13 replies to this topic

[nickfixit]

Hi,

I was having some problems with my MSN account, aand I spent a buch of time on the phone with them trying to make things right. They left my without the ability to get online at all, and simply blamed my computer.I deleted the MSN software from my machine, and installed AOL. I also  reinstalled Windows 98. Now I can go online and my computer seems to work normally, almost.

For some reason, I can't buy or join anything online. I have checked all my settings, and do not see anything wrong.I doubt it's a hardware problem, I think it's a windows issue. I really should know more about Windows, but it's hard to put in the time and energy when you have the whole job/home/family thing going on.

Any ideas would be helpful. I may just take it to a local computer repair shop. At least they won't put me in the middle between the computer manufacturer and the software companys. I just pay to make it go.

Nick 

[Mad Mac]

This sounds like some kind of security issue. Open Internet Explorer, then Tools/Internet Options/Security. Tell us what you see there.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Security issue is a good place to start, as the Mad One adroitly suggested. Could also be a problem with Microslop's .NET name server. That system has been an abortion-that-lived since the day it was unleashed on the web.

When you say you can't buy anything, do you mean .NET enabled sites or even sites that accept payment with PayPal?

You know, Nick, for just a bit more money than you might pay to upgrade your operating system, this might be a good crossroads to go Mac.

[nickfixit]

Years ago when I was looking at my first computer purchase, I was torn between the Mac and the PC. I fear I chose poorly. Mac user don't have all this trouble.

I'll try your tips Mad Mac.

thanks

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

[user=425]nickfixit[/user] wrote:

Years ago when I was looking at my first computer purchase, I was torn between the Mac and the PC. I fear I chose poorly.

Well, you know what they say, "Once you go Mac, you'll always be black," ... or something like that.

[neckhardt]

Look in Internet Options -> Privacy and make sure COOKIES are allowed. If you do not accept cookies, you can get the problems you are observing.

 

Neal

[superba]

[user=425]nickfixit[/user] wrote:

Hi,

I was having some problems with my MSN account, aand I spent a buch of time on the phone with them trying to make things right. They left my without the ability to get online at all, and simply blamed my computer.I deleted the MSN software from my machine, and installed AOL. I also reinstalled Windows 98. Now I can go online and my computer seems to work normally, almost.

For some reason, I can't buy or join anything online. I have checked all my settings, and do not see anything wrong.I doubt it's a hardware problem, I think it's a windows issue. I really should know more about Windows, but it's hard to put in the time and energy when you have the whole job/home/family thing going on.

Any ideas would be helpful. I may just take it to a local computer repair shop. At least they won't put me in the middle between the computer manufacturer and the software companys. I just pay to make it go.

Nick

Most of the time these problems can be solved by AOL tech support; make them do it; that's what they're there for.

Why? The normal AOL installation makes many changes to your system including an AOL version of Internet Explorer. What you wind up with is an AOL modification of your system, not to mention that, unless you positively elected to negate it, AOL downloads all kinds of software to your system almost every time you're on line and installs it before it will let you shut down. Make the tech support guy stop that, unless you want it.

Then, be sure that you have working malware programs for spyware, adware, viruses(virii for the purist). Run them every few days and be sure that you get the latest updates. I use Adaware Free(free), Microsoft AntiSpyware(free), Spyware Blaster(free), Spybot, and RegSupreme. You must do this because the bad guys out there are continually putting malware on your computer every time you browse.

And, last but not least, turn off your system at least once per day and restart it from cold. Why? Because the OS startups do lots of housekeeping that otherwise doesn't get done.

Use your defrag utility(if you have one).

[Keinokuorma]

[user=14]neckhardt[/user] wrote:

Look in Internet Options -> Privacy and make sure COOKIES are allowed.

i JUST HAD TO.

[yodabug]

and sometimes the version of IE your using is not enabled with 128bit encryption or that encryptionj gets broken which would stop you from joining any site that uses 128bit encryption (or SSL [https])and I know for a fact that most .net enable sites require this and so does paypal and an increasing number of sites that you must join as a member to participate in....windows 98? LMAO...sorry dude....Mac? Well, I only giggle at Macs...although I am using winbloze XP it is solely because I play games a lot since I've been unemployed (January 7,2006...shoulder injury, skiing accident, no more heavy labor for me...going into truck driving..oh well...) neways, Get Ubuntu if you are not a linux user or never have been , or knoppix live cd (you run it form your cdrom until you realize how great it is then you can install it) or if you are feeling REALLY brave you can do a net install of the latest debian release(although I do NOT recommend that if you have no clue what linux is....and only if you have a stable, high speed connection)..NEways, win98 has got to go friend...you can try this though, it will fix all the broken winsock reg entries that both MSN and AOL break for you so they can OWN your computer, I mean really guys, I know Americans love AOL and MSN but ya gotta realize sooner or later that they both suck big time...NEways....try these:

