My problem with some shopping links

[arob414]

Last year, before I had issues with my laptop not being able to access the 'net, I had issues with not being able to access certain shopping sites thru SR. Off the top of my head, I can't remember if I was ever able to figure out the problem, however I could access the sites from DD12's computer. So, I know it is something to do with my laptop and its setting. An example is when I click on BestBuy, I get this msg:

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage

Most likely causes:
You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address.

What you can try:
Diagnose Connection Problems

More information

This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including:

Internet connectivity has been lost.
The website is temporarily unavailable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) is not reachable.
The Domain Name Server (DNS) does not have a listing for the website's domain.
If this is an HTTPS (secure) address, click Tools, click Internet Options, click Advanced, and check to be sure the SSL and TLS protocols are enabled under the security section.

ETc, ETC, ETC

I changed the advanced settings and none of the other things are an issue. I am pretty sure that it is tied to whichever crediting site those SR goes thru to collect whatever they collect to know I shopped there. I hope this makes sense. Other sites I can't get to are 1-800-Contacts, Coffee for Less and more. I can get to Drugstore.com, Circuit City, In the Swim and more. Strangely enough, I rarely have problems with the freebies, but I can't get to the YouPet.com site. I have tried it numerous times, thought it was just down until I started trying to do some shopping and remembered I had previously had this problem.

I THINK I just need to make some change that allows these sites thru. Any help would be appreciated. Currently, I am running ZoneAlarm (Free) and AVG. I use CC, AdAware and Advanced Windows Care, prn. DD12 has Comcast's McAffee but I stopped using it, a couple months ago. It may have been giving me internet access issues, and it maynot have been but it is SLOW.

Any help would be appreciated, by me, not necessarily by checking acct.:D

[Hedy]

Have you tried resetting your router? That works for me when I'm having DNS issues.

[arob414]

Have you tried resetting your router? That works for me when I'm having DNS issues.

I think I have done this but will try, again. Thing is there is no problem on DD12's puter. But, I prefer my laptop.

[LauraLea]

I have had this problem since Day 1 on SR. Shoebuy.com and Bealles are 2 that I can think of as well as several others. I have tried everything I can think of to correct it. When I got on line at WDW last month I had the same problem. That aleast told me it was not my connection, but some stupid setting on that computer.

I can connect using the desktop at home or my work computer. i just shop on my laptop for what I want and then go to another computer to order it.

Laura

[mollyeilis]

I wasn't doing SR when I had Zone Alarm, but I remember *hating* it. I had such problems getting to my normal, safe, happy sites.

[sunshinecindy]

What about trying different browsers too.

[StitchandPooh'smom]

I am never able to connect to Shoemall. Not sure why, but it never works for me. Fortunately Shoebuy usually has what I need! :clap: But it is strange anyway, so I am curious to know what solution you find, OP.

[cglaura]

Did you check to make sure there are no sites in IE's blocked list?

(Tools, Internet Options, Privacy Tab on top, Sites Button)

[arob414]

What about trying different browsers too.

I have the same problem with FireFox.


Did you check to make sure there are no sites in IE's blocked list?

(Tools, Internet Options, Privacy Tab on top, Sites Button)

I have checked that, also.

Thru FireFox, and maybe IE, I am able to go up to Tools and see page info. That led me to looking at some of those sites, very closely, at the links associated with the SR page that would lead me to them. In one I found something (can't remember, I am also cleaning house) that lead me to Commission Junction and talked about opt out. I don't remember how I did it, but a long time ago, I used to go to a website and opt out of places that were known for their cookies. I don't remember how I did it and seems like I would lose the settings when I did something or other. But, that was a long time ago and I bet somewhere along the line I have opted out of those particular sites that track for those companies. I am still investigating. I am notorious for experimenting with my computer, alot more so than my sister with a degree in computers and nearly 25 yrs experience. I can usually get myself out of the jams I make it just may take me awhile.

[LauraLea]

I am notorious for experimenting with my computer, alot more so than my sister with a degree in computers and nearly 25 yrs experience. I can usually get myself out of the jams I make it just may take me awhile.

Please, when you figure it out, let me know.

Laura

[arob414]

Please, when you figure it out, let me know.

Laura

Finally, I have my problem fixed. I think. Apparently, some of the spyware I have used over the past year changed my "host" file and was blocking various sites that SR uses to collect their commissions. Those sites are not bad sites but they were still be blocked. I googled and googled. Several sites told me how to open my hosts file and make changes, but I couldn't find the exact texts that I needed to delete. However, the last site I found gave me another choice for making edits and it worked. I am pasting the instructions, you can use either:

Hosts File
If you or another program (Usually Kazaa Lite) have added web sites to block by changing a special file called hosts, you may have blocked access to some servers we use to help you SAVE money.

Open 'My Computer' or 'Windows Explorer' then navigate to the following directory and filename:

Windows 95/98/ME: c:\windows\hosts
Windows XP Home/Pro: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Windows NT or 2000: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Also, check: c:\windows\help or c:\winnt\help
(Some spyware changes the default location to these locations.)
1.Highlight the file, hit F2 to change its name from Hosts to Hosts.bak, then try the links again.

2.Alternately your can open the Hosts file with a text editor like Notepad. You can open the HOSTS file by right-clicking on hosts and selecting "open with". Then select Notepad.

Ensure the following lines are not present in the file by removing the entire line if present:

service.bfast.com
click.linksynergy.com
clickserve.cc-dt.com
commission-junction.com
cj.com
www.qksrv.net
www.kqzyfj.com
www.tkqlhce.com
www.jdoqocy.com
www.dpbolvw.net
Popup ads do not originate from these servers. These are gateways to major online stores to enable all discounts to load. A popup blocking program works better than playing with this file.

I kept trying to do the 2nd choice (that is the one that I found in several places) but the 1st was the easiest and it is working. Hurray!:party::banana::cooldance::clap:

[askomsky]

Gay you are my hero! lol I'm so glad I read this thread the day you posted it. I had to go back to the desktop bc the laptop is fried and I Had some issues with getting survey's etc (back in Nov) so I switched to the laptop. Now that it wasn't working anymore I came back to the desktop. Everything would work but a few (Tricia informed me commission junction) sites. I couldn't get to shoebuy, newegg etc.

This trick (no# 1) worked!

I did look into no#2 but that was a huge file in notepad and I didn't have the patience to go through the whole list! :)

Thanks again!

[SunshineGirl]

Gay you are my hero! lol I'm so glad I read this thread the day you posted it. I had to go back to the desktop bc the laptop is fried and I Had some issues with getting survey's etc (back in Nov) so I switched to the laptop. Now that it wasn't working anymore I came back to the desktop. Everything would work but a few (Tricia informed me commission junction) sites. I couldn't get to shoebuy, newegg etc.

This trick (no# 1) worked!

I did look into no#2 but that was a huge file in notepad and I didn't have the patience to go through the whole list! :)

Thanks again!

Yea!! I'm so glad that it worked. And of all of the sites listed in her number 2 solution, 80% of them are Commission Junction links. So that would make sense why those were not working for you.

[LauraLea]

Oh Oh Oh, I just saw this. I cannot wait to get home a try it out!!!!!

Got to go to the airport tonight to pick up DS. But as soon as I can, I am going to give this a try.

Laura

[arob414]

Gay you are my hero! lol I'm so glad I read this thread the day you posted it. I had to go back to the desktop bc the laptop is fried and I Had some issues with getting survey's etc (back in Nov) so I switched to the laptop. Now that it wasn't working anymore I came back to the desktop. Everything would work but a few (Tricia informed me commission junction) sites. I couldn't get to shoebuy, newegg etc.

This trick (no# 1) worked!

I did look into no#2 but that was a huge file in notepad and I didn't have the patience to go through the whole list! :)

Thanks again!

Thank you! I only hope if and when this happens, again, I remember how I fixed it. I try to make notes when I fix something, but I can't always find them. :rotfl: Somewhere down the line, I am going to buy new laptops from Dell and I want the shopping credits.

[LauraLea]

THANK YOU!!!! :thanks:

:banana: :banana: :banana:

It worked. I have had this problem since I joined SR last August. Now I can shop when I want and not have to figure out when and where I can get to a computer that will work for me.

:party:

Laura

[kimntrent]

i think I am dense. When you are in system 32 and you click on host my pops up a black screen. I change that name?

[askomsky]

i think I am dense. When you are in system 32 and you click on host my pops up a black screen. I change that name?

Are you on Windows XP? It makes a difference what system your on.
I have XP so I went to system 32 --> drivers --> etc--> and the host file was in there. It depends on what operating system your on.

you don't need to open the host file, right click the file and select rename, then just add the .bak to the end of it.