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General discussion

No matter what I try, IE 6.0 won't let me go to google.com

by theflyingdutchman Jun 28, 2007 1:35PM PDT

No matter what I try, IE 6.0 won't let me go to google.com, I get the famous "Page cannot be displayed" screen.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Need more info....
by caktus Jun 28, 2007 4:08PM PDT

What OS are you using?

Perform the following procedures, if you have not done so already:

Scan for and remove any of the following:

viruses, spy/adware.

Remove temp files,etc.

e.g. If Windows XP, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup > OK. Under "Files to delete" place a check mark beside each item except "Compress old files" and "Catalogue files for content indexer." Click OK > Yes.

Then go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options. On the General tab under Temporary Internet Files click on Delete files > OK. Under History click on Clear History > OK. Also, while in Internet Options go to the Security tab and click on Default > Apply OK.

Restart the computer.

If you are still getting "The page cannot be displayed" download, install and run WinSock XP Fix 1.2. Before running this program I suggest first creating a System Restore point in the event that you are not entirely happy with the results, as you [may] find that some browser addons may need to be reinstalled.

Restart the computer and see if you are still getting "The page cannot be displayed.

Hope something here is helpful.

Charlie

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What OS are you using?
by theflyingdutchman Jun 29, 2007 1:04AM PDT

MS Windows XP Pro...Thanks for the info...did most of the things you are suggesting via advice from MS Knowledge base. Will do the rest soon. Thanks for your quick response.
William van Erp

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Unmentioned but necessary to check is ...
by Edward ODaniel Jun 29, 2007 3:48AM PDT

whether somehow someone or something has set you up with a HOSTS file that blocks google. A block from the HOSTS file will give you the "Page cannot be found" error you mention.

Look in your windows\system32\drivers\etc directory (folder) and see if you can find a file named HOSTS (without any file extension). If you do open it in Notepad and see if you can locate a line that looks like:

127.0.0.1 www.google.com

or

0.0.0.0. www.google.com

If so delete the line or change the IP address to 216.239.51.104

You can also simply perform a Windows search for the file then edit it if necessary.

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Thanks Edward O'Daniel
by theflyingdutchman Jun 29, 2007 6:15AM PDT

Thanks Edward O'Daniel, folowing your advice I deleted all "host" file entries with google in the name and IT WORKED!!!
THANKS to all who tried to help me.
William van Erp

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Good, now the question is ...
by Edward ODaniel Jun 30, 2007 3:04AM PDT

where your HOSTS file came from because very few legitimate HOSTS files block google.

Look through your HOSTS file again and see if there are other good sites that are blocked for some reason - pay special attention to seeing if any AV sites (grisoft.com, panda.com, trendmicro.com, etc.) are blocked as this is how some malware functions to "protect" itself.

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