Problems viewing web pages

[Rick Ritter]

My PC: Compaq Presario, 266, 6 gig, 160 RAM.

I'm having a terrible time with my browser (MIE 5.50). I can only view a few pages and then I begin to get "Page cannot be displayed" (the one that says errors. Sometimes I can disconnect, re-connect and surf for awhile and it starts again. Sometimes I actually have to re-boot.

It starts with only partial page loads (gifs etc. appear as a red X). The more pages I try to view, the worse it gets until the following message comes up (this is happening more and more frequently now - like whenever I'm on for more than 10 minutes). Eventually, I get the following error no matter what page I'm trying to view (refresh does not work):

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The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.

Please try the following:

Click the Refresh button, or try again later.

If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.

To check your connection settings, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Connections tab, click Settings. The settings should match those provided by your local area network (LAN) administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).
If your Network Administrator has enabled it, Microsoft Windows can examine your network and automatically discover network connection settings.
If you would like Windows to try and discover them,
click Detect Network Settings.
Some sites require 128-bit connection security. Click the Help menu and then click About Internet Explorer to determine what strength security you have installed.
If you are trying to reach a secure site, make sure your Security settings can support it. Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section and check settings for SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, PCT 1.0.
Click the back button to try another link.

Cannot find server or DNS Error
Internet Explorer

[mjc]

It sounds like you may need to clear out the browser cache and the history folders. To do this go to Tools menu and then Internet Options. On the general page click delete for Temp Internet Files and Clear for history. Under settings you can change the size or days kept. Under advanced you can turn on the clear on exit feature.


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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[Rick Ritter]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have tried most of what you suggested (except for checking off the item to delete when closing browser).

It still doesn't work. In fact, I had a tough time getting to this site.

Any other suggestions? Do you think it could be the modem? Could it be a game my son loaded that messed with the settings? (I've deleted the game).

I'm going crazy now!

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated.

Also, several sites come up with an error stating my activeX security won't allow viewing or something like that. I've matched all of those settings to my PC at work and still have problems.

[mjc]

Well yes, the game could have reconfigured the settings and either by not completely uninstalling or by not replacing the changed files left you with a "broken" IE 5.5. You can try Add/Remove programs, scroll down to Microsoft IE 5.50 and internet tools, highlight it and click on add/remove and then select the repair option. Unless you have the whole download on your hard drive you need to be connected online for it to work (or the setup disk for IE 5.50)

And many games that can be played online need to be uninstalled by either their own uninstall icon (usually)or Add/Remove(maybe) in order to have them replace the files they changed when installing them. Sometimes, though, the game or program just refuses to leave no matter what you do!

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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[Rick Ritter]

Well, my problem is getting worse. I can't surf for longer than a few minutes before the page errors begin. I've tried everything -- uninstalling and re-installing MIE5, etc.

I have a program that logs all keystrokes & activity. Upon boot, the program logs: "Virus Found" but does not identify it. When I go to my PC-cillin 2000, nothing shows up. A checkup at Symantec DID find dialer.trojan. I deleted the file but my logging program continues to log "virus found" when booting.

Another thing, the logging program records changes in settings during booting including changing my incoming mail server from POP3 to "localhost". My firewall, just installed, is recording several intruder attempts.

Any ideas? I'm really getting frazzled. What does dialer.trojan do? I can't seem to come up with much of a description at Symantec or Trendmicro.

Rick Ritter

[mjc]

Usually I dont't think installing more software while you are having major problems is a good idea but I think that maybe if you try AdAware (http://www.lavasoft.de) that it may help, if it is an actual virus, maybe not but if there is an ad-based "spyware-adware" program that is trying to reach its home servers it sholud help.

Which Windows 98 or ME?

Which firewall, ZA?

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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[Rick Ritter]

MJC - I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help. I got a few tips from microsoft that helped a little but your suggestions were MOST helpful -- especially your suggestion to use AdAware. My system is back to about 98% normal, mostly thanks to you. I CAN SURF AGAIN!

I'm still dealing with that pesky little bug (?) that changes my Outlook Express Incoming Mail server from POP3 to "localhost" every time I boot up.

Other than that I'm back in business, again, thank you!