Why can't I connect to Microsoft Updates and some other websites?

[Jacqueline]

Hello to all you nice people. I have a Dell Inspiron Notebook w/WinXp Home Edition. I can't connect to certain websites eg; Msupdates, Techtv.com, Help & Support (knowledge base) and a few other sites. It says "Cannot find server" or "Page cannot be displayed" or I get Msg 404.
I was able to view these sites before and now I can't. I hope someone can help me with this problem as I need to be able to update (auto update is turned on but doesn't appear to be working. Thank You Jackie

 

[shadoe_phantom]

How long has it been like that? and have you tried again?
It is possible that those sites were down when you tried to access them.
As far as updates goes, you should be able to go to www.microsoft.com (or http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp)and from there go to the updates section. If not, then perhaps your firewall or something is blocking those sites.
Please report back if you are still having problems connecting to any of those sites.

PS
possibly also an outdated bookmark in your browser referring to an old url.

 

[Jacqueline]

Hi Shadoe Phanthom

Hi thanks for your reply to my post. I had an invasion of the worms msblaster, lovsan, hachi and a few trojans to boot started on 8-11-03. My puter was in the RPC msgs crap. My son came over and got rid of msblaster worm on the 18th. My AVG antivrus found the other worms and trojans but took several runs to fix them and keep them fixed. Got the security patches but could not access MsUpdates from my favotites or by clicking on it from lists of sites when I searched net for Ms sites. I didn't know that my autorun for msupdates also isn't working (sigh) I didn't pay enough attention to that my fault. I have tried to access MsUpdates, Techtv, and a few other websites that I can't connect to by using search and clicking on site from list. I can get techtv in Canada but not techtv.com. This is DRIVING ME NUTS! (my x said that I din't have far to drive LOL). I did msconfig with start up and deleted and re-installed Inrernet Explorer but didn't help. It is harder to reach and talk to Dell and Microsoft then it is to talk to and reach GOD ALMIGHTY! Their CS Sucks! Don't believe the commercials! My Ms Wizard to burn cd's doesn't work either, but I downloaded Burnatonce per Woody's post, I thanked him for that. I dont' know what else I can do, outside of just living with not be able to access thse sites. I can use any and all help and suggestions that I can get. I am just a run-of-the-mill user not a puter whiz.
Thank You for anything you send my way. Jackie

 

[shadoe_phantom]

That is just terrible Jacqueline. The unfortunate part for you is that you have a Dell machine... which I am guessing probably did not come with your own CD of winXP. Most likely just starter CD or something like that.
I would recommend (if Dell machines allow) for you to get your own copy and format your HDD and re-install windows on it. I don't think you have an issue that will be completely fixed by anti-virus programs & trojan removers.
If you don't know how to do all those things, find someone who can. Then make sure you install an anti-virus program which you update at least once a week (or other week), and also have a Firewall installed. Kerio makes a nice free one you can use (though at first it is annoying to set things).
This way you will be completely virus free and your system will be at a healthy start again. I'm not done yet lol. I would then also recommend that you get some sort of Drive copying/imaging software. Powerquest Drive Image 7 is good but a smaller and just as good if not better software is Acronis True Image (recommended to me by our favorite RASTA man). After you have installed everything nicely on your system, make am image copy of your C drive incase things get messed up again (I would do this at least every 1-2 weeks). Takes only about 5-20 minutes or so, depending on HDD size.
Computers are fragile things, much like babies lol. They can give you joy, but a lot of headaches too... and make you feel hopeless at times. Patience and time will heal all (well most times lol). Anyhow, I wish you luck and hopefully you can get things purring again on your system.

PS
Don't open files or attachments in emails (infact don't even open email accounts that you don't know of) or files you have downloaded... if you don't know who sent them to you. Even then sometimes just avoid them if they are forwarded messages or some other junk mail friends like to send sometimes. My friends know not to send me those things, otherwise I will respond to them with a real nasty virus to teach them a lesson lol.
Good luck again.

 

[RASTABT]

Good day/night Jacqueline another thing to try is to clear out your cookies, to see if this correct's your problem with these site's.
Another idea is if your using some form of add stopper , pop up stopper may also be blocking these site in the settings....So if your using anything like this check in the settings Privacy and look into the cookies or sites listed there and remove these site from the list if you find them listed in there.....

 

[Hag]

Hi there

Listen to shadoe_phantom he talks a lot of sense

Get your system clean & fresh
Install all your main programs, virus/firewall, Word, fav paint prog, ect
Update your virus & firewall
Use M/S Update to get all the security updates
Use checkdisc, defrag & do your initial virus scan
Once everything is "Tickety-Boo" and running smoothly make a drive image
Then if it all goes pear shaped again then you can use your image & start afresh

Then work out some kind of email code with all your contacts for example

Always put a letter in brackets in the subject line i.e (J) & (Ja) if it contains a attachment and encourage your contacts to do the same, its not foolproof but it helps !
Think about using mailwasher to check your E-Mails before you download them
see http://www.mailwasher.net/

Good luck
Hag

 

[zver]

Well..Everything has been said allready...Just to remind you that a good firewall is more important then av..And most important.......logic&common sense.......So go for kerio3b6(firewall),and get a good av..And i mean good..like fsecure,kaspersky,...also people recomending nod32 and avast..Try to keep it updated.....I saw that people using avg..but that software is always getting poor marks on all tests....so its up to you ....And as Shadow said..When everything is working ok..Make a system backyp..My choice woyld be ghost...or Acronis(if you dont mind paying for it)....