Win98 Internet Explorer 6 web site restrictions on broadband

[Mr T 2007]

Hi all, I have a very strange problem: I am running win98 (first edition) and internet explorer 6 on a PC. After having no problems for a few years, I suddenly find that I now cannot access certain web sites using Orange broadband. I can access Google, two of my bank accounts, the Answer Bank, and several other sites, but I cannot access hotmail, yahoo, my creditcard sites, my main bank account, uk street map and many more - the web pages will not open. However, if I switch from broadband to dial up, then all web pages can be accessed, and the problem has gone! I have connected my Orange broadband modem to my Mac, and the Mac can access all sites with no problems, so I'm pretty sure that it is not my broadband modem that is at fault. If I go to "internet options" - "security", I cannot adjust any settings, as the "custom levels" and Default Levels" are greyed out, is this normal? Could this be part of the problem? Also, I am running AVG free edition anti-virus, there seems to be a limited amount of settings on it, but even if I quit the whole programme the problem is still there. I upgraded from IE 5.5 to IE 6 to see if this would solve the problem, and also tried using Firefox web browser, but the problem is still there. I tried accessing hotmail through the megaproxy web site, and (after a short while) it came up with this message: "JavaScript required to sign in Windows Live ID requires JavaScript to sign in. This web browser either does not support JavaScript, or scripts are being blocked. To find out whether your browser supports JavaScript, or to allow scripts, see the browser's online help." Sadly, this doesn't mean anything to me, as my technicle knowledge is not great. But is this my problem? If so, what can I do? I would appreciate any help or advice that anyone has to offer. Many thanks.

[poinsy]

A rather strange problem I must say. Firstly, is this sorted now? If not, I think we need more info; when you say the pages will not open, how exactly? Do you get the Page Not Found error? It could be a timeout possibly.

Not quite sure whether the Javascript issue is the culprit, most sites these days tend to use Javascript to some degree, however, some use it totally and without it enabled, a site can appear blank. However, this wouldn't explain why a particular site displays correctly via dial-up, and incorrectly via broadband.

I would be more likely to suspect this megaproxy site......

[Mr T 2007]

Hi Poinsy
No, the problem is not sorted.
When I try to open certain pages this is the message I can:

The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:

Click the Refresh button, or try again later.

If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.

To check your connection settings, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Connections tab, click Settings. The settings should match those provided by your local area network (LAN) administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).
If your Network Administrator has enabled it, Microsoft Windows can examine your network and automatically discover network connection settings.
If you would like Windows to try and discover them,
click Detect Network Settings
Some sites require 128-bit connection security. Click the Help menu and then click About Internet Explorer to determine what strength security you have installed.
If you are trying to reach a secure site, make sure your Security settings can support it. Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section and check settings for SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, PCT 1.0.
Click the Back button to try another link.

Cannot find server or DNS Error
Internet Explorer
_______________________________

Most of this I can check, but annoyingly the microsoft website link for "Detect Network Settings", is one of the sites my brower will not open! (how's your luck?)

it would be nice to elimintae if it is a java

[Mr T 2007]

It would be nice to elimintae if this is a Java problem, but in my "security" tab, I cannot looking into the "custom levels" as they are greyed out. Any ideas how to un-grey this? Thanks

[poinsy]

Bit of a long shot, but you could try repairing the IE installation. It would typically be under Control Panel/Add Remove Programs, then select the Modify Windows Components option and try to repair IE.

Paul

[Mr T 2007]

Hi Paul
Yes I did try repairing IE, to no avail. The good news is that I have managed to un-grey the custom and default buttons in security, but sadly no matter what I adjust, I still cannot get into certain sites, ie hotmail & yahoo.

[MissBoots]

I know this an old question, but how did you solve the problem? (if you have!) I am having exactly the same difficulties and would love to know what to do!
Many thanks.