Computer help....please before I go nuts!!!!

[chris.g]

Ok, I'm having problems with connecting to websites....worried I've picked up a pesky virus!!!
I keep getting server errors...both on Firefox and IE. Started yesterday, sometimes it allows access, mostly it gives the 'server not found' error....it's driving me nuts...and believe me I'm close to being nuts anyhow so it won't take much....[:D]
Any help and advice would be great...thanks [:)]

[chris.g]

Could it be that the sites are the problem????

[Viki.W]

Wish I could help but I'm rubbish with computers![V]

[chris.g]

Thanks Viki, I haven't really got a clue with this one....seems that google is badly effected and ebay...when I click on a listing, I get the error...totally baffling!
Don't want to start twiddling and tweeking until I have an idea what it is...the way my luck is I'll accidentally hack into the FBI or something then be in MAJOR TROUBLE...LOL

[PoorbutHappy]

Trend Micros have a online virus / spyware checker - might be worth trying

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/

[kallis3]

Have you got a virus checker Chris? If so, do a scan to see if anything shows up.

If not, I can recommend AVG which is a free one (that's if you can get online that is!)

I presume you have a firewall?

[chris.g]

Got a spyware and an anti-virus, nothing showing...Got me beat, I can get on here and the br site no probs, email and ebay etc no go, just keeps saying server not found.....[:(!]

[sjbyron]

Hi Chris
Im not sure which version of windows you are using, but on your start menu by the clock there will be a little icon with two computer moniters flashing simultaniously if you are using XP or below just say disable if you are using vista say disconnect from.

Now disabled goto the network folder and find the local network connection and right mouse on it, goto properties and tel it to repair, by doing this it will clear its old tranmissions and start again once its done that, then close the network folder.

Right click on the internet explorer on your desktop or open internet explorer and click tools then goto the temporary internet files and tel it to clear them and the same for history if you are using internet explorer 7.0 or higher or vista then it will be an all in one process if not its two seperate processes. Make sure that you clear all cookies too.

Do the same for firefox but this time you have to open firefox and goto options and ask it to clear all private data.

Once done close firefox and internet explorer, reboot the computer, then depending on whether you are using Vista or not, if you are using Vista it will automatically reconnect to the internet via the broadband if not then you have to goto the network folder right mouse on the local are network connection and say enable, hopefully that will all work ok.

Good luck

[Viki.W]

Wow Stu, I think I'll print that off myself incase I have any problems, well done. [:)] X

[chris.g]

Thanks Stu, had to do a restore on it as it failed altogether. What ever it was it seems to be ok now, not sure what I've done to be honest as I reset all the settings, internet and network and it still wouldn't let me connect to server.
Thanks again everyone, hopefully the hissy fit that it's had will be over now and it'll work fine,
xx

[pixie]

wow stu, that beats my play with it till it works scenario!!
Glad you got it sorted Chris, mine drives me nuts when it doesn't want to play!!!

[chris.g]

Thanks H, just got your email. Modern technology is SOOOOOO frustrating when it goes wrong!!!! [xx(]
Birmingham....not sure if I/we'll get. Hubby's job looking very precarious at the mo...bricklayer and construction is going very pear-shaped at the minute..[:(]
Will try my best though, would love to meet you also,
xx

[sjbyron]

Thanx guys for your positive feedback, my A-level in computers and a year of a degree in computer science does come in useful sometimes, I may finish that degree one day. You never know!

[flow13]

Hi Stu, I wish I had done computers now. i did sociology and english as a degree. I now work for an IT team though and I am slowly being trained for greater things. At school I couldn't stand computers, but now, I love them.
Thogh I have found that IT teams seem to be made up more of males than females, so I seem in the minority, but never mind.

[Lord Soth]

I had a problem accessing the internet recently after a Windows security update. I use the free zone alarm which has a very aggressive firewall. Too aggressive unfortunately! Luckily my son is a whizz on computers and he temporarily disabled zone alarm, used the windows firewall in the interim, downloaded the latest zone alarm version, changed a few settings and hey presto, it's working again.