For fixing winsock problems due to spyware, AOL or MSN uninstallations:

http://www.bu.edu/pc...insock2fix.html

Ubuntu Linux:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download


Knoppix LiveCD:

http://www.knoppix.org/

Download it, burn it to cd, the reboot PC and hit enter when prompted...LOL

MadMac...I hear OSX finally gives ya'll a shell? Since MacOS has been Unix based since day one I wonder why they (Apple) waited SO long to give you all a shell to use...LOL...Macs and Winbloze are so proprietory why bother...I always have a linux drive ready to boot into when I want to do some REAL work...the other two are for games...well, I make an exception for the Mac, proprietory or not it IS a kick ass PC, and since OSX a great OS to...but again, why bother, Linux and freeBSD run fine on regular PC AND Mac hardware and ya can do whatever ya want to them without worrying about the "license" police....neways, whatever turns yer crank..hope the winsock link helps ya out..oh yeah I almost forgot there was a way to reinstall 128bit encryption in win98, now what was that again...hhhmmm....re-install IE I think....so if ya upgrade to internet explorer 6 or something or just download firefox and use it your website joining problems should all go away...either way you should probably install java to, so here:

FIREFOX:

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

JAVA:

http://javashoplm.su...sactionId=noreg

IE 6 SP 1

This setup file will download all the necessary files to install IE6 SP1, including a full download of internet explorer 6..Win98 comes with what IE5 I think?

NEways, this IE update should resolve any SSL problems:

http://www.download....4-10148260.html

Seriously though, install the IE 6 update, and then install firefox and use firefox, don't open IE ever again unless ya absolutely have to...spyware avodiance at it's best ya know...

Cheers!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Excellent primer on web safety and alternatives to Windoze. My downstairs work station is a recovered IBM PC that formerly ran Windoze XP. Ahh, the satisfaction I had the day I reformatted the harddrive and installed Xandros Linux Bidness Edition 3.0. Painless install, zero learning curve and blazing fast like I never saw before.

Though, I must say, for content creation and development, nothing, and I mean nothing beats the Mac. Too many development tools that makes it easy to create original, unique content-- they get all the techie junk outta the way so you can focus on creating.

But for hard core, techie stuff, like server maintenance, coding, etc., that's when I jump in the Xandros chair.

[yodabug]

Xandros is an awesome OS...however, it just sticks in my craw that it is linux and you PAY for it. There are litterally a hundred different flavors of linux that are freely available for download and install AND thousands of softwares that will cover everything and I mean everything you could ever want to do on a computer available for free download...I guess if you are NOT that technical a bought and paid for version of linux is good, however, having over 10years experience supporting and maintaining winbloze, unix,linux OS environments including network and corporate I have no such use for a "commerialized" version of linux...RedHat is good to, but again, ya gotta pay for it, unless ya want to buggy free version...thats why I choose Debian, free for now and always, only problem is if ya want speed you really should build yer own kernel and optimize it for 586/686 as opposed to the standard 386 install.....good to see another linux user though...

Cheers!

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

[user=13065]yodabug[/user] wrote:

Xandros is an awesome OS...however, it just sticks in my craw that it is linux and you PAY for it.

Ahhh, but it's all in the packaging and ease-of-installation. I've also installed Fedora Core 4 and 5-- both installs went fine but they are more byzantine and involved than simply inserting the CD and booting up, as is the case with Xandros.

Other differences in the included applications, e.g., StarOffice in Xandros vs. OpenOffice in Fedora. Same base but StarOffice is Sun's version and includes support and built-in extras-- important features for people who would use the product to run a SOHO. Ditto with Xandros itself.

But, I must say, for pure geekery and flexibility, Fedora has it all over Xandros.

[Keinokuorma]

Although Linux comes from my country, I never got to be a real believer... have worked with C64, Amigas, some Mac and DOS/Windows PC's for about 20 years... Always gotten stumped with linux somewhere, haven't got the time to f*ck around with it, need to get things done instead of yanking some part of the OS in in various angles for hours.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

All I can do is quote my sys. admin, José, "Linux been berry berry good to me." If José says it, well, 'nuff said. : bandanna: