www.corral.net load?

 

No it still says "page cannot be displayed cannot find server".

 

It seems like it must be a firewall problem if both IE and FF don't let you load the page. I'm not too savvy on firewalls. I agree with joelsz system restore is an easy way to fix weird configuration changes that have recently happened.

 

Yes System Restore will delete any updates that have occured after the restore point.
But if you have automatic updates enabled the updates should be reinstalled as soon as the next update is issued (an almost daily occurrence).
To be sure you can visit microsoft.com and let it check to see if all your upadtes are current.

 

Thanks sach2 for your help, and joelz Thanks for your help as well.........I will try the system restore and hopefully all will be resolved........I'll let you know in a few.


Peace :cool


James

 

Well System restore wouldn't work on any of the 10 restore points, it said it couldn't restore "software distribution service 3.0" (which I had 8 of these restore points) and it couldn't restore "system checkpoint" (which I had 2 of these restore points)........after all of this I get a message saying this http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5796/norton5kn9.jpg............I don't know what that means.


Peace :cool


James

 

This is what I have on my Norton personal firewall page I didn't see anything about where I can allow a webpage to be accessed, again maybe I'm missing something.


Peace :cool


James


http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5166/norton1cm3.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/6783/norton2as7.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/6884/norton3yd1.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8732/norton4py5.jpg

 

I just tried to access the race forum on our laptop and it didn't work either and I tried about 5-6 times, so how can this be if I'm on 2 seperate computers at my house and can't log on................I'm totally lost on this one.


Peace :cool


James

 

Like I said I'm not up on firewalls but Exclusions might be the place to add a site.

I don't know how Norton works (if is possible for it to be protecting both computers in your home from one instance of it running) but your router also has a firewall and could be blocking the site only I can't imagine how settings could be changed there. Wait and see if someone more experienced answers this thread.

 

Sometimes your ISP (Internet Service Provider - Like Comcast or ATT for example) will block a site, usually because they have received complaints about the site from other customers.
If this is indeed the case, then any computer connected to your internet connection won't be able to access that site.
The easiest way to check this is to take your laptop to another location (your work; Starbucks; Wendy's etc.) that uses a different ISP and see if you can get the site there.

 

If for no reason other than proving me wrong and satifying my curiosity, please type "http://12.28.177.200/" without the quotes into your web browser's address line.

If you get to the corral.net home page, then you most likely are hitting a DNS server that has the old web servers IP address cached.

 

I just got off with a rep from Time Warner Cable and after approx 1 hour the conclusion is that there is something on my end, probably in the firewall. He had me do a command prompt PING and said everything was good as my computer was able to commuicate I assume with the website Corral.

They had me do stuff I had already tried such as clearing all cookies and temporary files, they were stunned that I couldn't access the website on Firefox (which I downloaded last night).

They wanted me to plug the computer directly into the modem with an ethernet cable but I don't have one as my desktop and laptop are both wireless. But he definitely said there was nothing wrong on their end, he also had me disable my Norton firewall and I still couldn't access the site, so I guess somewhere in that firewall setting is the key........I guess.

They could access the website no problem and they gave me many addresses to try but still no luck so that is where I'm at now still stuck. They really didn't tell my anything to help me only confirmed that my computer has an issue.

I guess it just gets me that I haven't even touched Norton's firewall in 4 months since I got the new version and installed it and never had an issue with getting on this website when running Norton (about 5 years now).


Peace :cool



James

 

Unbanable I just tried it and I got this..........................

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8166/corraljy0.jpg

 

Can you temporarily turn off the firewall in the router?
Because you are having this problem with any computer that is using this wireless router, I strongly believe that it is where the problem lies.
This could be proven conclusively if you take the laptop to a wireless hot spot using another wireless system and try it there

 

joelsz I haven't been able to take the laptop out and try it somewhere else but I will soon, how would I be able to turn off the router firewall? I have a netgear router now.


Peace :cool



James

 

The Netgear setup sequence is outlined here:
ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/wnr854t_setup_manual.pdf
(Page 11)
Once you are logged into the router try setting it up manually
(Page 13)

 

joelsz I'm looking and I don't see anything about how to disable the firewall I looked closely at page 11 and page 13, I guess my eyes are just tired from being at the computer since dawn, if nothing else I'll hit the road tonight in search of a wifi.............this thing hasn't won yet.


Peace :cool


James

 

Often I find that walking away from a problem for awhile is the best course of action.
Give you head a little time to absorb what you've seen so far.

 

Ok I just got back about an 1 hour ago and the laptop accessed the Corral webpage perfectly at Panera Breads WIFI station and did it at least 5 to 6 times. So yeah joelsz it was indeed the router!, I got ahold of my Cable company and they'll be sending a new wireless router next Saturday so I guess I'll have to wait.

Thanks for everyones help joelsz, Unbanable, sach2, and dlb I really apprecitate it I wouldn't of suspected the router at all I'm just proud to be a member of the finest Computer based forum bar none......................Major Geeks baby!! :major


Peace :cool


James

 

:wave
Go team
:clap

 

plodr thanks for your suggestions I'm assuming it's possible to use an ethernet cable with a wireless router how would I go about doing that?, is it something so simple as hooking the ethernet cable into the router and then into the back of the desktop?.

And if so how would I gain access on our laptop would I have to buy an additional ethernet cable for this? And lastly as far as the security check you are talking about is it something the cable tech would be able to program if I asked them to? as I'm not to handy with computer technical related things.


