I'd fire up a cookie cutter: find /i /v "paypal" < cookies.txt > cookies.# copy cookies.# coookies.txt If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

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Hello again everyone. Just thought I would update you on my situation regarding the Paypal, and now Microsoft, website. First, thank you to everyone who kindly posted replies to this annoying problem. It is much appreciated. This is an updated list of the things that I have tried in order to rectify the problems. 1) I have again purged all my Cookies and Temp Internet files. 2) Have tried using another search engine and browser to open the Paypal and Microsoft sites. 3) I ran the Winsock fix and rebooted my computer. 4) I do not have a wireless connection. 5) Unfortunately, due to myself not being able to currently access the Paypal website, I cannot use the link that XPUser provided. 6) Finally, the only thing I have not tried is the Cookie Cutter although having already deleted my Cookies on several occasions I can't see the Cookie Cutter working. I was just wondering if anyone had any further ideas they could forward to me? Many thanks, Steve

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Are you using AOL or a direct ISP (Comcast, Verizon, Earthlink, etc)? If you are using AOL as you ISP....that is likely the problem, imo. When you said you tried another browser...do you mean that you installed something like Firefox? Regardless....try installing the most recent version of Firefox, if you have not already. Do you have a dial-up or high speed connection? If you have high speed....does it go through a router before connecting to your computer? If so....try connecting the dsl/cable modem directly to your computer then accessing the site. If you are able to try the above: -Turn everything OFF (modem and computer...unplug them both). -Connection the modem directly to your computer. -Turn the modem back on and let it sync. -Boot the computer and try the site again. If this does work....don't remain connected long. Without any kind of firewall and being directly connected to a high speed connection...you are pretty vulnerable. It would simply at least let you know where the problem may be. If this does not work....I'd try to rule out your ISP itself. Connect your computer to another Internet connection altogether, if possible (a friend's house, etc)...or do the other way around.....connect a computer that you KNOW can access the site (it's done it before) to your Internet connection and see if it can access the page (if you have dial-up...that computer would need to connect to the Internet via you ISP). Hopefully one of these will work. If not, you'll at least know that the issue is with the Windows OS and somewhere else. > PLEASE CONTRIBUTE to Computing.net - Report back what did/didn't work for others' reference.<

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5) Unfortunately, due to myself not being able to currently access the Paypal website, I cannot use the link that XPUser provided. Not a problem at all. I'll reproduce here for you what the links said. ===================================== Under Why am I getting a page cannot be displayed error?: If you are receiving the error message page cannot be displayed or "page cannot be found while attempting to access your account", it may be because your web browser's security level is set too low. For maximum security, you should upgrade to a version of Netscape or Microsoft web browser that supports 128-bit encryption. To view your browser security level, follow these steps: For Microsoft Internet Explorer: 1. Open your Internet Explorer browser and select Help from the toolbar. 2. Select About Internet Explorer. 3. On the About Internet Explorer window, you will be given a version number and a cipher strength (encryption rate) 4. If your cipher strength is less than 128-bit, please click the Update Information link. This will direct you to the Microsoft web site to upgrade your browser. You will also need to check the browser settings by following these steps: 1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and open Internet Options. 2. Click the Advanced tab, scroll to the bottom of the scroll window. 3. Ensure that Use SSL 2.0, Use SSL 3.0 and Use TLS 1.0 place a check in the checkbox next to each of these options. For Netscape Communicator or Navigator: 1. Click Help and then About Communicator (or Navigator). 2. In the window that opens, look for a section on RSA security. (If this section reads, "This version supports U.S. security", then your browser supports 128-bit encryption.) 3. Otherwise, it will indicate you have an export version, which only supports 40-bit. (Further details are also available by clicking on Security on the Navigator toolbar.) 4. If you need to upgrade your Netscape browser, go to http://home.netscape.com and click the Download graphic at the top of the page. Note: For other web browsers, view your help files for more information about upgrading to a newer version. Double-check that the time and date on your computer are correct by following these steps: 1. Click the Windows Start button located in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. 2. Scroll up to Settings and click Control Panel . 3. Double-click Date/Time. 4. Make sure the date and time are correct. This should resolve the issue. Note: If the cipher strength is already set to 128 bit, you will need to clear your cookies. ===================================== Under Why do I get a "page cannot be displayed" error using AOL with PayPal?: If you are using AOL with PayPal and receive the error message "page cannot be displayed", the error is likely attributed to the AOL web browser's security level being set too low. To determine if the error is occurring in an AOL browser, connect to AOL and minimize the AOL browser. Once the AOL browser is minimized, open an alternate browser (one should already be loaded on the computer), either Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator or Communicator, and log in to your PayPal using the alternative browser. If problems continue, please review the Help or About information for the version and cipher strength of the browser. If the website is timing out at 39% or receiving the error message "page cannot be displayed", upgrade the browser to 128-bit encryption strength (AOL 6.0 and higher). For Internet Explorer: 1. Click Help and About to review the amount of encryption currently installed on your browser. This is generally termed in this screen as Cipher Strength. 2. If the level is less than 128-bit encryption, click Update Information within the Help window and you will be directed to the upgrade page. This upgrade will only take a few minutes. You will also need to check your browser settings: 1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and then open Internet Options 2. Select Advanced and scroll to the bottom of that window 3. Ensure that 'Use SSL 2.0', 'Use SSL 3.0' and 'Use TLS 1.0' are checked as Enabled. If these are not enabled, check the box next to each of these options =================================== Hope this helps i_XpUser

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I think kev100 is on the scent. Just for grins, try: ping paypal.com If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

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Hi guys, Still no luck with this problem unfortunately. Many thanks, Steve

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Which of the above items have you tried? What were the results? > PLEASE CONTRIBUTE to Computing.net - Report back what did/didn't work for others' reference.<

