The dreaded "The page cannot be displyed" error.

[capt74]

About 6 days ago, I noticed that I was beginning to get a lot of "page can not be displayed" screens (Cannot find server or DNS Error - Internet Explorer'). In order to get to a page that can not be displayed, I have to click on the Internet Explorer "Go" button 3-4 times. It is getting very tiresome. Even trying to get to your tek-tips URL, I had to click "Go" 4 times, before I got to the URL. I also can not get to a URL that is a link on a page, unless I type it into the Address line and click the "Go" button repeatedly.
I'm running XP2 Professional-service pack 2. Cable modem (Motorola) from RoadRunner and WIFI (Netgear). I have Norton’s Anti virus and Zone Alarm. I've tried running without Zone Alarm but get the same problem (note-I am also getting problems starting OutLook Express sometimes (server can not be found) - yet if I ping the server, it shows up as being there. I have recycled my modem and WIFI router a few times, but it does not help.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
_Mike

 

[micker377]

You turned off the ZoneAlarm, did you turn off the Windows XP firewall?

 

[capt74]

Yes. I have Zone Alarm off now and Windows XP firewall off also. Same results. It seems odd that I have to click the Go button 3-4 times. Could it be that something is out of sych, in that it almost seems like the PC needs a few tries before it gets to the URL. Why can't it just go there to begin with?

_Mike

 

[bcastner]

It makes me very uncomfortable hearing you have not firewall at all enabled.

Your issue sounds like a dirty temporary internet file cache.

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

 

[bcastner]

Also, check your RWIN and MTU values.

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

 

[linney]

Use Disk Cleanup to clean out your temp files and Temporary Internet files. Manually clear out the temp files from your User profile folder too.

XP SP2 has its own Winsock fixer built in:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/winsock.htm

Frequently Asked Questions About Page Cannot Be Displayed Errors in Internet Explorer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/IE/ie5/topics/PCBD.asp&SD=HSCH&FR=1

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

 

[TIGREBLANCO]

I remember that problem on a client's computer (I really hope this is not your case). I had to clean it from adware, spyware and then (what really solve the issue you are talking about) had to rebuild the winsocks suite (winsock2 Which is actually not hard, but keep reading.).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811259.

Or ask a friend to do a search on "rebuild winsocks" for you.

Use (at least!!) two antispy products while in safe mode (I use spybot and spysweeper both free and very good).

(Sighs)That said, I didn't quite like the final result cause even when the issue at hand was resolved and we could surf normally again, I had to spend l o n g hours tuning/reinstalling the "good" applications that my client had, the thing would never end, there was always something that would not work as it did before (cause adware spyware really screws your pc's files and registry), too much time and effort and most of the times is not worth it.
Therefore, my advise is: Do a clean install of windows or go back to a good previous image of your system (if you have one) and save yourself time and aggraviation, unless of course, reinstalling means heressy to you and you are willing to spend probably hours getting the system back to a fully operational status.
Like I said, I hope this is not your situation, but if it is I hope this helps or at least points you to the right direction.
Good luck.

 

[capt74]

To bcastner: I only turned off the firewalls long enough to see if the problem would resolve itself, then turned Zone Alarm back on ASAP.

I cleaned up the temporary internet files (it took awhile), but still have the same problem. I can get to the URLs (eventually) but it is tiresome to have to click on the Go button so many times.

I read the link on RWIN and MTU values, but I am not savy enough to determine fromm the link, how to find my MTU & RWIN values.

To linney:
I do not believe that I have a WINSCOK problem. I performed some of the checks as outlined in the links you supplied, and I do not seem to have a corrupted winsock.

To TIGREBLANCO:
I sure hope I do not have the same problem you described for that client. Sounds serious. I am able to get to URL's, but not directly on the first try. (not all URLs give me the problem. (I also sometmes get a message that I have no connection when i start Outlook Express, and sometimes not. And again sometimes when I try to send an email, and sometimmes not.
My next test (tomarrow as it is past midnight here-is to remove my Netgear WIFI router and see if that helps.
_Mike

 

[TIGREBLANCO]

Download and install Netscape navigator latest version, if you can surf normally with Netscape then you have something corrupt on Internet Explorer or the registry sections related to it.
If you still get the same problem with Netscape then it's either the winsock2 or a hardware problem (i.e. interference, IRQ's, bad wire).

 

[capt74]

This morning, I closed everything down, and removed my WIFI NETGEAR router (model MR814 v2) and restarted. The problem does not occur now and apears to be resolved. I will have to contact NETGEAR, and ask them what the problem could be with their hardware. Any reports of an issue with NETGEAR WIFI? The thing was working for a about 1-2 weeks when this all started. All indicators (lights) are on as they should be.
_Mike