limited acces

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

Hi all, for some reason I am unable to open certain sites that open on my other computer. Both machines are XP one is Home the other is Pro.
I'm uncertain when exactly this began but it may have been to tinkering with one of Doc's host files suggestions. I have attempted to back out of this but so far no joy. XP pro Sp3 with plenty of everything.
Something seems to be blocking access to certain sites how do I correct this?

kenmabmcc · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject:

I have had the same problem after installing HostMan.

If you are using that go to File > Open Hosts > Find

at the bottom you will find a search box

put in the site that will not open

and when the site is found click on the right hand box to disable it

some searches work better if www. bit is not entered.

goretsky · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:10 am Post subject:

Hello,

There are lots of reasons you can have trouble accessing one computer from another. A little connectivity testing to begin with can help make it easier to help determine where the problem may be occurring.

If you open a Command Prompt (filename: CMD.EXE) on your computer and try using a Traceroute (filename: TRACERT.EXE) command to check the path between one of the web sites and your computer by typing "TRACERT www.example.com" (replace www.example.com with the address of the site), what results do you get back? Is your computer able to 'trace' the 'route' to the other computer over the Internet, does it go to another address, does it not resolve, or does it point back to your own computer?

Knowing that will be helpful in further troubleshooting the problem.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

Thanks for the reply Ken, Goresky.

It was indeed HostMan but I was unable to resolve the issue there were multiple instances of the file I was searching for (statcounter.com)
I finally uninstalled HostMan and reinstalled the original host files and life is good again! Very Happy

Thanks to both of you for the assist.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

HostsMan only flags bad web sites. NOT good ones.

So if you insist on going to bad sites then you just need to open HostMan and shut off or Disable the Hosts file. That's as simple as a single mouse click on the left one of the three Icons.
Nothing to get hyper about!

Having Unsafe Internet is like trying to race a train to the crossing!
Not such a good idea. Crying or Very sad

goretsky · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:27 am Post subject:

Hello,

I have found that some hosts file lists block access to gaming and sports web sites, as well as servers used by instant messaging clients. While a business might not want employees accessing these types of resources from work computers, if a computer operator wants to access them on their personal computer and network connection that is really up to the individual.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Of course, you're logic is impeccable.

It's definitely up to the individual, whether to operate their PC safely or unsafely.

Personally, I'd as soon step out in front of a MACK truck as allow my PC to access a site that could possibly infect me with some kind of malware.

I install "Hosts Man" for every one of my customers where high security is required or where children operate the computer.

In all, I've had one complaint from a family where the kids (?) wanted to go to some gaming site and HostsMan prevented it. I showed the Dad how to temporarily disable the hosts file, with HostsMan, to play that one internet game.

You CAN be safe with a custom hosts file and still be able to go to whatever site you wish by just disabling Hosts with HostsMan when you want to.

It's so simple......open the HostsMan program.
There will be three Icons in the little window.
Click the one on the left, to disable Hosts.
Close the window. Job done.

Y'all have a great day!

The Doctor Cool

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

Doc first of all I resent the insinuation, one of the sites I was unable to open was http://www.freerip.com/
another was http://statcounter.com/ a program I have used for years now.
There were a couple others which slip my memory but certainly not "Bad Sites"!
Ken said he had a similar problem perhaps you might want to advise him also about his "bad surfing" habits.

Or on a more sane note consider that HostMan isn't perfect.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Isn't there some place that you can just get the list of the site considered as "bad"? The same list that these kind of tools deliver & just edit the HOSTS file YOURSELF? Then you'd KNOW what was in it.

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

Baby_Tux thanks for your concern I know that last exchange may have sounded hostile but I assure you it was not.
Once in a while when one contrary old coot disagrees with a sweet pleasant old coot it may sound heated but that's
just the love being passed on. Wink

kenmabmcc

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

Actually, I guess I asked a two fold question, as I would really like to know if one COULD get just the list without having to resort to the program(s).

Sorry, that I haven't taken the time to look... (google) Embarassed

pasquanel · Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 517 Location: Maine

Hey Ken,
Actually I was just having a little fun at Doc's expense truth is he's always been there when I needed help actually you've helped bail me out a couple times also. This forum and Greyknight have saved my bacon many times. Dos I was only kidding! Laughing