Inability to access a specific website with Vista

Question

I'm posting here in hopes that someone has had a similar problem and can advise me.  I'm not that savvy with computers and don't want to try anything experimental on my own, without guidance...   I just got a inspiron 1501 with Vista to replace  my old inspiron 3800 with Windows 2000.   Two problems I'm having:   1. I volunteer with an animal rescue, and have had no issues with accessing a website called petharbor.com with my old computer.  However, with my new computer, I am able to bring up the home page of the website, get to the second screen, and cannot proceed further, nothing...it just contiually tries to access it with no luck.  After trying this multiple times, I then boot up my old computer, and bring up the same site fully funtionable with no issues with MS 2000.    This has led me to believe that there is some security feature (?) that Vista is implementing that is not allowing me access?  Or am I on the wrong track completely?    Could someone advise me on this.  I do not want to turn off any security feature inadvertly, while I experiment trying to access this, and then run into problems in the future.   2. The other problem I'm having is trying to network my computers together to transfer data.  I'm working with a wireless network.  When my new computer is walking me through the process, it's asking me for a username and password for my old computer.  I have tried multiple entries, but nothing is recognized.  I have probably forgotten the original username and password....although I didn't think so....but is there a way to circumvent this?  If I use a cable instead of the wireless, would I still need to know the username/password of the old computer?  I'm just trying to transfer some word documents and pictures.  I'd appreciate any help on this too.   Thanks so much.

bilbran · Answer

Try this for the web page issue.. . Bring up the IE7 browser in Vista, go to Tools, Internet Options, then click on the advanced tab and scroll almost all the way to the bottom. Make sure "use SSL 2.0 is checked, OK it and close the browser. Reopen it and try your web page. This fixed a similar issue for me.

You might try a network cable to connect the two PCs for the file transfer. It might be easier to get a connection. To reset the administrator password on the first PC, go to Start, then Run and enter control userpasswords2 and hit OK. Highlight the administrator account and then click on reset password and reset it. Then use administrator as the username with the new password you just set. If this still doesn't get you a connection, you might try burning the files on a CD if you have that on the old PC. If not, then find a friend who know about this stuff, buy them lunch and ask for a hand with it. It shouldn't take too much to find a way to transfer the files. For the MS take on this see support.microsoft.com/kb/928634/

Message Edited by bilbran on 02-16-2007 09:35 PM

fendley · Answer

Thank you! I have fought this issue with our company web page - messing with security levels, but this fixed it. I was keeping an XP notebook on my desk for just this reason.

Nanette L. · Answer

Bilbran,  thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for the advice, you were right, 2.0 was not checked, so I did everything you said, and unfortunately it's still not working for me.  I get to the site, enter zip-code, get to the next page, enter selected shelters, and nothing.  Can't get it to bring up the shelter animal listings.  I'm curious if you can access it with your Vista...www.petharbor.com   So far, I have had no problems with any other sites I've tried.   I'm going to try your instructions on transfering my files next...

bilbran · Answer

Yes, I was able to bring up www.petharbor.com and search and bring up a list of pictures of dogs or cats to be adopted in Vista.   You might try to reset the browser settings back to default. Bring up the browser, go to Tools -> Internet Options and first clear out all browsing history and cache by clicking on Delete under 'Browsing' History and then Delete All on the next page. then go into the Advanced tab and click on both buttons at the bottom to reset the Advanced tab back to default and then the other tab to reset all browser settings.   I can't imagine this not enabling that web site to work, but just in case it doesn't, give the FireFox web browser a try. It should work with it.

Nanette L. · Answer

First let me thank you for being such a generous person with your time...you make it very easy for me to follow your directions...so I don't feel like an idiot!    Second, I figured out, with some creativity, how to transfer my files.  Using your help with switching the password, and eventually buying a memory stick too, I didn't have to splurge for dinner.    Third, I'm still not able to access that STUPID site!  :o)  I did the firefox browser too, with no luck.  There has got to be something in my actual security features within my computer (not my browser) not allowing it to bring it up.  The site comes up, I can enter my zip code, I can get to the next window where it asks which shelters to view, and I check the first two (manhatten & brooklyn) and then hit enter....then it just says in the bottom message line 'transferring data from pet harbor' and goes into la-la land, meaning it just stays in that mode.  (sorry, didn't mean to get technical on ya!)    I don't get it. My computer is only a week old...it has no 'added' bells and whistles, just vista, and this is the only website I can't get into.  Any thing else come to mind?  If not, I again REALLY appreciate your help...

bilbran · Answer

Sorry but I can't think of anything else that comes to mind, especially since taking my browser back to a 'default' mode allows the site to work OK.....   Maybe you figured it out by now anyway....

Nanette L. · Answer

Thanks again Bilbran,  I thought you were long gone!  Hahaha.   No, it's still not working for me....for right now I just use my old computer to bring it up.  I'm sure one day  I'll have someone in the house that may have some more ideas.  I'm just not advanced enough to know where to look on my own.  It's probably something really stupid...

newjoy · Answer

Nanette,   Most likely you hit a MTU issue. Your Vista has default MTU setting as auto discovery maximum MTU  and that may not work with your web site.  Here is a link for the problem hit by other users:     http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winvista/1158155937   You can download TCPOptimizer from http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php and use it to change the MTU to a lower value like 1432 for a try. You may need to reboot the system before new setting take effect.

Nanette L. · Answer

Newjoy,   Wow, thanks for the response, I figured by now my question was in the archives!     I still hadn't gotten it fixed, so I was excited to try your advice.  I followed your link and instructions, but when I apply them the computer is giving me a message saying that 'the current user account does not have permission to write to all the necessary Registry hives.  Please login with administrator privileges.'  I have verified that my user account is set up as administrator, so I'm not sure how to get past this.  Any ideas?

Nanette L. · Answer

Newjoy,   Okay, got by the administrator issue by changing some settings.....   Changed the MTU to 1432 and had no luck getting any further on the site...could I change the setting even lower?    Is it just experimental trying to figure out what will give me access?  I don't want to try others if it will inhibit another site....

newjoy · Answer

no need to change the MTU to lower value. Another setting you may add is changing 'MTU discovery' to no.

Nanette L. · Answer

I changed the MTU discovery to 'no' but still no luck.  I still get to the second screen and am able to enter the two shelters I want to search, hit enter, and nothing....sometimes it comes up with 'error on page' but mostly is just keeps searching...   I really appreciate your brain-storming for me....I'm just still stuck in this rut, accessing this site with this computer.  It's frustrating....but  I have my old computer still sitting on my desk just for accessing that site.    Have a great week.    Nanette

Windows General

Inability to access a specific website with Vista

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