Problem Web Site

rovert · 08-04-2005, 11:06

For no apparent reason I am suddenly unable to connect to eBay via Internet Explorer 5.5. All other sites appear to work normally. I have specified a proxy server ''hudd-cache-7.server.ntli.net' as I can't use Yahoo Mail when using the automatic option. Even if I return to that method it makes no difference on eBay. I do also have Mozilla Firefox and can access eBay normally via this route. It is just a puzzle why this one site had suddenly stopped working with IE5.5.

It has been suggested that I ping the connection but I am not sure exactly how to do this. I gather that in Windows ME you click Start then Run, type "Command" then OK. This brings up a MS-DOS prompt box but what next?

As always any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bifta · 08-04-2005, 11:07

Ping www.ebay.co.uk but if you can access it with firefox there's no point pinging it.

rovert · 08-04-2005, 11:14

Thanks Bifta but it is the ping procedure I am not sure on. The MS-DOS prompt says
C:\WINDOWS\Desktop>
Typing www.ebay.co.uk after this and pressing Enter results in the message "Bad Command or file name"

Bifta · 08-04-2005, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovert

Thanks Bifta but it is the ping procedure I am not sure on. The MS-DOS prompt says
C:\WINDOWS\Desktop>
Typing www.ebay.co.uk after this and pressing Enter results in the message "Bad Command or file name"

no .. type

ping www.ebay.co.uk

like I said though, that won't show you anything as you are able to access the site in another browser. Try changing the transparent cache in IE.

ian@huth · 08-04-2005, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovert

Thanks Bifta but it is the ping procedure I am not sure on. The MS-DOS prompt says
C:\WINDOWS\Desktop>
Typing www.ebay.co.uk after this and pressing Enter results in the message "Bad Command or file name"

Type ping and then a space before entering the url you want to ping. Note though that not all sites respond to pings.

rovert · 08-04-2005, 13:59

Thanks for the advice, at least I now know how to ping! I decided to try it anyway in spite of ability to connect with Firefox but request timed out 4 times before reporting ping statistics of 100% loss.

I have tried changing to different proxy servers but this has not helped. Looks like I'll have to use Firefox for eBay or try upgrading to IE6.

Bifta · 08-04-2005, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovert

Thanks for the advice, at least I now know how to ping! I decided to try it anyway in spite of ability to connect with Firefox but request timed out 4 times before reporting ping statistics of 100% loss.

I have tried changing to different proxy servers but this has not helped. Looks like I'll have to use Firefox for eBay or try upgrading to IE6.

Ebay probably have ICMP turned off on their firewall, I don't get a reply either.

altis · 08-04-2005, 14:19

ebay.co.uk works fine for me in IE5.5 - perhaps its something in the configuration you've changed.

simbr · 08-04-2005, 16:46

Is the whole ebay site unavailable or just parts of it?
What error message do you receive?
Have you tried clearing your cache?

rovert · 08-04-2005, 20:18

Cannot even bring up eBay home page. Status bar indicates that it is opening page but blue bar only travels about half way before hanging. As a result there is no error message although status bar sometimes changes to "done" but visible web page remains at that previously viewed.

Cache has been cleared.

simbr · 09-04-2005, 14:45

Well, it's definately not the hudd proxies as they all seem to reach ebay ok, but then if it's working in firefox it does suggest a problem with IE anyway.
Have you run any anti-spwyare programs lately?
As a rough check you could try temporarily disabling browser extension:
Click "Tools" then "Internet Options"
Go the the "Advanced" tab.
Untick "Enable third-party browser extensions"
Click OK, then close all browser instances
Try the site again.
(remember to retick the box otherwise you may lose some functionality)

Another thing you can try is a repair of IE, as I assume since you're still on 5.5 that you have Win9x/ME:
Click "Start", then "Settings" then "Control Panel"
Double click "Add/Remove Programs"
Scroll down the list to "Microsot Internet Explorer 5.5 and Internet Tools"
Click the remove button then select the option "Repair Internet Explorer"
Of course, upgrading to IE6 wouldn't hurt either.

rovert · 09-04-2005, 22:08

Thanks for your suggestions, simbr. I have Adaware SE Personal and Spybot and both have only revealed tracking cookies which I have deleted. When running a Norton virus scan a week ago a non viral infection was reported, Adware.cdt, apparently spyware originating from Mediatickets.com, whoever they might be. I got rid of this and have had clear scans since.

In your first reply you asked if I had cleared the cache. When I said yes I was referring to the deletion of temporary internet files including those offline. I now realise cookies remain in temporary internet files even after this deletion. Are these part of the cache? There does not seem to be a delete cookies option in IE5.5, does this mean they have to be deleted individually?

There doesn't appear to be an option to "Enable third-party browser extensions" in IE5.5. Think I will try either the ie repair or upgrade to IE6 tomorrow. Will let you know the outcome.

simbr · 09-04-2005, 23:24

THe delete cookies button was added in Internet Explorer 6 (it looks like the option to disable third party extensions was as well, sorry) but temporary internet files are more likely to cause a problem than cookies.
The other things you can reset from within internet explorer are the advanced settings (use restore default button) and resetting to internet zone to default on the security tab, but these things shouldn't affect individual sites only.

rovert · 10-04-2005, 17:04

Success!!

Tried the repair to IE5.5 but was still unable to connect to eBay.

After upgrading to IE6 can now view all sections of the Ebay web site.

Thanks again to everyone but especially simbr.

Matth · 11-04-2005, 22:16

Not them as well.. ebuyer used to work properly on 5.5, but then it didn't - Firefox and IE6 OK, and it actually failed gracefully in offbyone, recognizing the lack of any advanced technology and falling back in an untidy but useable manner.