Can't connect to a couple of websites

[ConBas]

For the last 4-5 days I can't connect to the Anandtech.com website nor the Widescreengamingforum.com website. The connections time out. Now it could be that these websites are experiencing problems but in my limited experience it's rare that these problems last so long. Also, it's not just one website but two and they became unconnectable at the same time.

Recently I needed to install a new network card that could be the culprit, though it seems strange to me that it works fine in every other way but not for these websites.

I'm not sure what I want to ask but it just seems a bit strange to me. I get the feeling something is wrong on my end though I don't have a clue as to what that would be. Any thought/suggestions?

[PrntRhd]

I can get to both sites right now, so the sites themselves are ok.
It could be an issue with the traceroute (a bad node in the chain to the site).
It could be a client issue where a site has been blocked by firewalls or host files.

[ConBas]

Thanks for the reply PrntRhd.

Can you suggest a freeware traceroute program I could use? Performing a traceroute is the first thing I would like to try.

I use ZoneAlarm for my firewall so I don't think it's the culprit. I haven't changed any settings lately either.

I"m not all that familiar with host files though it rings a bell somewhere. These host files can specify which IP ranges/web adresses you can/can't connect to? I'd like to take a look at them after doing a traceroute. I'm running XP Pro SP2. Can you let me know where to find them so I can take a look at them?

[Ajmukon]

i think you can use DOS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traceroute

EDIT- yep- you can use DOS
10 nodes to the PCguide!

[Whyzman]

Have you tried getting to these site using different browsers??

[ConBas]

Thanks Whyzman,

I'll take a look at the Wiki page when I next wake up.

And no, I hadn't tried using a different browser. But I have now. I have been using the latest Firefox but gave IE (6.0) a try as well and it wouldn't connect either.

[ConBas]

Well, I downloaded a traceroute program and performed traceroutes to the websites. The traceroutes were fine so I tried connecting to them with Firefox. No problems :confused:.

Oh well, seems the problem resolved itself. Thanks for the help all.

[Whyzman]

No problems :confused:. Oh well, seems the problem resolved itself. In situations such as this, it is important to always remember...It is a computer...and yet, that endemic drive towards autonomy and "doing one's own thing" appears to be ever present even in the machine world... :)