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Hi kev100, I'm still waiting for the results of the ping. If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

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Maybe he'll follow up....it's an internesting problem. I suppose we'll just talk amongst ourselves. Anyways.... I had a very similar issue with a credit card site once. All other sites would load...no problem. Even other credit card sites that used the same type of encryption. But that one site....the error I got was not even issued by that site. It was the same error you get if you have NO Internet connect - just that generic "cannot access" default page. I knew it had to be something with the onsite connection b/c the computer could be plugged into a drop via a patch cable and it would pull it fine. So....suspecting the wireless nic (it was a usb 802.11b connecting to an 802.llg router)...I simply replaced it with a G, and boom...pulled it like a dream. Why was this the case? Who knows. One would think that it had something to do with the heavy encryption of the site...but then...why would all other bank and credit card sites with heavy encryption work fine? It's still a mystery...but at least no longer a problem. > PLEASE CONTRIBUTE to Computing.net - Report back what did/didn't work for others' reference.<

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Hi everyone, Apologies for not replying sooner. I am still having the same problem with the Paypal and Microsoft websites at this current time. To reiterate, it only seems to be highly secure websites that are being affected. I have tried everything that has been sugested to date. I am pretty sure it wouldn't be my Internet connection because I am the only one in my house that is online at the moment and so cannot see any possible router problems. Just to repeat for anyone that may not know how I've been trying to conquer the annoying problem, I have also checked my Cipher strength and Internet security settings and they are fine. I have also cleared my cache several times. I used to do this before and Paypal still worked so I am still at a loss as to what is causing this problem. Please could anyone else forward anymore possible solutions that I could try. Many thanks, Steve

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So...are you saying that you do NOT have a router between your cable/dsl modem and your computer? If you do NOT have a router.....reboot your computer into safe mode....but select Safe Mode WITH NETWORKING. Try to access the site in that mode with the cable/dsl modem connected DIRECTLY to your computer (not through a router). ALSO.....connect to your BANK'S web site....or some other site (credit card site, etc) that uses HEAVY encryption. If you have already tried to above process...exactly.....and CAN access ALL OTHER sites EXCEPT Paypal....then the only other suggestion I have (if you have not already) is to connect your computer to different ISP - not just a different location...but a different COMPANY altogether (at a friend's house, at work, etc) and try again. If you are still not getting that ONE site...but CAN get all others.....AND another computer CAN access the site you need from that SAME connection that you just tried....it's time to reformat and start afresh. ...but, keep in mind...you HAVE to actually DO these test procedures....even if they don't "seem like" they are an issue. It's the only way to work through a mysterious problem...the process of elimination. > PLEASE CONTRIBUTE to Computing.net - Report back what did/didn't work for others' reference.<

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Hi kev100, Thank you for your reply. You are correct that I am not running my computer through a router. I just have the modem connected to my computer and then this is connected straight to the 'splitter' phone socket in the wall. I will try what you have suggested and get back to you. Thanks for all your help with this annoying issue. Many thanks, Steve

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Hi guys, Just an update on the attempted problem-solving. I downloaded Firefox and tried to access Paypal from this browser but the same result as before has been occurring. The Page Cannot Be Shown command is still returned. Many thanks, Steve

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Hi again, Have also run C-Cleaner (Crap Cleaner) and the latest edition of Ad-Aware but this has still not solved the niggling issue!! Many thanks, Steve

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Hi again, I have now undertaken the task of turning everything off and then on again (including un-connecting and re-connecting the modem) as stated by kev100. The site still does not work unfortunately. Have emailed Paypal now and so will await any response they hopefully give. Many thanks, Steve

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Anyone still about? Many thanks, Steve

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One other thing you could try is using a proxy. Try a site like http://anonymouse.org/ and see if you are able to view the sites. It won't really solve your problem but might be a temporary solution.

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hey guys just had a customer with this problem and tried a few of your issues. Found out when he tried to ping paypal it came back saying 127.0.0.1 ! So checked around and there's a virus going about for this where it blocks sites like Microsoft and Norton and Amazon and eBay. The Norton fix can be found here http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.zotob.a.html with a removal tool included (warning this site may be blocked too !!). Hope this helps.

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That's why I said what i did in #11 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

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Hi again guys, I've run out of options! I ran the Symantec fix for the Zotob Worm but nothing has changed unfortunately. Many thanks, Steve

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Ok - After a great deal of determination and searching, I have finally cracked it (I think!). I can now view both the Paypal and Microsoft websites again - At last! How? Well I have found a programme called PageFix. This is available at http://www.fixieonline.com/pagefix. Can't believe this issue is finally solved. Hope everyone else who has the same PayPal problem can now get it sorted. Many thanks, Steve

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Wow! It works! I went through the exact same problems as experienced on this thread. I new it was computer related because other computer from the same LAN accesses PayPal no problem. I've never had such a stupid and tenacious problem. Downloaded Pagefix and the problem magically disappeared as mysteriously as it appeared. Thank you for sharing your research and updates.

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i have been experiencing the same problems and have tried all of the above, but it's still not working. I doubt anyone will have anymore suggestions, but if you don't ask, you don't get!! PLEASE HELP!!

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I am also experiencing the same problem but only with the computer upstairs which is connecting to the internet through a shared connection from this pc which is shared by a router. Jut wondered if anybody knew a solution to this problem. TrooPDoG

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dont worry guys, i have a solution. i had exactly the same problem. here is the fix... Open the hosts file from your windows directly and delete all the entries except 127.0.0.1 localhost. then you should be able to access paypal , microsoft sites. I am not sure what caused corruption of this hosts file, some malicious code may have been the cause. but this fixes the problem... raghvendrabali@yahoo.com

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