False 404 errors blocking websites

[bilojax]

I'm getting 404 messages (url does not exist) for valid sites that other people can call up. For example, this address

http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/agent2/tv_enua.exe

is for a TTS engine download that I need, and other people have told me they can connect to it. When I try, however, I get the 404 error page.

I actualy have XP home edition, but I posted here because there is not a forum for home.

I have McAfee anti-virus and firewall running, but I disabled the firewall under direction of a McAfee chat session and still could not connect to the above address.

On the control panel, the windows firewall is set to "Off".

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[linney]

That site offers me a blank page in IE and a download box for your file.

Have you tried cleaning out your Temporary Internet Files etc? As well as that, see what this site mentions in relation to corrupt Index.dat files.

Safely Delete the Temporary Internet Files

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm

Does adding the site as a Trusted Site make any difference. What about turning off "Protected Mode" in IE if you have that browser.

Testing from "Safe Mode with Networking" might be worth a try too?

Does McAfee have any option to "trust" or allow that site URL? Sometimes disabling a third party firewall is not sufficient as many of the settings remain active within Windows. The only real test to eliminate a third party firewall is to uninstall, test, then reinstall.

 

[goombawaho]

I get a blank page and than a DOWNLOAD file dialog box in Firefox, so it is a working site.

As Linney said, followed by a Malware scan if that doesn't help you. With this program:

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

 

[bilojax]

Still having same trouble. Yes I'm using IE, version 8.

I thought the suggestion about adding trusted site was one of those simple but brilliant things, but surprisingly it didn't work. The message changed, but it won't connect. The mesage nowsays "IE cannot dispay the webpage".

I also tried loosening the IE security settings. Default level is "medium-high", which I lowered to "medium" (lowest option available). Then I went through the list of advanced items and enabled everything having to do with activex scripts (such as rununsigned scripts, etc.). Then I tried opening the site, both with McAfee's firewall on and off, and got 404's in every case.

And yes, I did the clean out temp files thing.

I haven't yet done some of the other things suggested. They don't seem very likely so it's hard to get motivated to spend the time, but then I really don't know what's likely so I'll eventually try them if there are no other suggestions. However, I may not have made clear, this is on a brand new computer, first time loading it, and the rejected site was one of the first I visited after loading the anti-virus stuff from the mcafee site. So there hasn't been a lot of time for malware or viruses to creep into my system.

Any other suggestions?

 

[smah]

Can you connect to any MS or security company website? As the others have mentioned, the file is there. So the only other possible reason that you're getting a 404 (not found) is that your browser is being redirected from where you think that it is. And again to reiterate what has already been said, the most likely reason for an unexpected redirection is an existing malware infection.

What happens when you open a command prompt and run a tracert activex.microsoft.com

 

[bilojax]

What happens when you open a command prompt and run a tracert activex.microsoft.com"

I don't now what that is, but it runs, says it's tracing routes to an address beginning with activex,then starts listing numbered items beginning with "launchmodem", which I happen to know is the program that starts my DSL connection. After listing details for 22 items, it gives 5-6 more lines with only astericks and the message "request timed out", then it terminates and closes its own window.

Does that establish anything useful to us?

 

[linney]

For what it is worth I am now also getting 404 errors on that site after originally opening the link and being offered the download when I first tested your link a couple of days ago.

Maybe that URL is just a bit dodgy and there is nothing wrong with your setup?

Can you get your download via this link?

http://waves.galim.org.il/pd/tv_enua.exe

Peedy - Advanced Installation

http://waves.galim.org.il/pdsys.html

Maybe "Peedy" the friendly Parrot can sort your troubles out more than we can?

 

[bilojax]

Yes, that dowload link works. Also, I was able to download that file and other needed TTS files from another host that I found. My TTS programs work correctly now and so the immediate need is gone, but I'm still a bit suspicious. It seems like I'm getting a lot more 404s than I used to. If ya'll don't mind, I think I will watch closely and keep good notes, and maybe post a few links for people to check, if I keep having this problem.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sympology]

One thing worth trying is trying different DNS entries, it maybe your ISP is having problems.

Try using OPenDNS'

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[linney]

Similar type (404 error) post here.

I can't speak for you guys in Microsoft Agent

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...b73-b298-517874427414&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=&p=1