problem posting on Microsoft Communities

[Millie]

Hi

For a few days now I have been unable to post a question on the communities
website using my desktop computer which runs Windows XP and IE7. (I'm using a
friend's pc to post this). When I hit 'New' and then 'Question' the screen
flickers but the new question dialogue box doesn't appear. It stays on the
same page. I am presuming it is something to do with IE security settings
even though I haven't made changes lately. Also sometimes when I try to
navigate to one of the forums (specifically 'Windows XP General') I get a
load of red type saying Server error. Does anyone know what might be going
on?

 

[TaurArian]

Try using OE as your reader or something similar - Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions
for Outlook Express
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx


--
====================================
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Australia
====================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
http://taurarian.mvps.org/index.htm
Emails will not be acknowledged - please post to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon


| Hi
|
| For a few days now I have been unable to post a question on the communities
| website using my desktop computer which runs Windows XP and IE7. (I'm using a
| friend's pc to post this). When I hit 'New' and then 'Question' the screen
| flickers but the new question dialogue box doesn't appear. It stays on the
| same page. I am presuming it is something to do with IE security settings
| even though I haven't made changes lately. Also sometimes when I try to
| navigate to one of the forums (specifically 'Windows XP General') I get a
| load of red type saying Server error. Does anyone know what might be going
| on?
| --
| Millie

 

[Millie]

Hi

Thansk for the suggestion. I don't use Outlook Express and I would rather
find the root of the problem and fix it. It seems like using another reader
is a workaround to the problem. This forum is the only one I'm having
difficulties with. Could it be my security settings do you think?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Actually, using Outlook Express is /not/ a workaround...using a web
interface /is/ a workaround. Newsgroups operate according to the NNTP
protocol, and are best followed on a real newsreader, like Outlook Express.

There are other newsreaders that many feel do a better job than OE, but
the truth is that virtually any dedicated newsreader does a better job
than a web interface.

 

[Millie]

Hello Leonard

This is all a bit foreign to me but I'm willing to give it a go! Since I
don't use Outlook Express (and as far as I know it isn't installed on my pc)
is there a useful link to guide me through the steps of using Outlook 2007 as
m reader instead?

However, getting back to my original question (and I'm hoping you will be
able to help me) why is it that I suddenly can't post a question on this site
using my desktop pc? I have no trouble doing it on my laptop or on friends'
pcs. I have been posting for years. Now the dialogue box just doesn't appear.
Is it to do with firewalls or IE security settings?

 

[Leonard Grey]

Outlook Express is part of the Windows XP operating system, and it is
the default newsreader for Outlook. The Outlook Express Help file has
all the instructions you'll need to get started.

I can't help you with your posting issues because I don't use that
woebegone web interface. I imagine Microsoft offers it for people who
are too clueless to know better. That doesn't describe you, Millie.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello Leonard

This is all a bit foreign to me but I'm willing to give it a go! Since I
don't use Outlook Express (and as far as I know it isn't installed on my pc)

Yes, it *is* installed on your computer. It's part of Windows XP, and
you have it, unless you've purposely hacked Windows to get rid of it.

is there a useful link to guide me through the steps of using Outlook 2007 as
m reader instead?

There are no links, useful or otherwise, on how to do this. It can'
t be done. Neither Outlook 2007 or any other version of Outlook has
ever come with the ability to read newsgroups. By default, Outlook
invokes Outlook Express as its newsreader. When you invoke Outlook
Express from Outlook, it reports itself as "Outlook Newsreader," but
it's just Outlook Express running in newsonly mode.

There are many other news readers, and each has its strengths and
weaknesses. I usually recommend that most people get started by using
Outlook Express as their newsreader, for two reasons:

1. They already have it, and it's easy to set up and get started with
it.

2. After they've used it for a while, they are better able to
understand its strengths and weaknesses, as well as what features may
be missing *and * important to them, and then (if they want to) look
for an alternative that keeps its strengths and addresses its
weaknesses as well as adding important features.

As a single example of point 2 above, Outlook Express is a terrible
choice for reading binary newsgroups, but if you don't participate in
binary newsgroups, that lack isn't important to *you*.

However, getting back to my original question (and I'm hoping you will be
able to help me) why is it that I suddenly can't post a question on this site
using my desktop pc? I have no trouble doing it on my laptop or on friends'
pcs. I have been posting for years. Now the dialogue box just doesn't appear.
Is it to do with firewalls or IE security settings?

I can't answer your question (since I don't use the awful web-based
interface to these newsgroups), but perhaps someone else here can. But
my recommendation is the same as TaurArian's and Leonard Grey's:
forget about the web interface and use a newsreader instead. It's a
*far* better way to participate here.

Read here for information on how to set up Outlook Express:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm