Having to refresh every web page

[neil.smithjones]

Hi,

I'm using the version of IE6 that installs with XP SP2.

For the past few days (I've not previously had this problem) I've been
having to refresh every web page I try to access. Typing any URL (or
clicking a link) initially returns a "page cannot be found" error, but
clicking on Refresh will then cause the page to load OK.

While the error is happening, I've also noticed from the status bar
that the browser is retrying all sorts of "near miss" combinations of
the website. For example, if I was trying to load "www.abc.com", it
would try "www.abc.org", "www.abc.net"... and even desperate
combinations like "www.abc.com.com".

I don't think there is a problem with my DSL connection because email,
file downloads and peering facilities are all working normally.

Any ideas? This feels like some kind of DNS problem but I'm not that
savvy when it comes to this level of networking!

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

Hi,

I'm using the version of IE6 that installs with XP SP2.

For the past few days (I've not previously had this problem) I've been
having to refresh every web page I try to access. Typing any URL (or
clicking a link) initially returns a "page cannot be found" error, but
clicking on Refresh will then cause the page to load OK.

While the error is happening, I've also noticed from the status bar
that the browser is retrying all sorts of "near miss" combinations of
the website. For example, if I was trying to load "www.abc.com", it
would try "www.abc.org", "www.abc.net"... and even desperate
combinations like "www.abc.com.com".

I don't think there is a problem with my DSL connection because email,
file downloads and peering facilities are all working normally.

Any ideas? This feels like some kind of DNS problem but I'm not that
savvy when it comes to this level of networking!

I think you're probably right.
But the reason you get all those trials is because
search from the Address bar is enabled
and because you aren't using a protocol prefix on your URLs.
(E.g. they would not happen when you click on a link,
only when you type something in the Address bar without
including a protocol prefix too.)

So you could reduce the impact of a deficient DNS
either by always using a protocol prefix
or by disabling search from the Address bar
(e.g. in Options, Advanced tab, Search... section)

Another possibility is that you are seeing symptoms
of a non-transparent search service (aka broken spyware).
E.g. the first request could be going to the spyware site
but either because it is down or unable to service all requests
the first request fails, then the client side of the spyware
would permit the Refresh to connect to the originally requested
site instead of redirecting it to the spyware site. Etc.

In order to check on that possibility you would have to
use a tracer. In fact, I have wondered if spyware would
inhibit itself if it detected that tracing was active,
thus providing the user with a (cumbersome) circumvention.

Cheers,
Neil

HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
---

 

[Analowl]

Thanks Robert, I'll investigate these suggestions and let you know how
I get on. Spybot and MS Anti-Spyware both tell me my system is clean,
but...

Rgds,
Neil

 

[Analowl]

An update... I previously had AVG anti-virus, Spybot Search and
Destroy, and Microsoft Anti-Spyware loaded. Between them they were
claiming my system was totally clean. Just to be sure, I installed the
full ZoneAlarm suite a few days ago and on the first scan it detected
and removed half a dozen spyware components.
Since then, web browsing has been perfect - the original problem has
completely gone. Coincidence...? Or does it prove that you really
need to rely on a mix of security products to get full protection?