General Discussions

**drgeorgep** · 12-23-2007, 04:36 PM

Hi ... am not positive this thread fits here, but tho't I'd give it a try.

My IE7 abruptly stopped working. Each time I try to use IE7, a HTTP 404 Error occurs. IE7 doesn't seem to connect to the web. FireFox, an old Mozilla and NetScape all work fine.

I noticed the IE7 problem when trying to publish from FrontPage, and the program couldn't connect.

Only time IE7 works is when I test a url in the browser, which doesn't require a web connection.

I un- and re-installed IE7, did a clean boot, talked with Microsoft and my host. Nada in all instances.

Any ideas about what's what?

Any way to switch FrontPage from IE to FireFox or another browser?

Need help, asap, as site is languishing for lack of new content.

Thanks, in advance.

**fastreplies** · 12-23-2007, 04:40 PM

It looks like your IE is in Offline mode

Yes, you are in wrong forum

fastreplies

**drgeorgep** · 12-23-2007, 05:09 PM

Hi ... thanks for the tip; first time anyone suggested "Off Line Mode."

Checked IE7 > Tools > Off Line is not checked.

Is there any other location, in IE7, where off line might be triggered?

BTW: not so far off, posting problem here, as I received a quick, sane, plausible response. Thanks.

Where should I post regarding this problem?

Thanks.

**serandfae** · 12-23-2007, 05:10 PM

I'd say fastreplies has answered your question already, but you can post future questions like this in the Computer Forum, which is in the same group as General Discussions.

**fastreplies** · 12-23-2007, 07:45 PM

Try to do a system restore to a time before it started doing this

fastreplies

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-23-2007, 09:35 PM

You should also check your proxy settings (Tools-->Options-->Connections-->LAN Settings). If you have any proxy settings, uncheck them/disable them and then try.

**drgeorgep** · 12-23-2007, 11:43 PM

Hi ... thanks for the on-going advice. Adam suggested checking for and removing proxy addresses, under LAN. I did as he advised and IE7 seems to work, well, so far. I've no idea where the proxy address came from, but it's gone. If this doesn't hold, I'll try to restore system to a date, when all worked. Thanks for all the help. Seasonal Tidings.

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-24-2007, 12:06 AM

Yeah, I have been known to get the odd problem right when it pertains to a computer.

Often times, proxy addresses are assigned by wonky modems or proxy software. If you have one of the new SpeedStream 4200 modems that Bell assigns their customers for example (noticed you were in Canada), the modem may also be acting as a router and might (although this is a REAL longshot) have assigned the proxy settings based on IE's default of "Automatically detect proxy settings" being checked from that same LAN settings area.)

This is one of the many reasons I put an actual router (among other gizmos that I won't reveal) between any modem an ISP supplies and even a single computer...I don't want an ISP screwing with browser settings.

**ewomack** · 12-24-2007, 12:43 AM

A Microsoft product that suddenly stops working!?!!?? This must be the FIRST TIME!!!!

**CSS4Life** · 12-24-2007, 05:54 AM

Great it's working now

I was thinking the same as Adam and would have replied about changing the Internet settings to the correct ones.

You mentioned about switching browsers (I assume you mean the default browser) to another. If you want to do this, open up Firefox, go to Tools and then Options. On the main tab here, make sure that "Always check to see if Firefox is the default browser" is checked and then click "Check now". You'll be prompted to then click "Yes" to change Firefox to your default web browser in place of IE7. This means that whenever you click a link anywhere, Firefox will be opened instead of IE7 (MSN seems to be the only exception to this rule).

Dan

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-25-2007, 01:25 PM

ewomack: I wouldn't blame IE in this particular instance, if the root cause of the problem is what I think it is (i.e a rogue ISP).

*** SPECULATION TO FOLLOW. NOT TO BE TAKEN AS FACT, BUT MERE SUPPOSITION ***

For those of you who can remember back to the mid-90s when AOL used to alter TCP/IP stacks and the only way to switch to another ISP would be to uninstall/reinstall TCP/IP from a Windows 95/98 CD, it's a similar concept (do they still do this? Does anyone know?) In this particular case, however, it's even sillier since the ISP is altering proxy settings that do not need to be touched in order for the connection to work. The average user isn't going to be aware of it, and if the user ever switched to a different ISP and found it didn't work (because of proxy settings being retained), then back they go to the original ISP with the "ISP #2 sucks because it doesn't work" commentary.

Again, just a thought on my part...I usually disable automatic proxy server detection in IE because it's unnecessary without so much as a second thought.

**ForrestCroce** · 12-25-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewomack

A Microsoft product that suddenly stops working!?!!?? This must be the FIRST TIME!!!!

This isn't going to be a popular opinion ... but Microsoft's products, like plenty of others, are powerful and configurable. SQL injection attacks are possible against SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, even Access, because you can run the queries that make sense in your application; not because all of the database engines are fundamentally flawed in the same manner.

It would be like blaming a car accident on the fact that a person was driving a Ford, and not that they drove into a tree. Having steering wheels makes that possible.

Now I'm not a Microsoftie, I don't even use IE except for the very small number of sites that require it and give enough value to still use. But in fairness, any browser can be taken offline by bad proxy settings.

**jamestl2** · 12-25-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForrestCroce

Now I'm not a Microsoftie,

You're NOT?!? I figured MS had a powerful influence over your thoughts due to the fact that you live so close to their HQ

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForrestCroce

I don't even use IE except for the very small number of sites that require it and give enough value to still use. But in fairness, any browser can be taken offline by bad proxy settings.

TBH, the only things I use IE for are installing the toolbars I use once in a while (Google, Stumble, etc.) That way when I open up my primary browser (FF), they aren't there to annoy me.

**ForrestCroce** · 12-25-2007, 03:53 PM

I guess they probably have some influence ... most of the companies out here run MS shops. From BizTalk to Great Plains, then ASPX and SQL Server ... there are more jobs wanting these skills out here. It pays to know them well enough to sit at a desk and make things work. But then outside the job site, I don't even use Word or Excel.

**drgeorgep** · 12-30-2007, 02:41 AM

Hi Adam ... yes, router between SpeedStream 4200 and my desk top; others are WiFi. The Bell qua Sympatico fiasco caused so many other problems, I'll break down and cry, if I have to remember. Only good thing, got about one year of service for free. Ugh. Happy New Year.