Can't connect with one URL.

[micker377]

For about a week, I can't connect with

http://www.pcworld.com

on THIS Windows 7 computer. I just get a message that the browser (I.E., Firefox, Waterfox,etc.) "can't connect". I can connect with my Win 8 computer (wired), and my Win 7 laptop (wireless). The problem is that I subscribe to PcWorld online, I get the e-mail page that it's there, but the links can't connect.
I can connect to PcWorld - Australia, and PcWorld - Philippines on this computer. Somehow THIS computer is blocking PcWorld USA.
Tried disabling AVG - no effect.
Where's the host file on Win 7? I don't have any other "security" programs to block individual sites.
No virus's, and I am the only user.

 

[hairlessupportmonkey]

So, when you open a command prompt and do this:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>nslookup
Default Server: Your.DNS.Server
Address: xxx.xxx.xx.xxx

>

http://www.pcworld.com

Server: Your.DNS.Server
Address: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:

http://www.pcworld.com

Address: 70.42.185.10

Do you get a response.

If you do, try browsing to the IP address. If that doesnt work, give your ISP a quick call and see if they have a similar issue.


ACSS - SME
General Geek

 

[micker377]

Something seems to be missing in translation. When I open a command prompt, I get:
c:\users\micker7
If I try to CD to c:\ and type what you show, I get "syntax incorrect".
I did try 70.42.185.10, and got the same message that "Firefox can't connect".
It can't be an I.P., or DNS problem - because other computers connected to this Modem and Router function O.K.!
I'm still looking for the Host file on this computer.

 

[goombawaho]

You don't need to CD at all. Open CMD prompt and type the following

nslookup

then type

http://www.pcworld.com

You can then ping the IP address AND try to access the web site in a browser by typing that ip address. Post results.

 

[micker377]

208.67.220.220 Open DNS: ping - packets - 4 sent 4 received 0 lost
67.215.65.132 pcworld: ping - packets - 4 sent 4 received 0 lost
Tried 67.215.65.132 as URL, normal message "Can't connect".

Is there a HOST file in Win 7?

 

[goombawaho]

Yeah - scope it out and see what's in there.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-hosts-file/

 

[linney]

Have you tried removing all the saved or stored links on your computer (Favorites, Cookies, T.I.F., etc.) that point to

http://www.pcworld.com/

and then manually typing the URL into the address box of the browser?

 

[Prattaratt]

Also, try flushing your dns cache with the following command: ipconfig /flushdns

 

[goombawaho]

And even rebooting the router, plus the above AND checking the HOSTS file.

What about possible malware infection - that can always mess around with URLs, but usually not just one.

 

[micker377]

flushdns - no help.
Linked directly from cable modem to computer, rebooted computer - no help.
Checked Host file PcWorld not listed. (BTW, I notice that I have a large number of Host back-ups - can I get rid of some of these?)
Internet Options > security - not listed in 'Restricted Zone".

Haven't tried linney's "remove all" - that sounds like a "last resort"! <grin>

 

[hairlessupportmonkey]

also, remove your network device from device manager, and either refresh it or reboot, to reinstall the driver.

ACSS - SME
General Geek

 

[Prattaratt]

this is a little more complicated but try this: got to the Network and Sharing center (you can get there through the network settings option in control panel, or just click on the network icon in the notification area), click on change adapter settings (upper left hand corner); when that comes up, click on your adapter that you are using (you may have more than one if you have a wireless connector as well as an enternet connection); click on properties; then select Internet Protocol 4 and click on the properties button. That should pull up a window that has an option to automatically select DNS server address or to manually enter it in; click on "Use the following DNS Server" and enter in 8.8.8.8 for a primary and 8.8.4.4 for a secondary (These are Google's public DNS servers) and click ok. Exit out of everything by clicking on "Ok" and try to access PCWorld again. If that works your ISP's DNS server Database has been corrupted in some way, and you may want to let them know.

 

[micker377]

hairlessupportmonkey:
Network is working fine - can access ALL sites but this ONE on THIS computer. (BTW, that was among the first things I did!)
Prattaratt:
Have tried three different DNS sites. My DNS (OpenDNS), is set through my router. Other computers connected to this router can access PcWorld through OpenDNS.

 

[goombawaho]

Last option?????? Malware scan. Sounds doubtful, but what else is there at this point?

 

[micker377]

Ran a full scan with AVG. No problems. Then wondered if AVG could be a cause(email protection), So I uninstalled AVG, and installed full version of M.S.E. and ran a full scan.
No help.

 

[linney]

Have you tried your luck on the machine as a different Windows user?

 

[micker377]

No, I am the only user. There is none other to switch to.

 

[micker377]

Update - new line of attack!
I CAN access the PcWorld website in the Chrome browser!
Gonna' have to play with my add-ons on F.F.!

 

[Prattaratt]

Okay here is what we know so far:
1. That your Browser's cannot connect to a specific website by hostname.
2. That the IP that your system is resolving to is incorrect. The correct one is 70.42.185.10, but the address you are getting is 67.215.65.132.
3. That the DNS server is good is not the source of the erroneous IP.
4. The problem is localized to only your system on your LAN.
5. That Chrome is not affected by the problem, but all the rest of the browsers are.

Chrome has its own internal DNS cache, which Mozilla and IE do not. My guess is that the DNS cache on your system has been corupted in some way. You can test this by turning off the DNS cache on your system. Follow this link on instructions on how to do this:

http://www.tothepc.com/archives/turn-off-dns-cache-on-windows/

Let us know how that goes.

 

[micker377]

Found it!!! An add-on called "HTTPS Everywhere" is to blame. I have been using it for years. For some reason it is incompatible with F.F. 15. It says it was last updated Aug 12, 2012.
As for compatibility, EVERY add-on states that it is incompatible with F.F. 15! Even such standards as "NoScript", and "Adblock Plus"!
Don't know why - don't care... my computer works again!!!
Thanks guys - I learned a lot about I.P. addresses on this one!