Websites just don't work! ARGH!

[bob bobato]

For the last year or so, there have been certain websites that simply do not work on my computer, on any browser. They simply keep on loading and loading, but never do (and I have a high speed connection). That's much to little info at the moment, but I know very little about internet connections, so there's nothing I could give. Are there any ideas as to why this has been happening?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

It's possible that your connection is screwed up. Do you have a router? Try turning it off for 30 seconds and then back on, that should reset the settings.

 

[Turner]

Kinda hard to diagnose. Have you tried other browsers? Have you tried contacting your ISP? Checked for spy/ad/malware? Virus'?

 

[Perfection]

Which websites?

 

[Zelig]

Do they work via www.mathtunnel.com ?

Do they work using a different computer on the network, or booting to a different operating system (such as a Knoppix cd)?

 

[bob bobato]

It's possible that your connection is screwed up. Do you have a router? Try turning it off for 30 seconds and then back on, that should reset the settings.

I have a router, but this problem started before I got it.

Kinda hard to diagnose. Have you tried other browsers? Have you tried contacting your ISP? Checked for spy/ad/malware? Virus'?

I've used Internet Explore, Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, and even Netscape Navigator. They all have the same problem, though some browsers, especially Opera, allow websites that never work on the others (catalogue.banq.qc.ca, www.bmo.com, etc). I've never tried contacting my ISP, but I have virus protection, and it only ever finds tracking cookies.

Which websites?

Those that I could recall:
www.hotmail.com
www.shopcorus.com
www.banq.qc.ca
sometimes microsoft websites don't work.
Most google searches have usually have a handful of websites that don't work.
Also, and I don't know if this means anything, but shopcurs and banq used to work, but then after a couple of weeks, stopped.

Do they work via www.mathtunnel.com ?

Do they work using a different computer on the network, or booting to a different operating system (such as a Knoppix cd)?

Some work on mathtunnel (hotmail doesn't, banq does). I only have one computer on a network- I'm not sure I even have a networ, but there is a wireless internet network- and I only have one OS.

 

[Turner]

Check for spy/mal/ad-ware, and run a full virus scan. I'd do a full scan on the spy/mal/ad-ware too.

 

[Zelig]

Some work on mathtunnel (hotmail doesn't, banq does). I only have one computer on a network- I'm not sure I even have a networ, but there is a wireless internet network- and I only have one OS.

Are you plugged into the router, or using the wireless?

 

[bob bobato]

Are you plugged into the router, or using the wireless?

i'm plugged into the router. The wireless is just there for another computer in the house, and doesn't have this problem.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Can you try logging into Safe Mode With Networking and try from there? Just to see if its a weird driver. e.g. Maybe the network card.

EDIT: I also should mention I once had the same problem, but only in Firefox. It was due to a faulty add-on. Perhaps you could try closing unnecessary processes one by one to see if one of those do it.

 

[Perfection]

Sounds very virusy to me.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Sounds very virusy to me.

Nice word.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

nobody suggested this yet, but try pinging the sites. Start>Run>cmd> ping yoursite.com
if that times out, then its a problem with your connection overall, if not, its your browser(s)

 

[bob bobato]

nobody suggested this yet, but try pinging the sites. Start>Run>cmd> ping yoursite.com
if that times out, then its a problem with your connection overall, if not, its your browser(s)

I tried hotmail, it timed out. I tried other websites that don't work, they timed out. I tried google (which works), and it didn't time out. So there's a problem with the connection I guess.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Do any neighbors use the same ISP? Ask them if they have trouble, to see if its the ISP or your connection. (Also neighbors as it may be a weird telephone line.)

 

[Genocidicbunny]

now try doing a tracert on those same websites. maybe you can pinpoint where stuff is breaking.
Same place, in cmd.
Copy-Paste the results back here.

 

[Till]

Try Start->Run->cmd-> ipconfig /flushdns

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

You can also check the hosts file to see if there's anything messing it up.
Wikipedia shows where it is and how to find it. Click and become aware!

 

[Zelig]

Guys, if the wireless doesn't have the problem with another computer, it's a computer problem, not a connection problem.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Guys, if the wireless doesn't have the problem with another computer, it's a computer problem, not a connection problem.

Not entirely true. The connection problem doesnt have to be past the router, but it could very well just be having trouble dealing with the wired connection.
A tracert will tell you where the break in the network is occuring.
A dns flush like Till suggested is also a good idea.
On a similar topic, trying OpenDNS may be a good idea. Possible that the DNS server for your pc isnt resolving the addresses correctly.