Extremely frustrating problem - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Crack · 09-26-2009, 07:21 PM

Not quite sure what happened, but TFP isn't working for my computer. There are a few websites that I frequent, and they just will not load. Up until about 2 days ago, they worked just fine.

When I try to load TFP/wowhead/tinychat/few others, I get the message:

Quote:

The connection was reset.
The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.
The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.
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.

some websites work fine; google, digg, fark, photobucket and a whole host of other websites that I went to trying to research this issue. They load fast, and there are no issues.

I thought I might have some sort of malicious shit going on, so I ran spybot, and all it came back with was some tracking cookies.

Using the same browser, I can go to zangoproxy.com and get to TFP that way, and it will load.

I ran winsockXPfix, and it did it's thing, but it didn't help.

I try to use IE 6.0, and the pages still won't load, but I get the generic "page cannot be displayed" message.

Need help!

Firefox 3.2.3
WinXP Pro SP1 X64 edition

Currently using the Tor network to post this question. Help!

Daniel_ · 09-27-2009, 02:28 AM

I have no idea, Crack, but has anything been patched?

Wyodiver33 · 09-27-2009, 05:02 AM

That's really strange. You aren't running the latest version of Firefox but if you can't see the TFP in IE 6 then that's not the problem. Maybe do a System Restore to a point a few days ago?

Redlemon · 09-27-2009, 05:33 AM

Bad local DNS cache?

ratbastid · 09-27-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack

I try to use IE 6.0, and the pages still won't load, but I get the generic "page cannot be displayed" message.

It's probably not so generic. Might be useful info on that.

I second Redlemon on this--it sounds DNSish. You might try whoising the domains from the command line, just to isolate that function. If that fails, bingo. In which case, you could try opendns.com, a free alternate DNS provider.

Martian · 09-27-2009, 10:26 AM

Not likely to be DNS related.

Connection Reset refers to a specific function of the TCP/IP protocol, and is only possible after the address is resolved. If it was a DNS issue the expected error would be 'cannot find server' instead.

Since you're able to access sites through a proxy, the most likely cause in my mind is a misconfigured firewall, but it's hard to say for sure without a ton more information that you may or may not have access to.

Crack · 09-27-2009, 02:55 PM

Tested the DNS by using openDNS, as well as flushing the DNS cashe, same issue. Does anyone know if there is a program like proxyswitcher (Anonymous Browsing via Proxy Servers with Proxy Switcher) that I could try out? I would use it, but my trial period is expired, and uninstall/remove registry entries do not work to reset the time. Having to use the Tor Network is killing me. No Java, no Flash, no cookies...

Here is a little more info, "using" a wifi connection that is not mine. Wasn't using torrents or anything crazy out of respect for the owners, usually only used it after 6:00PM when the business people weren't even there. It worked fine up until about 3-4 days ago. Do you think that they did something to the firewall to block a few random sites? They are very random, and most are sites I don't even visit except recently to test this out.

PulpMind · 09-27-2009, 09:59 PM

I had a similar problem a while ago. I thought it was my ISP... buuut...

Try connecting your computer directly to your modem. Are you using wireless? Try connecting directly to the router...
For some reason my computer can't use the wireless connection with my router. So I connect with a cable. My housemates use the wireless without a problem.

good luck!

flat5 · 09-28-2009, 10:47 AM

Redlemon · 09-28-2009, 10:50 AM

Important addition that people are missing:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack

"using" a wifi connection that is not mine. Wasn't using torrents or anything crazy out of respect for the owners, usually only used it after 6:00PM when the business people weren't even there. It worked fine up until about 3-4 days ago. Do you think that they did something to the firewall to block a few random sites? They are very random, and most are sites I don't even visit except recently to test this out.

Mr.E · 09-28-2009, 05:10 PM

I would say it sounds like they blocked the site, but I can't see someone who doesn't encrypt their wifi to either take the time to block the sites or even know how to.

Crack · 10-02-2009, 04:18 PM

Some more info

I can ping every site that is coming back as "The connection was reset"
Using Tor, I can access any site.
Using a browser proxy I can access any site.
Google always works.
I can google a page about "proxy servers" and they will all come back as The connection was reset, but I can google "puppies" and every page will open.

This leads me to believe that there is some sort of web filter in place. Do we concur at least in regards to that point?

I just really wish there were a way to test something like this.

Xerxys · 10-02-2009, 04:52 PM

Try changing you IP address. If this doesn't fix it then there is a web filter.

Martian · 10-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Changing your ip won't affect anything, since you're behind NAT.

Given that you're appropriating a business connection, web filter seems like the most probable cause of your issues. With the very specific and narrow focus of the blocked sites, it's the only plausible explanation here.

Reese · 10-02-2009, 06:23 PM

You could always go over to your network admins house and ask :O

BulletCatcher · 11-06-2009, 01:11 AM

Thought about starting a new topic but this one is close to what I'm currently experiencing.

As of about an hour ago I have been unable to access certain sites through my work's network. Last week I noticed that our subcription to Trend Micro had expired and brought it to the owners attention. They said they would take care of it and tonight when I showed up I noticed they had installed AVG on the server. I also noticed that they failed to uninstall Trend Micro and had shut off the firewall so I proceeded to uninstall TM and turned the firewall back on.

Since doing that I have been unable to access certain sites such as Google and our company's own website (but am obviously able to connect to many other sites such as TFP

). There is also the problem of we have a 2 way interface with an online reservation system that is timing out when checking for new reservations. We also process our credit cards online but that interface appears to be working fine thankfully. These were all accessable and working fine before uninstalling TM and turning on the firewall.

