Mystery: "your web browser does not seem to have cookies enabled" -- WhoDunIt?

[Richard]

I received an email with a link to a meetings.com site. When I clicked
to log in, I got the message "Sorry, your web browser does not seem to
have cookies enabled."

I'm running four security packages that I know of on a WinXP-Pro/SP2
system: Prevx1, Spyware Doctor, AGV Free, and AdawareAlert.

One of these packages (I think) alerts me regularly about sites I visit
wanting to set/update cookies. The package gives me the opportunity to
reject the request, permit it for this session only, or permit
entirely. Further, it allows me to apply my choice to all future
request from the subject site.

I can't find that feature in any of the four packages. Do you think
I'm overlooking it in one of them, or do you think that service is
provided by some other package whose name escapes me right now?

I'd like to be able to log into the site that's currently rejecting me.


Does anyone recognize a security package that operates in the manner I
described above?

TIA,
Richard

 

[PA Bear]

How about IE itself? (And what is your IE version, anyway?)

IE Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Sites > type in

meetings.com

and Allow cookies.

Also make certain your time, date, and time *zone* settings are all correct.

Managing Cookies
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283185
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive/answers.htm#cookies

Web Site Reports That You Must Enable Cookies
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299331

Error Message: Not Accepting Cookies
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=175662

Error Message: Your Web Browser Options Are Currently Set to Disable
Cookies...
(covers re-setting time via command line prompt)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=814141

 

[Richard]

Hi Robear,

I've benefited from a number of your responses in the past. Thanks for
responding to this question. And thanks for all the links.

How about IE itself? (And what is your IE version, anyway?)

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP2, FireFox 1.2.0.7 & IE 7. The problem occurs
in Firefox to a link in an email message that leads me to a particular
website: http://ruby.meetup.com/85/calendar/5269949/t/rr/

Some software I've installed pops up whenever a site I visits tries to
install a cookie. This software allows me to deny the request, allow
it for the session, or allow it unrestricted. This software still
works even after the problem with meetup.com arose.

The meetup.com link in question, however, didn't even cause the cookie
intervention to pop up. That's very likely because I might have clicked
an option for this site to deny cookies and never ask about it again!
But I don't know what software on my system provides this service, so I
don't how to undo this option if this is indeed the case.

The security packages I know about on my system are: AVG-Free 7.5.430,
Prevx1 2.0.2.23,
Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 & Adware Alert 3.6.3

... meetings.com ... Allow cookies.

Did that.

time, date, and time *zone*

All correct.

I just sent an email to WebMail.us, which provides my email server,
asking whether their software provides the cookie security service I'm
getting and, if so, how I can unblock any sites I might have
"blacklisted".

Earlier today I sent an email to Meetings.com about the problem.

So I'll await those responses and check for any additional advice you
may offer.

Thanks again for advising me.

Regards,
Richard

 

[Richard]

Just a couple of additional notes:

Webmail.us that use through the FireFox browser says the don't do any
permit/deny of cookies

I previously added Meetup.com to the White List of Spyware Doctor.
Their Quarantine List only lists generic categories and provides no
details of specific sites.

 

[lurkswithin]

Use the old failsafe of process of elimination. Turn each program off
one at a time ..trying to gain entrance into the website..till you
find out which one it is or to see that it is something else that you
are not mentioning.

I would also check to see the internet options> security tab and
reset all configurations to default levels.

 

[MsOsWin.8lCK9hAAAADE7lhLsRStjiFks8uO85PU]

Hi Robear,

I've benefited from a number of your responses in the past.
Thanks for responding to this question. And thanks for all the
links.


I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP2, FireFox 1.2.0.7 & IE 7.

current firefox is 2.0
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
they may also be maintaining security on 1.5.0.?

The problem
occurs in Firefox to a link in an email message that leads me to a
particular website:
http://ruby.meetup.com/85/calendar/5269949/t/rr/

ff asks for cookie for
www.meetup.com/
i put garbage into signin page to see if different cookie is requested, but there wasn't. (maybe once logged in)

hmm. more clicking. cookies are requested for the name of the group, so there should be one for uby.meetup.com/

Some software I've installed pops up whenever a site I visits
tries to install a cookie. This software allows me to deny the
request, allow it for the session, or allow it unrestricted.
This software still works even after the problem with meetup.com
arose.

from your 1st post:
sometimes an images.google search for each software will show a familiar popup from the software, example:
cookies | cookie AdawareAlert

The meetup.com link in question, however, didn't even cause the
cookie intervention to pop up. That's very likely because I might
have clicked an option for this site to deny cookies and never ask
about it again! But I don't know what software on my system
provides this service, so I don't how to undo this option if this
is indeed the case.

The security packages I know about on my system are: AVG-Free
7.5.430, Prevx1 2.0.2.23,
Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 & Adware Alert 3.6.3

i've never run any of those. avg is antivirus, doubt deals with cookies, Prevx1 "intrusion" ware? doubt... The names of
these... Spyware Doctor, doubt.. Adware Alert, still doubt...
first guess of source of cookie request is the browser

firefox cookie managing thru tools>options.

 

[Richard]

Hi,

Thanks for responding and covering a number of issues. Thanks
especially because you solved my problem.

current firefox is 2.0

You're so right. I am running 2.0. I failed to update my system
configuration notes and hence misrepresented the situation.

ff asks for cookie for
www.meetup.com/

That's the key to my dilemma. Now that you pointed it out, I feel
stupid for not having checked that before.

In Firefox 2.0, I went to Tools | Options | Privacy | Exceptions
Scrolled down to and selected www.meetup.com
Noted that it's status was set to "blocked"
Clicked "Remove site" and "Close"

I just tested logging in to meetup.com and that was successful. Funny,
though. I didn't get prompted as to whether I wished to allow
meetup.com to set a cookie. I'll have to investigate this further.

Again, thanks for your help.

Regards,
Richard

 

[Richard]

Hi All,

Just to sum up, problem is solved!

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...hread/ddb631864357e47c/?#doc_2e283fc64106de22
pointed me to the solution.

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...hread/ddb631864357e47c/?#doc_2f52c6f56299b3b2
showed how I applied the solution.

So thanks one and all for chipping in on solving this annoying problem.

Best wishes,
Richard