Cannot connect to some websites (2 at present)

Question

I dont know if this is a hardware or software issue, so trying both...

I have two new PC's, purchased on seperate orders, from Dell.
The models are both Dell XPS 210, both pre-installed with Windows Vista Business.
They are both running Internet Explorer Version: 7.0.6000.16386 - Cipher Strength 256-bit - Update Versions:0
Both have user accounts set in the administator group.
They both have McAfee Security Center running in the background, the "Parental Controls" section is disabled.

I also have a PC that is 4 or 5 years old and running Windows XP Home.
This one has Norton Antivirus running in the background.

The three PC's all connect to the Internet via wireless network through a "BT Home Hub" Broadband wireless router.

The nub of my problem is that the new PC's running Vista cannot access some websites, that the olde PC running XP can. The websites, one specifically cannot in any way be though of as one that would be blocked for any reason as it is the website of the UK Courts at www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk Another website is www.bounceclothing.com for both of these sites, IE7 says "Website found. Waiting for reply..." Eventually it times out, yet I can concurrently browse, chat, check and send email, with ample bandwidth to spare.

All Windows Updates have been applied.
IE7 Popup Blocker is turned off, Phishing Filter is disabled, Protected Mode has been turned off. Cookies are allowed. Temporary Files have been deleted. Java(Sun) is installed (works for a chat site i use).
Windows Vista Firewall is off as the McAfee firewall is on.
I have tried dropping the firewall completely, no change;
I have tried resetting the security center to default settings, no change;
I have tried resetting my wireless connection adaptor, also removing the power cable from the PC for several minutes, no change;
I have spoken to "BT Home Hub" support, who state that neither the Home-Hub nor BT as my ISP would be the cause of the block to any website as they don't block these websites.
I have spoken to Dell Support who cannot fathom the problem out, but offered no further ideas, despite me having purchased a support package.
I have tried ipconfig/flushdns which replied "Windows IP Configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache"; still no change.

I have even installed Mozilla-Firefox as a comparison but the problem persists.

If you can help in determining the cause and solution, any help would be greatly appreciated. If the suggestions include anything more complicated than the above, such as checking services or IP details etc, it would help if you explain how, or offer links to pages that explain how to.

Is this Windows Vista blocking sites for no reason or what?

mike3960 · Answer

i have the same issue with www.bell.ca i can conect with my XP but not with vista. maybe vista is too secure?

Lenny_eh · Answer

I have Vista and I just tried bell.ca and it wont load for me either

bumwithshoes · Answer

i just tried bell.ca and connected right away   try turning Protected Mode off in security and see what happens

mike3960 · Answer

thanks for reply i'll give it a try and let you know

Lenny_eh · Answer

tried that as well still wont connnect

mike3960 · Answer

protected mode off made no diffrence for me :smileysad:

Darrell Mandiwa · Answer

Hi Mate I have had the same problem.  I have also spent hours on the phone to Dell who have had control of my PC and they are not able to help.  I have re-installed Windows Vista on Dells recommendation and this has still not worked.  I have been through all the bits that you have been through albeit with Dell in control.  There has been no performance change in my internet connection.   I have also been in consultation with BT and its not their fault either- which makes sense as I also have an XP powered laptop which works fine.   Therefore it must be a Windows Vista problem.  Dells answer to me was to wait for a few months until all relavant Windows Vista patches have been sent out.  Until then sit and wait on a compute that cannot carry out rudimentary procedures?   What do we do now????

croptopmartin · Answer

I as the starter of this thread was given some advice which put me on the right track to the cause and solution.  I am putting this here in case it of use to others.   Log off and restart the PC. You need to go into SAFE MODE, so during restart... When the DELL logo comes up, press F8 and then select SAFE MODE AND NETWORKING Once you are in Safe Mode, try to access those sites again, if you can then it is not the PC nor the connection, instead it is something blocking you.  (In my case the suspect was McAfee Security Center).   So having determined that I could access the sites in Safe Mode, log off and reboot as normal.   Then from START choose RUN and msconfig On the SERVICES tab, disable all McAfee items, (you can re-enable later). Then REBOOT (Bearing in mind that this will leave you with no Firewall or Virus Protection afforded by the McAfee products.   After Reboot, check access to the sites again, if you can access them (as I then could), then this identifies the root of the problem.   NEXT Use msconfig & Services tab to enable (tick) the McAfee items again. Then REBOOT --- Now having confirmed the root of the problem I spent a long time in McAfee chat with a technician, who wanted me to configure part of McAfee with these words... Click on Home Internet & Network Click Configure Click Web Browsing Protection Click Advanced Uncheck Web Bugs and Block Ads. However as I did not have 'Web Browsing Protection' it was then that it was clear that the evaluation copy of the program pre-installed by DELL was missing some components, :smileymad: namely at least Web Browsing Protection  so I had to purchase the full program, then uninstall the evaluation copy of McAfee Security Center, Reboot, then go to my McAfee account again and download/install the full Security Center purchased.   Obviously for a period of time between uninstalling one and installing the new one, I had no Virus/Spam/Hacker/etc protectection and no firewall, but hey all is now well and working top guns with the full version of the McAfee Security Center.   Sure this may have been a change to go for the free stuff mentioned elsewhere, but I prefer not to have to think about it too much, I have better things to do with my time.   Hope this post helps others.  :smileyhappy:

Windows General

Cannot connect to some websites (2 at present)

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