When trying to connect to Google and our own website I get a bad DNS error. I did a DNS flush both on the server and the comp I'm using. I've also shut down the modem, router, server and all computers on the network and rebooted. I then checked that the firewall was configured to allow connection for the programs that need it but still no luck. I then shut off the firewall and rebooted everything again but am still unable to connect to some sites and the 2 way interface still times out. I have now even done a system restore to a point before uninstalling TM (thus basically reinstalling it) and disabled AVG but the problem persists.

I am at a complete loss as to what to try next. Any suggestions?

---------- Post added at 03:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 AM ----------

UPDATE-----Well not sure what happened but everything is working again. I didn't change a thing since first posting this so I'm still not sure what the problem was.

09-27-2009, 02:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	I have no idea, Crack, but has anything been patched? __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

09-27-2009, 05:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	That's really strange. You aren't running the latest version of Firefox but if you can't see the TFP in IE 6 then that's not the problem. Maybe do a System Restore to a point a few days ago? __________________ I like stuff.

09-27-2009, 05:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Bad local DNS cache? __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

09-27-2009, 10:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Not likely to be DNS related. Connection Reset refers to a specific function of the TCP/IP protocol, and is only possible after the address is resolved. If it was a DNS issue the expected error would be 'cannot find server' instead. Since you're able to access sites through a proxy, the most likely cause in my mind is a misconfigured firewall, but it's hard to say for sure without a ton more information that you may or may not have access to. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

09-27-2009, 02:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Crack Misanthropic Location: Ohio! yay!	Tested the DNS by using openDNS, as well as flushing the DNS cashe, same issue. Does anyone know if there is a program like proxyswitcher (Anonymous Browsing via Proxy Servers with Proxy Switcher) that I could try out? I would use it, but my trial period is expired, and uninstall/remove registry entries do not work to reset the time. Having to use the Tor Network is killing me. No Java, no Flash, no cookies... Here is a little more info, "using" a wifi connection that is not mine. Wasn't using torrents or anything crazy out of respect for the owners, usually only used it after 6:00PM when the business people weren't even there. It worked fine up until about 3-4 days ago. Do you think that they did something to the firewall to block a few random sites? They are very random, and most are sites I don't even visit except recently to test this out. __________________ Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex. ~Halx

09-27-2009, 09:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
PulpMind Addict Location: Portland	I had a similar problem a while ago. I thought it was my ISP... buuut... Try connecting your computer directly to your modem. Are you using wireless? Try connecting directly to the router... For some reason my computer can't use the wireless connection with my router. So I connect with a cable. My housemates use the wireless without a problem. good luck!

09-28-2009, 10:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	.. Last edited by flat5; 10-03-2009 at 03:43 AM..

09-28-2009, 05:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mr.E Upright	I would say it sounds like they blocked the site, but I can't see someone who doesn't encrypt their wifi to either take the time to block the sites or even know how to.

10-02-2009, 04:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Crack Misanthropic Location: Ohio! yay!	Some more info I can ping every site that is coming back as "The connection was reset" Using Tor, I can access any site. Using a browser proxy I can access any site. Google always works. I can google a page about "proxy servers" and they will all come back as The connection was reset, but I can google "puppies" and every page will open. This leads me to believe that there is some sort of web filter in place. Do we concur at least in regards to that point? I just really wish there were a way to test something like this. __________________ Crack, you and I are long overdue for a vicious bout of mansex. ~Halx

10-02-2009, 04:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Try changing you IP address. If this doesn't fix it then there is a web filter.

10-02-2009, 05:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Changing your ip won't affect anything, since you're behind NAT. Given that you're appropriating a business connection, web filter seems like the most probable cause of your issues. With the very specific and narrow focus of the blocked sites, it's the only plausible explanation here. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

10-02-2009, 06:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	You could always go over to your network admins house and ask :O __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

11-06-2009, 01:11 AM	#16 (permalink)
BulletCatcher Crazy Location: America's Outback	Thought about starting a new topic but this one is close to what I'm currently experiencing. As of about an hour ago I have been unable to access certain sites through my work's network. Last week I noticed that our subcription to Trend Micro had expired and brought it to the owners attention. They said they would take care of it and tonight when I showed up I noticed they had installed AVG on the server. I also noticed that they failed to uninstall Trend Micro and had shut off the firewall so I proceeded to uninstall TM and turned the firewall back on. Since doing that I have been unable to access certain sites such as Google and our company's own website (but am obviously able to connect to many other sites such as TFP ). There is also the problem of we have a 2 way interface with an online reservation system that is timing out when checking for new reservations. We also process our credit cards online but that interface appears to be working fine thankfully. These were all accessable and working fine before uninstalling TM and turning on the firewall. When trying to connect to Google and our own website I get a bad DNS error. I did a DNS flush both on the server and the comp I'm using. I've also shut down the modem, router, server and all computers on the network and rebooted. I then checked that the firewall was configured to allow connection for the programs that need it but still no luck. I then shut off the firewall and rebooted everything again but am still unable to connect to some sites and the 2 way interface still times out. I have now even done a system restore to a point before uninstalling TM (thus basically reinstalling it) and disabled AVG but the problem persists. I am at a complete loss as to what to try next. Any suggestions? ---------- Post added at 03:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 AM ---------- UPDATE-----Well not sure what happened but everything is working again. I didn't change a thing since first posting this so I'm still not sure what the problem was.