# Computer problems: help yer friendly moderator out! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205 "2003-06-29T19:41:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/1 "2003-06-29T19:41:27Z")
All right, I have a few issues going on as of late, and I can’t help but think they’re related. 1. My browser (IE 6, running under Win XP Professional Edition) won’t go to secure sites (https) anymore. This is inconvenient for Internet shopping, banking, what have you. I’ve checked the “Internet Options” security tab, and all seems to be normal. The MS website is, as usual, utterly hopeless. Or maybe I’m stupid, that’s possible too. 2. For a few weeks now, my MSN Messenger thingamajig hasn’t been able to connect. Password is right, it just won’t connect. 3. After installing the latest ICQ, it crashes after it launches. 4. My Yahoo Messenger (the most important of all, as far as I’m concerned) stopped logging in after I downloaded some security update a couple of days ago. I tried re-installing all the last three programs, without results. It SEEMS to be some sort of connectivity problem, but everything else runs just spiffy. Download speed is fine, the ADSL connection remains stable for days and days, e-mail works just as it’s supposed to. I haven’t changed any software lately, other than installing Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, but I doubt that’s relevant. I’ve spent the last 45 minutes browsing MS’s knowledge database, to no avail. I need some pointers here - what could possibly be wrong? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Ryle\_Dup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ryle\_Dup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryle_Dup)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/2 "2003-06-29T19:54:59Z")
1. Download a different browser, try the Opera, this will tell you if its more than just an IE 6 problem. 2. - 1. - 1. Download Trillian, its a multi-messanger program that will connect to all of these programs, this will tell you if the programs are f’d, or if its your computer. [http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/trillian/download.html](http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/trillian/download.html) > **[Opera Web Browser | Faster, Safer, Smarter | Opera](https://www.opera.com/)** > > Get a faster, better browser. Opera's free VPN, Ad Blocker, integrated messengers and private mode help you browse securely and smoothly. Share files instantly between your desktop and mobile browsers and experience web 3.0 with a free cryptowallet. ---
**Author:** ![Ryle\_Dup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ryle\_Dup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryle_Dup)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/3 "2003-06-29T19:56:08Z")
After rereading that, I had an idea. Are you running any firewalls? I know that firewalls have messed up some of my programs before, so look around in your network options and check if any are running. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/4 "2003-06-29T20:03:39Z")
Good question! I am running Tiny Personal Firewall, which is very interactive. Asks comfirmation when a new version of a program is installed, never allows anything to just connect. But it ALWAYS asks. I also run Norton AntiVirus 2003, but for some reason the “Internet Security” part of it hasn’t been running properly as of late either. Hmmm… maybe we’re onto something here? A firewall that doesn’t work properly anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/5 "2003-06-29T20:05:33Z")
I’m downloading Opera right now, BTW, just to see if this is an IE thing. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/6 "2003-06-29T20:08:18Z")
I had gruntloads of problems like that when I used IE, especially with Yahoo Messenger not connecting properly or crashing repeatedly once I managed to get connected. They magically corrected themselves (mostly) when I switched to Mozilla. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/7 "2003-06-29T20:08:41Z")
Go to the **Advanced** tab of Internet Options and make sure that **Use SSL 2.0** and **Use SSL 3.0** are both checked. Also go to the **Connections** tab, hit **LAN Settings** , and make sure that none of the boxes are checked. Have you applied IE6SP1 and all Critical Updates? It would probably be a good idea to uninstall Norton and see if the problems persist. If all else fails you can run the System File Checker (type **sfc /scannow** at a command line). You may be prompted to put in your XP CD. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/8 "2003-06-29T20:17:36Z")
All the settings were correct, Number, and I think I have all the critical updates. The SFC is running right now, so maybe that’ll tell us more. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/9 "2003-06-29T21:05:47Z")
Hey Coldie, try turning off the firewall for a second and see if that fixes your problem. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/10 "2003-06-29T21:12:15Z")
Nope, even with all firewalls off, IE doesn’t connect to secure sites. To make matters worse, I installed Opera, and can’t get the damn thing to connect. I’m gonna try a reboot, and a friggin’ beer. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/11 "2003-06-29T21:18:58Z")
I had a similar problem, and the only thing I could do was use XP’s Restore feature and go back a week or so. I lost a few settings and had to reinstall some programs, but it worked. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/12 "2003-06-29T21:36:26Z")
I have this problem from my laptop - I’ve managed to work around it by using Netscape when I have to deal with a secured site. The laptop uses XP. I have no problems using the desktop, running ME. Same version of IE AFAIK. Also from the laptop I cannot log into msn messenger at all. Desktop? No problems. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/13 "2003-06-29T21:39:22Z")
Exactly what happens when you try and access a secure site? What error message is displayed? Have you been tinkering with your **services** file (usually in c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc)? It should have two lines as below: https 443/tcp MCom https 443/udp MCom ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/14 "2003-06-29T21:54:47Z")
Restore feature… I’d LIKE to avoid it, if at all possible. Sounds too much like “re-install” to me, and I don’t want to hear that word from ANY of you! 🙂 I tried downloading both Mozilla and Netscape: both use a download program that for some reason won’t connect to collect the files. Is this one of Bill Gates evil schemes again? Do I need to fill out ALL the proxy servers (which my ISP doesn’t show on their website, nuh-uh, you need to call an expensive helpdesk to get them)? qts, I located a “services” file, but it didn’t look anything like that. It is in the system32 directory, and doesn’t display lines like that at first glance. I’m getting nowhere, or so it seems. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/15 "2003-06-29T22:07:52Z")
No, Restore is MUCH less intensive than a reinstall. It literally returns your system to the exact state it was in at the time the restore point was generated, and you don’t even need the CD – all the info is stored right on your local hard drive. A typical restore on a typical system takes about 10 minutes to complete. ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/16 "2003-06-29T22:08:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Restore feature… I’d LIKE to avoid it, if at all possible. Sounds too much like “re-install” to me, and I don’t want to hear that word from ANY of you! It’s not as scary as you think, and not a “re-install” either, **Coldfire**. It’s simply a calendar that you use to go back in time, before this started happening. Most useful, if it just started happening a little while ago. Daizy ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/17 "2003-06-29T22:09:08Z")
Well, you could just re-install…oh, right. Sorry, Coldie, wish I could think of something else to suggest. If I could get our cable connection to work with my ancient Macintosh, I swear I’d go back to it. Stuff like this never used to happen on my Mac, but does regularly on Windows. Uh oh, maybe I’d better duck and run.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/18 "2003-06-29T22:12:57Z")
Well, thing is, I wasn’t too fond of MS operating systems until I got XP. It blew me away, it was that good. In all honesty, this is the first real issue I’ve encountered in nearly 2 years. Pretty good score, right? OK, the restore feature. How does one go about this? I see the “System Restore” tab in “System”, but all it lets me do is change settings. How do I “roll back” to, say, a month ago? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/19 "2003-06-29T22:16:41Z")
Never mind, found it. Hmmm, seems the farthest I can go back is June 22, it won’t let me scroll back a month… should I do it? You guys sure this is OK? Will I be able to roll forward again? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205/20 "2003-06-29T22:16:51Z")
Start Menu \> Programs \> Accessories \> System Tools \> System Restore. Cick the “Restore my computer to an earlier time” radio button, then click Next. Navigate through the calendar to find a restore point you wish to use - dates in **bold** have a restore point stored for them - click on it, then click Next again. The rest is self-explanatory. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problems-help-yer-friendly-moderator-out/185205.md?page=2)