Is it my PC set-up?
Jan 24, 2011, 11:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
Is it my PC set-up?
Since Christmas, I have difficulty loading flyertalk.com.
Often the message "cannot display..." shows up.
A friend of mine thought that the website shut down, which is not the case.
Any advice?
Thanks
Often the message "cannot display..." shows up.
A friend of mine thought that the website shut down, which is not the case.
Any advice?
Thanks
Jan 24, 2011, 11:53 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E50, DL*SM, JMB
Posts: 457
It might come from your browser or from your anti-virus program which is blocking flyertalk.com webpage to load properly.
Best thing would be to run a complete check of your system + run a full defrag of your HDD.
Second, check if something changed in your web browser properties. I don't know which one you use, Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari...
If you still have the same problem, then it's time to do a fresh install. In other words, format your HDD and re-install Windows and everything that comes up with.
Hope this helps.
Best thing would be to run a complete check of your system + run a full defrag of your HDD.
Second, check if something changed in your web browser properties. I don't know which one you use, Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari...
If you still have the same problem, then it's time to do a fresh install. In other words, format your HDD and re-install Windows and everything that comes up with.
Hope this helps.
Jan 24, 2011, 12:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
Vaclav, which browser are you using? Are any other sites giving you trouble?
Jan 24, 2011, 12:05 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
The only other sites giving me trouble beside flyertalk.com are some with .cz
Thanks
Jan 24, 2011, 12:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E50, DL*SM, JMB
Posts: 457
A full OS reload is necessary once a year to ensure that the computer is running properly. Not doing it would mean that the system will become slower every year, and files can become corrupt. If it's an OS X, then it's not necessary...but on a PC running any version of Windows, I would do this. And I'm speaking from experience because I work in this sector.
Jan 24, 2011, 1:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 779
Jan 24, 2011, 2:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*SE MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 3,439
I have been having the same problem with FT (and only with FT) on and off for a few months now on both IE and Firefox. No problems with Chrome. There's a thread in the tech forum about it from a while ago and as I recall it seems to have something to do with the time it takes for the ads to load.
As a result, I've been using Chome a lot lately!
As a result, I've been using Chome a lot lately!
Jan 24, 2011, 4:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
A full OS reload is necessary once a year to ensure that the computer is running properly. Not doing it would mean that the system will become slower every year, and files can become corrupt. If it's an OS X, then it's not necessary...but on a PC running any version of Windows, I would do this. And I'm speaking from experience because I work in this sector.
I haven't done an OS reload in ages. And Mrs tomh009 ran the same Windows XP install on her trusty ThinkPad X31 from 2004 to 2010, when I managed to convince her to upgrade. Yes, I added memory and switched to a bigger, faster disk, but even there the disk was cloned, not rebuilt.
Sure, rebuilds can be done but you'll spend a lot of time rebuilding, reinstalling and reactivating applications.
Jan 24, 2011, 5:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E50, DL*SM, JMB
Posts: 457
I've worked in software development for ages, and have used Windows since the 2.x days (ugh), so I have some experience, too. As long as you are not constantly adding and removing software (which can leave crud behind), it's really not necessary (and apps can leave crud on OS X, too).
I haven't done an OS reload in ages. And Mrs tomh009 ran the same Windows XP install on her trusty ThinkPad X31 from 2004 to 2010, when I managed to convince her to upgrade. Yes, I added memory and switched to a bigger, faster disk, but even there the disk was cloned, not rebuilt.
Sure, rebuilds can be done but you'll spend a lot of time rebuilding, reinstalling and reactivating applications.
I haven't done an OS reload in ages. And Mrs tomh009 ran the same Windows XP install on her trusty ThinkPad X31 from 2004 to 2010, when I managed to convince her to upgrade. Yes, I added memory and switched to a bigger, faster disk, but even there the disk was cloned, not rebuilt.
Sure, rebuilds can be done but you'll spend a lot of time rebuilding, reinstalling and reactivating applications.
Jan 24, 2011, 5:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 162
What version of Internet Explorer? If it is version 6, then upgrade to 7 or 8.
It is quite possibly a DNS problem. First, install Google Chrome or another browser and try again - this is the easiest thing to try. If you have the same problem it is most likely a DNS issue. DNS (domain name service) is the service that translates web addresses into numbers - IP addresses.
Next, go to your Network Settings and see if a specific DNS server is utilized. right click on My Network Places, right click on LAN or Local Area Network (assuming you have a home network), Select Internet Protocol (do not uncheck the checkbox - click on the words), then click Properties. If "Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically" is selected, then the DNS is determined by your internet provider. If "Use the following DNS Server Addresses" is selected, then you are using hardcoded dns servers. If you have to do that, OpenDNS is very good.
If you have a DNS server hardcoded, write it down (always write things down!), then select Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically" and see if the problem goes away. If it does not go away, you can try OpenDNS by putting those addresses in your dns setting (go to their website, sign up for free and they tell you the IP addresses for their DNS). Enter those into the "Use the following DNS server addresses".
Finally, it may be your internet provider's DNS blocking these sites. Contact their support and see what they say. I have run into this in the past. depending on how you get your internet, it could involve multiple parties. It is hard to pinpoint the problem without seeing your laptop.
As mentioned previously, it could be other problems. Malwarebytes is a great program for deteecting and removing malware. I really don't think a complete reinstall is the answer, as that is usually the last resort for fixing a problem.
It is quite possibly a DNS problem. First, install Google Chrome or another browser and try again - this is the easiest thing to try. If you have the same problem it is most likely a DNS issue. DNS (domain name service) is the service that translates web addresses into numbers - IP addresses.
Next, go to your Network Settings and see if a specific DNS server is utilized. right click on My Network Places, right click on LAN or Local Area Network (assuming you have a home network), Select Internet Protocol (do not uncheck the checkbox - click on the words), then click Properties. If "Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically" is selected, then the DNS is determined by your internet provider. If "Use the following DNS Server Addresses" is selected, then you are using hardcoded dns servers. If you have to do that, OpenDNS is very good.
If you have a DNS server hardcoded, write it down (always write things down!), then select Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically" and see if the problem goes away. If it does not go away, you can try OpenDNS by putting those addresses in your dns setting (go to their website, sign up for free and they tell you the IP addresses for their DNS). Enter those into the "Use the following DNS server addresses".
Finally, it may be your internet provider's DNS blocking these sites. Contact their support and see what they say. I have run into this in the past. depending on how you get your internet, it could involve multiple parties. It is hard to pinpoint the problem without seeing your laptop.
As mentioned previously, it could be other problems. Malwarebytes is a great program for deteecting and removing malware. I really don't think a complete reinstall is the answer, as that is usually the last resort for fixing a problem.
Jan 24, 2011, 7:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
Me personally, I think that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
Jan 24, 2011, 7:09 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
I have been having the same problem with FT (and only with FT) on and off for a few months now on both IE and Firefox. No problems with Chrome. There's a thread in the tech forum about it from a while ago and as I recall it seems to have something to do with the time it takes for the ads to load.
As a result, I've been using Chome a lot lately!
As a result, I've been using Chome a lot lately!
