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General discussion

Can't access certain websites.....mainly Cnet's Techrepublic

Jul 3, 2005 3:10AM PDT

I subscribe to Cnet's Techrepublic, and most of their newsletter's links do not work for me. They once worked, then about 2-3 weeks ago they stopped working for me. They do not work with Maxthon or IE, which I use, and I am using the canned Hosts file that came with the system, so there is nothing in the Hosts file that could prevent them from working. I disabled my virus and firewall software, and still do not work. So something else is astray, and I cannot figure it out.

BTW, the links work with Firefox, so I know they are valid links. I fired off a question to Techrepulic, but they never responded with any possible solutions.

These are the websites that I cannot access, all others I have no problems with:

http://ct.techrepublic.com.com/clicks?c=241372-1721644&brand=techrepublic&ds=5''
and
http://techrepublic.com.com/

Discussion is locked

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Hi, I can't help you but
Jul 3, 2005 3:49AM PDT

I had the same thing happen with IE.

Only site affected was CNET (my IE shutdown if I tried navigating this site with it or clicked on any links-- could still reach it thru my favorites menu but no other way).

I am PRETTY sure it was related to Spybot (I had just enabled all Spybot preotections beyond "immunize", ie, host files and IE browser protections).

I found if I reloaded the MS hosts file, the problem went away, but not if I used the MVPS hosts file. I can't swear the two things are at all related, but given that it worked with the Sample Hosts file but not not the MVPS I assume that there is something causal there.

My guess is it has to do with Spybot's settings.

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Sorry, I still have the problem
Jul 3, 2005 7:07AM PDT

I have no protections enabled with SpyBot, and the HOSTS file is MS initial Hosts file, with just the standard IP address in it, 127.0.0.1.

But thanks for the reply

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Other than an explanation, no further help.
Jul 4, 2005 9:55PM PDT

1. Hypothetically, you'll find that the S&D Immunization feature entries in the system registry equals approximately 44 lines of addresses and at least that many values. Please note in addition should you decide to un-immunize these addresses, the values are not removed only nulled which isn't a problem -- just stating the fact.

2. Considering SpywareBlaster's feature for Internet Explorer protection . . . and the Restricted Sites protection is . . ., it adds approximately 1,400 addresses and probably that many or double in value lines.

3. If concerned and specifically desire to see an example in your computer's registry, -- I'm only pretty sure it will be there provided the above features have been enabled and you can step further through the Domains or History or ActiveX Compatibility address(s) on your system to see more. To review the captured information in text file format for the two subjects, use the hyperlinks:

a. "S&D" (The approach for this software instead of detecting or removing targets, it inoculates a computer from executing certain software, stops you from downloading some types of parasite, and stops other things from working)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains\008i.com

b. "SpywareBlaster"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\P3P\History\ad08.focalink.com

Note: "Registry fixes" which you may find useful at the S&D site are:

Spybot-S&D Wizard disable
Spybot-S&D SDHelper uninstall
Spybot-S&D system start run entry (uninstall)
Spybot-S&D full settings removal
Context menu for DLL files (install)
Context menu for DLL files (uninstall)
Internet Explorer Settings lock (install)
Internet Explorer Settings lock (uninstall)

4. Also, you'll find folders Logs and Recovery which are created under in the Windows\Application Data\Spybot - Search & Destroy which may become excessive and need manual deleting on occasion.

5. Further, I do not know what the circumstances are IF/when using Norton but I assume from the information published that prevent HTML strings and/or specified pop-up or pop-under ad windows items, they are most likely written to the system registry also which may compound situations, "Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall."

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Cursorcowboy,
Jul 5, 2005 9:04AM PDT

Wow, a great deal of data to check out. I looked at the logs of S&D, and no registry changes were involved. I also checked on the registry keys that you mentioned, and they were non-existent on my system, except for this one, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000.
I ran some of the S&D's patches (very leary, but did it anyway.

I do not run any Norton software (I should have mentioned that).

I also do not have SpywareBlaster, nor have ever had it on my system.

I haven't re-booted since I did all of this, so perhaps after I re-boot it will work, but right now it does not.

Cursorcowboy, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your help, and the amount of effort you have put into this problem of mine. I will for sure report to this thread if I ever resolve this.

Thank you

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Well, something worked, and something didn't
Jul 6, 2005 3:11AM PDT

This morning I had no internet connection, although the modem and router indicated everything was fine. Wife's computer had a connection and access to internet.

Anyway, I restored by backup and all was well.

Cursorcowboy, again thanks for all the help.

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(NT) (NT) "Great" to hear. Thanks.
Jul 6, 2005 9:35PM PDT
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I'm have somewhat of the same problem
Jul 8, 2005 12:36PM PDT

I'm using XP Home with IE and some of the website's I try to go to come up with that page that basically says "it isn?t here" check your setting etc. It's really screwed up my visits to some of my friendly websites, any ideas?
One of the sites I can't get to is www.tmpa.org.
My ISP is eastex.net

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(NT) (NT) Follow the suggestions already posted -- report your results
Jul 8, 2005 10:10PM PDT
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depjim, I have no problem accessing tmpa.org
Jul 8, 2005 10:31PM PDT

And unfortunately I cannot help you....hmmmm, can't help myself.

Quite literally, the only sites I have any problems with are the ones mentioned at the beginning of this thread.

Not sure when this all started for me, it could have started when I installed Maxthon as my default browser, but not sure.

I'd be interested if there are any other people that had problems with those URL's???

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"Explain" == links do not work for me
Jul 3, 2005 9:42PM PDT
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Cursorcowboy, thanks, but no worky
Jul 4, 2005 8:42AM PDT

I read through all that material you posted, and acted on most of them, but not until I backed up my entire system, just in case. Anyway, nothing worked, including the IEFIX. Some of the items put my system and IE back to previous updates, for instance, IE went from 6.0 to 5.0......weird. Actually, I believe it was the IEfix program that did it, no big thing, though.

I didn't mention it, because I thought it was immaterial, but I run Win2k Pro.

Anyway, many thanks for the help.....good exercise.