Posted on 08/21/2019 2:49:43 PM PDT by Apple Pan Dowdy
Yes, we have turned off and on bunches of time. This is going on for two weeks and she reboots each morning.
First try resetting your windows “Host” file. There are slightly different ways you can do this. In the middle link you can download the file and replace the old one with it. Or you can create your own new host file as per direction.
https://www.top-password.com/blog/reset-hosts-file-back-to-default-in-windows-10/
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-set-the-windows-7-hosts-file-back-to-default
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/972034/how-to-reset-the-hosts-file-back-to-the-default
If that does not work then:
Do you have a separate WI_FI router or do you have a modem from the cable company with built in WI-FI?
If the router is separate than try taking it out of the loop and connecting the computer directly to the modem. In the past I had a router that was blocking certain websites.
You could also find out the web address to enter into your browser to access the router menu. Use it to do a hard reset on the router settings and check for firmware updates.
And there is a host file in windows that could be corrupted in some way.
So sorry I took so long to get to all your suggestions. Crazy long hard day today. And yes, Mom is 91 and been a FR member since before the Clinton years. She doesn’t post much, but she reads it all.. she knows a lot of freezers from 3 free per cruises and this site is a big part of her life. I’m even thinking about reinstalling hard drive on her computer to see if that fixes it. We are getting desperate.
You might want to check your Internet Options (in Control Panel) security settings, to make sure it is not set higher than Medium-High.
Also, you may want to read the contents of your host file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc) to see it someone put FR in it, which would prevent access.
If you can connect via Ethernet versus wireless, you might try installing a live version of Linux on a USB drive, and boot from that (tapping the F12 on Dell PCs after you power the PC on may bring up a boot menu to choose from; otherwise do so in the BIOS - F2).
If you cannot connect to FR under that OS then you know the problem is most likely not the provider, but is likely something about the OS.
Good suggestion.... but can I install Opera on her Microsoft PC? I know Apple has a built in VPN, but didn’t think we could access it.
Have you tried different browsers?
AOL is not her provider. She uses cable from our local internet provider , Comporium. SHe just uses AOL as her browser because she has used it for so many years she is so used to it and can remember how to use it.
Yes, Opera works with Windows operating systems.
Thanks, Daniel1212. All of your suggestions are things I have not tried yet and I will do them tomorrow. I am sort of brain dead tonight, and too tired to drive back into town to Mom’s apartment tonight.
Something else to try:
Firewalls can sometimes be set to block certain websites.
Temporally turn off windows Firewall/Defender
Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
Since you said that Opera will work on a windows system, then I’ll try that tomorrow when I can get Vick over to Mom’s apartment. Thanks.
Thanks, Robert. But have tried all on your list.
I forgot the link on how to turn off the firewall:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028544/windows-10-turn-windows-defender-firewall-on-or-off
Can’t hurt. Opera is just another browser but it has some neat features. I think the free VPN is great.
My Apple also says not secure!!!
Thanks, Revel. I try the host file replace suggestion when I can get back over to Mom’s. Not sure I know how to do it, but I’ll give it a try, it’s a good idea.
About her router.... it’s a combination router / modem that the cable company provides. I’ll call them back and see if they can help me do your suggestions.
Ooooo, I did try disabling her Norton firewall to see if that helped, but forgot all about the windows firewall.... will try that. Thanks.
Get some rest. Tomorrow is another day. So glad you checked in! Have been hanging out over with a group similar to the ,Daily dose Will ping you and mom to it.
Signing off for tonight...... I’m turning into a pumpkin. For us 72 year olds, 9:00 is the new midnight. I’ll be back tomorrow. thanks to all of you FREEPERS are the BEST!!!!!
Good deal. It is obvious from what you said that your problem is a little bit deeper than the most simple things that someone can try. Yet the problem might be easier to solve than doing a fresh install of windows.
You know also that if it is possible to try a different computer at your moms location(Hardwired with Ethernet cable)
Or try you moms computer at a different location. Depending on the results then this would narrow things down a bit. Using a laptop with an Ethernet port at your moms location would be very simple if you have access to one. If that worked then you would know the problem is your moms computer for sure.
Also if you have any third party Virus software then you also want to try turning them off on a temporary basis.
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