Peace :cool


James

 

Every wireless router I have ever seen also has wired ports in the back. It would be as simple as plugging one end of the $5 cable into the router (port 1 preferably but it shouldn't matter) and the other end in to the laptop ethernet port.

You don't have a cable running from the modem to the router? Or maybe it's a modem/router all-in-one unit like SBC/2Wire issues sometimes....

 

Ok dlb but both the desktop and laptop are wireless but the laptop is rarely used but just for verification once the new router is up and running just plug one end into the desktop and the other end into the router (same for the laptop).......I hope they make long ethernet cables as the distance to the router to the desktop is about 15-20'

I have a power cord running to the wall (the plug-in is to the right of the antenna, and the cable/tv is run to the wall as well off a splitter (the plug-in is to the extreme right)........as pictured below

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1647/netgearqo5.jpg


I have the 54 MBPS WIRELESS CABLE MODEM GATEWAY CG814WG that is what the cable company gave me it has worked well except for this issue.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/GWirelessRouters/CG 814WG.aspx


Peace :cool


Jame

 

this is really weird... i was having problems with www.corral.net too and can not get it to load for me on either of my home computers, but works every where else.

so i was doing a google search and came across this thread.

we both have the SAME modem/router and ive been on the phone with comcast twice now and was trying to have them reset my IP since i figured that was the problem and somehow i got accidentally IP banned (which i know i would of had no reason to get banned)

i can get on corral just fine on my computer thru a proxy server, but not directly just going to the site.

we are having all the same problems and tried all the same things.

I have a comcast tech coming out tomorrow to look at it.

I just stopped being able to get on corral.net after they did the updates last week... was that when u stopped being able to get on? Maybe it has something to do with the modem/router we are using since we both have the same one and the same problem.

 

Yes stylin97 the problems started last week sometime when they announced the updates to their servers I like you can get on the Corral.net anywhere else except my own house no matter which type computer I use.............strange isn't it?

Please let me know what the comcast tech says tomorrow after they look at it. I don't know if it will fix the problem but the Time Warner rep assured me that a new router would cure my problem..................but that remains to be seen, I know I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.


Peace :cool



James

 

it seems to me that our IP's somehow got blocked or something of the sort that has to do with the modem/router we use since we both have the same one. We both dont really seem to know to much about computers and what to do haha.

Someone told me its probably my MAC address and to change that. I read how to do it manually but couldnt figure it out. I downloaded a few programs that supposedly do it for you but nothing made any difference.

Its been really frustrating. Ive tried contacting the mods/owners on Corral a number of times now and only got one reply and he asked me if i could get on thru a proxy server, which i can... but no reply after that.

For the mean time, just use http://freeproxyserver.net/ to get on corral till we figure this out. Let me know if you find out anything new

 

Yeah tell me about it..........it has been extremely frustrating as I couldn't figure out what was going on as I've never had this problem in the years and years I've been going to this forum.

I had the owner email me but he didn't ask me about a proxy server and oh yeah..................THANKS FOR THAT LINK!!!!!

I'll be sure to update you on anything I find out but you'll find out something before I will as a tech is scheduled to come out to my house this Saturday...........Thanks again for that link!


Peace :cool



James

 

What sucks is i dont think this is a Comcast problem so the lady told me ill probably have to pay for the tech visit... sigh.

What did the owner from Corral say to you? They say on their contact page that they get back to 99% of their emails on the same day... ive sent like 2-3 emails and like 2 PM's

Im almost positive it has something to do with the update they did to their servers and now it doesnt like something about our router.

what is your MAC address? .. what version of windows are you on? if XP/2000 to find it.. "Click on the start menu. Choose Run. Type "cmd" (without quotes) in the text bar and click on OK. Type "ipconfig /all" (without quotes) and press Enter. Your MAC address will be the field labelled "Physical Address"."

 

The fact that a proxy web server does allow you to get through to the site would seem to indicate that your problem is that your ISP (I think you said Comcast) was blocking the site or perhaps blocking something that the site has written into their page code.
You said that the problem only arose right after the site changed its format, which would also point to this as being the problem.
If the problem were in the router then I doubt that the router would allow the proxy server to relay the site to you.
Basicly a web proxy site (if I understand it correctly) simply bypasses your ISP's filters.

 

Im thinking its on Corral's end blocking something of ours... dont you?

 

Perhaps, but I can't imagine why a site such as this one would intentionally limit who could view them.

 

stylin97 I'm on Windows XP, joelsz yeah it's strange that we can't get on from our home computers what a strange coincedence!!!!!!!!. The site did do an update as stated earlier but why are our computers having a difficulat time and nobody elses (at least that I know of in my immediate area).

Only time will tell what's your opinion on the whole matter joelz? I mean if the techs come to both of our houses and change both of our routers (with new identical ones) and then we still have the same problem then what?.............


Peace :cool



James

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that new routers are going to change anything.
I would be very interested if someone else who also subscribed to Comcast and was using a different router, could access the site.

 

quartermilerocket.. did you look up your MAC address? post up the results

edit - also where do you live at?

 

Yeah I was thinking the same thing maybe my cable rep/cable company will have an alternate router as I don't want to go around and around and get nowhere.

Yeah I saw it but I decided not to post it up as I'm not sure if it's safe or not safe since it's a public forum and accessible by anyone, I'm not meaning to be weird or anything but you just can't be too careful these days.................know what I mean?


Peace :cool



James

 

i started a thread over on Corral about it, maybe they will give us some help.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=64

your gonna have to copy that link into the proxy server website to view it tho


you dont live in FL too by chance do you?