IT assistance needed...

[bucketobolts]

My desk top PC is giving me a fit. I still run windows XP and use Mozilla Firefox as my browser. My problem is when I click to open a new page I get a "Server not found" message. Then below it lists:

# Check the address for typing errors such as
ww.example.com instead of
www.example.com

# If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
connection.

# If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.


I have all the browser settings the same for my laptop and do not have this trouble. I've downloaded the latest updates from Mozilla, but am beginning to wonder if I need an add-on.

[bucketobolts]

I was going to try to copy a screen shot for reference, but for some reason I cannot get the PrtScn to work so I can paste it into paintcratchhe:

[chuzie]

i am sure you already reboot your computer, right? In my experience, that is an internet connection issue. Have you tried resetting you modem and/ or router? Give Internet Explorer a try and see what happens with it.

[bucketobolts]

Yep, I've done all the basic stuff. Cleaned the cookies, cache, reboot both, down loaded the latest updates from Mozilla. Still get the same message.

Explorer works fine on the PC, but I prefer the Firefox browser if it will work.

[gumby93]

here's my two cents....try uninstalling firefox if you have not already..reinstall it and see if that helps out at all...i have had a couple issues with it and this seemed to fix it

[josephitguy]

Check the Work Offline setting, sometimes the browser will loose internet and go into this mode.
Can you type google.com in the address bar and load google.com. Could be the start page you are trying to load is not responding.
Also turn off any firewall you may have and test it. Could also be loosing DNS servers, were the number(IP address) gets converted to the URL( website address you can read)
Try:
Go to RUN on Start Menu
Type CMD
then type: ifconfig /all
Will list a bunch of numbers, look for DNS Servers . . . . . . .: then a number
type in: ping and that number ( like 10.140.232.41)
should get a response that starts with Reply from then the number
If you get Request timed out.
Then the DNS server is not responding. This is an ISP (internet service provider problem) call them, and yes IE will sometimes work with the DNS server not responding, it will Proxy serve to a Microsoft DNS which Firefox cannot do. And yes I HATE IE so this is not an endorsement.
If you get a reply then your internet connection is fine.
Did you recently upgrade IE? Sometimes it will set XP settings to only allow it to connect.
Did you change router settings, are you using someother program that may be interfering with Internet, like a file sharing program?
Did you talk bad about Bill Gates, he has spy's everywhere? ( Okay, this is a BS question!)

[bucketobolts]

Ok, I'm back at the PC trying to diagnose the problem again.

Work Offline settings are alright.

I tried the ifconfig/all thing and get a "ifconfig not a internal or external command" message.

I mostly use my laptop and the wife and kids use this PC for their spacebook/myface stuff. But I have noticed that if I start Firefox and walk off or wait a few minutes while the home page (AOL) loads, it tends to work smoother. Then if I get the server not found message for one page, I usually go through my favorites till a page finally loads. After I find a page that will load I can go back to the original page and it will normal load fine.

[josephitguy]

Sorry, it is ipconfig not ifconfig, wrong Operating System (That's a Linux command).
This still sounds like the DNS issue.
Do you have AOL installed? This can affect it also. It could be using AOLs DNS servers. I know this is probably all going over your head.
You will not find an IT guy that likes AOL, you cant even use AOL and Vonage on the same network. :banghead:

AOL uses IE to work, it will block or slow down other browsers to be able to use IEs "features" to push more ads. :error:

I think the solution, if you cannot find any other, might be to remove AOL, if it is installed. But you may not like hearing that.

[bucketobolts]

I just use AOL for my homepage and Email. I had to remove AOL a couple years back when it started eating memory. Sending PM...

[bucketobolts]

The Timewarner guy came out and ended up removing some old filters from the box and the road. He said it probably wouldn't help, but my problems magically disappeared.

Now I have had a few issues with my sons PS3 not receiving the wireless signal from the router...Think I just pick up an Ethernet cable and solve that one.