I am rapidly approaching my wits’ end with this problem with IE. For the past few days almost every time I try to load a web page, I get the Cannot find server error message. If I hit refresh enough times, it will eventually come up, at least for most pages. I guess what I’m finding most frustrating is I can’t access my Yahoo email account at all. Even more mystifying is that sometimes I can see a page come up about 90% loaded, then it goes to the cannot find server message. My ISP insists that the problem is at my end. I did have to remove a whole bunch of spyware from my computer shortly before this problem started (I hadn’t used a particular filesharing program for eons, tried to get on the network, it told me I needed an update and couldn’t connect with the version I had, I stupidly downloaded the update), but both Adaware and virus scans are currently coming up clean. I suppose it is possible I got a bit overzealous in my attempts to remove the infestation and deleted something I need by accident.
I’m running Windows 98 and IE 5.5. Any suggestions as to where this problem came from and how to fix it would be greatly appreciated.
Run Spybot too - I’ve heard reports that Spybot finds some Adware that Ad-Aware misses, and vice-versa.
When you are having problems, can you ‘ping’ the websites you’re having trouble with? E.g. go to command prompt and enter: ping yahoo.com If you can ping, it’s something to do with your browser set-up; if you can’t, it’s a connectivity problem (either at your end or your ISPs).
One remedy that sometimes works is to go to command prompt and flush the DNS cache - type: ipconfig /flushdns
Are you accessing your ISP over dial-up, DSL, cable or something else? In some cases you can fix things by refreshing your DHCP lease (getting a new IP address). To do this, again go to command prompt and enter these commands:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
Make sure also to try cleaning out your browser cache (“delete offlines files” in IE-speak.)
I hesitate to suggest this, simply because the download is ungodly huge, but it might be worthwhile simply to install IE 6. There’s at least a fair chance that it would cure your problems.
I believe if you go to the Windows Update site, it will include IE 6 in the list of recommended updates.
DarrenS - I’m on cable and I can ping all of the websites I’m having problems with. I’ve tried all of your suggestions (except for Spybot, I can’t connect to download it!) but nothing’s helping.
Early Out - I’ve already tried that. It didn’t help. Then I called my ISP and the technical support guy practically called me an idiot, said that IE 6.0 was the problem because my computer’s too old to handle it and going back to 5.5 would fix everything. Given that the problem started before I upgraded I was skeptical to say the least, but I decided to humour him. Seeing as I’m asking for help here, you can guess the outcome of that advice.
What version of windows do you have? IE 6.0 isn’t the most stable for Windows 98, but you also can’t go back. Microsoft has removed all support to everything for Windows 98. Your tech support guy should know this.
I agree that the problem is likely spyware. Get that thing downloaded.
To the OP:
I don’t know if you have it available, but do you have another browser you can try (netscape/mozilla or opera?). If not, then you have to try to narrow the issue down to a system issue or an ISP issue. Do you have a friend that has a laptop (or a really good friend with another desktop that can be lugged over temporarily ?)? If so, hook it up and try to surf. If this new system is having the same issues, then it is definitely an ISP problem, refer to them and don’t stop until you get someone at their tech support with a clue; however, if you can surf just fine with the other computer, then the problem is a system one. At that point, what I would do is a complete rebuild of your network stack. I won’t write a long treatise at this time but the basics steps to rebuilding the stack would be:
Remove any and all firewall/VPN/cybersitter-type software. I mean this - do a complete uninstall of any of those types of programs.
If you are on DSL or have some other special program required by your ISP to connect, uninstall it.
Right-click on Network Neighborhood, left click on properties. In the white box at the top that lists all your networking components, highlight each one and hit “remove” (just to be clean about it, I start from the bottom and work my way up. I know it’s quicker to just remove the network adapters, but I do it this way to make sure I know everything is gone). If it asks you to restart the system, say “no” until you’re done removing everything.
Uninstall your modem(or network card if you’re on a broadband connection) from Device Manager. Reboot.
During the reboot your system should redect the hardware and re-install the drivers (have the driver disk handy in case you’re asked for it).
Go back into Network Neighborhood and make sure “Client for Microsoft Networks” an “TCP/IP” are installed along with your modem/network card. Install them if not present. Remove any occurrences of IPX/SPX that might appear.
Reinstall your ISP connection software, if any.
Test connection. If the issues persist, you may just have to bite the bullet and to a format/reload of your system. If the connection is OK, re-install any of the software mentioned in Step 1.
Test connection again. If issues persist at this point, then it’s one of the pieces of software that was just installed, and you would need to get with the software vendor to resolve the issue.
I know there may be a lot there - if you need any further explanation, let us know!.
Now that I’ve answered the OP, one other matter that needs to be addressed…
ZuG,
Welcome to the boards!
That said, I’d like to give you some friendly advice: one thing you will find is that on this board, you need to check your facts before posting - anything and everything you assert, especially in the GQ forum can be (and usually is ) questioned. If you can’t provide a cite, don’t mention it. Don’t worry - I think all of us on this board have gotten burned in GQ at one time or another :).
So, just to make it clear to those playing the home game, Micrsoft has NOT removed “all support to everything for Windows 98”. They will eventually, but not for a little while yet.
Please check their “Windows Desktop Product Lifecycle” published here.
Basically what it says is that Microsoft will still support Win98, you just have to pay for it, per footnote 6 on that page.
It also shows that “all support” will be removed in 2005, so there’s about 16 more months left before Windows 98 ceases to completely exist as far as Microsoft is concerned.
Oh, ZuG - I guess I should give you the other piece of advice on this board - always hit “preview” BEFORE “submit”, or you will wind up doing what I just did - namely answering the OP two hours after he already answered his own question!!
Toldya we all get burned at one time or another in this topic :). I just gave a practical demonstration of “Going down in flames” for you…
?)? If so, hook it up and try to surf. If this new system is having the same issues, then it is definitely an ISP problem, refer to them and don’t stop until you get someone at their tech support with a clue; however, if you can surf just fine with the other computer, then the problem is a system one. At that point, what I would do is a complete rebuild of your network stack. I won’t write a long treatise at this time but the basics steps to rebuilding the stack would be: