Windows XP: Google Sites Won't Open
Google Sites Won't Open
by xelaw - 1/5/09 10:38 AMI am running WIN XP SP3, For the past few days (since January 1) I have been having BIG problems getting into all kinds of Google sites, including Gmail. Normally I would post this problem on a Google forum, but I can't get into their sites for posting, so I'm posting it here,
The problem was first noticed when trying to get into Gmail, which didn't show up. I could search for something in Google and get a search list, but none of the links ln the list would would work. I could not get into my iGoogle page either. In Firefox 3.0.5 I would always get a blank page, and in Internet Explorer 7 I would get "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage". All other sites except for Google work fine.
The problem is on my PC and my wife's laptop - we are both on the same router and modem (hers is a wi-fi connection). So I took out the router and connected the cable modem directly to my PC - problem remains.
So I called my ISP. They said they tried using my user name to go to Google sites and had no problems, so they weren't much help.
I then removed all the Google cookies in FF, and lo and behold - I had GMail and Google search OK. So I went to my wife's laptop and did the same thing, and I got Google search, but no Gmail. I went back to my PC, and closed the Gmail, and tried opening it up again - no luck. No Gmail. (By the way GMail notifier works -it shows that I have Gmail waiting.)
I didn't find a virus or spyware (unlikely to have the same bug in 2 browsers on two computers.) I also tried a couple of Gmail proxy sites - no luck.
So the situation now is:
*Google Search - works
*Gmail - can't get it. Had it immediately after I removed Google FF cookies, and when ISP told me to lower security settings in IE, and maybe another couple of times at random in last few days, but in general, no Gmail on either computer.
*Google Maps - I get it, but can't get to the "My Maps" feature in FF. I removed the cookies, and I can't get to the Google sign in page, In IE, where I didn't remove cookies, I can get to "My Maps"
*iGoogle - can't get to my page
*Google Forums - can't get to a page from which I can post.
*Google Earth - works fine
I can Ping Google.com and Gmail, and get replies.
Sounds like a connection problem at Google? My ISP says no, and proxy sites don't work. Has Google been monkeying around with new versions lately? If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.
Just A Thought... Tried Reinitializing Your Modem..
by Grif Thomas
- 1/6/09 10:13 AM
In reply to: Google Sites Won't Open by xelaw
First, turn OFF the computers.. Next, turn OFF the router, next turn OFF the modem.. Leave everything off for 10 minutes, yes 10 minutes.. Next, turn ON the modem, let it initialize for 2 minutes.. Then turn on the router, wait another 2 minutes.. Then turn on the computer and wait for it to connect.. Now clean out all the files from "C:\Documents and Settings\Yourusername\Local Setings\Temp" folder and the files from the "Temporary Internet files" folder. Now attempt to reach your Google sites.
Hope this helps.
Grif
No Joy!
by xelaw - 1/6/09 11:42 AM In reply to: Just A Thought... Tried Reinitializing Your Modem.. by Grif Thomas
Grif Thomas, thanks, but I'm afraid that's not the answer. I've tried resetting modem and router and turning off PC before, possibly not in the sequence you mentioned, so I tried it again as per your instructions. The extended modem off time apparently made the ISP supply me with a new IP address, but didn't get me any better connectivity with Google.
My System apparently doesn't have the same path to cache and temporary internet folders as yours, but I cleaned these out from Tools in FF and IE (as I have done a number of times in the past few days), and it makes no difference.
Paths Are The Same, You Need To 'Show All Files'
by Grif Thomas - 1/6/09 2:40 PM
In reply to: No Joy! by xelaw
..in the Windows Explorer/Tools/Folder Options/View section, CHECK the box next to "Show hidden files and folders" and UNCHECK the box next to "Hide Protected operating system files" and "Hide extensions for known file types", then click on Apply, then OK. You'll then be able to see the C:\Documents and Settings\Yourusername\Local Setings\Temp folder.
And since you're still not able to see Google stuff, I start doing further troubleshooting.. Check the HOSTS(no file extension) file which resides at C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc.. (You'll need to have performed the "Show all files" steps above before you can see the HOSTS file.. Once you find it, rename it to HOSTS.txt and double click on it to view its contents.. If you find Google.com in there, delete that particular entry, save the change, then rename the file back to HOSTS, without a file extension.
I would also update my version of Java, etc. then check for spyware which might be causing the issue. A good, free spyware removal tool is at the link below.:
SUPERAntispyware Removal Tool
Hope this helps.
Grif
Still not working
by xelaw - 1/7/09 6:39 AM In reply to: Paths Are The Same, You Need To 'Show All Files' by Grif Thomas
Grif Thomas, thanks again. You were right about the path. I had "Show all files and folders" turned on; it's just that I looked in the wrong place. Sorry
In any case, I emptied out the temp folders, etc. No luck. I had already looked in the Hosts file a few days ago. Google isn't there. I also updated my version of Java. Again no change.
I had run Windows Defender, AVG Spyware, and Norton AV (all updated) on my PC a couple of days ago, and found nothing much. I ran the anti-spyware you recommended, and it found a few trojans and some tracking cookies, which I quarantined. I rebooted, tried Gmail - no luck.
I then did something I should have done a couple of days ago. I took my wife's laptop to a cafe that has a hotspot. I got into GMail with no problems (with FF), and read her mail. I closed the laptop, took it home, and opened it up, and tried getting into GMail, and it worked. I then went to my PC and tried GMail - no luck! Went back to the laptop, closed FF, opened it again, and tried to get GMail - this time no luck.
I then spent a couple of hours with Technical Support at my IPS, trying to convince them that it's a problem with connectivity to Google. They did all sorts of traces, and changed all sorts of settings for my modem and router (including my password) but they couldn't find anything. At their end, everything worked. I think we both gave up out of exhaustion.
That's the situation now, except that I think I've regressed - now Google search doesn't work correctly on FF. Sometimes I get nothing when I search, sometimes the search list but the links don't work. In IE, Google search seems to work OK. All other sites work OK on FF and IE.
If you have any more suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
Seems Like You've Narrowed It Down..
by Grif Thomas - 1/7/09 10:21 AM
In reply to: Still not working by xelaw
It does look like your particular internet connection is causing the problem.. Now it becomes a troubleshooting procedure to eliminate possible culprits.. I'd start with the free stuff first.. I'd find updated firmware for your router and modem and install it.. If that doesn't fix the issue, press the reset button to eliminate all settings from the router/modem and start from scratch..
If that doesn't get it done, I swap in a new modem to see if the current one is faulty..
Hope this helps.
Grif
And Since You DID Find Trojans...
by Grif Thomas - 1/7/09 10:25 AM
In reply to: Still not working by xelaw
Please try these instructions and a second free spyware removal tool from the link below.. Remember, although it may take quite a bit of time, run these tools on BOTH of your computers, laptop and desktop, repeatedly till you find nothing on both..
On a friend or family member's computer, download the Malwarebytes installer and update files from the links below, copy them to a CD or flash drive, then transfer the files to the problem machine and use them.. I use the sites below to download the installer file and the manual updater:
Once downloaded and before transferring them to the problem machine, rename the program installer "mbam-setup.exe" file to something else like "Gogetum.exe", then copy the installer file and the update file to a CD or flash drive.. Transfer the file to the problem machine, then install the "Gogetum.exe" file, then run the update to get the program current.. After that, run a full system scan and delete anything it finds.
Malwarebytes Installer Download Link (Clicking on the links below will immediately start the download dialogue window.)
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe
Malwarebytes Manual Updater link
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/database/mbam-rules.exe
In a few situations, in order for the program to run, it was also necessary to rename the main "mbam.exe" file also after installing it.. It resides in the C:\Programs Files\Malwarebytes Antimalware folder.
Hope this helps and let us know more.
Grif
I have same issue
by Festerf - 1/7/09 10:47 AM In reply to: And Since You DID Find Trojans... by Grif Thomas
I have a laptop which has the very same problem but i have long ruled out any ISP trouble.. the problem begin a few days ago and only effects gmail. i cant open the sign in page for it or the sign in page on the Google page.. i have tried it on different internet both in work and home and mobile internet it wont open at any location but my pc at work and home has no problem with gmail..
virus scan and spy ware scans did bring up some a Trojan.. that's been removed.. still the problem is there.. and i really am running out of ideas
Thanks for the help
by xelaw - 1/7/09 11:17 AM In reply to: And Since You DID Find Trojans... by Grif Thomas
Grif Thomas, again thanks for your help. As I said, I don't think the router is at fault, since removing the router didn't change the way the system rejects Google sites at all. As for updating the modem, it was provided by the cable company, and it doesn't have any firmware updates.
My present thought is to change ny ISP. I have to leave on a 2 week trip in a couple of days (I'm not taking the laptop, I'm taking a flash memory), so I won't be able to do this, or try the spyware removal tool you mentioned till I get back. I had hoped to resolve the problem before I left, but unfortunately, there's not enough time.
Festerf, are you able to get into Google Gmail Help and ask them any questions? I can't - have you given it a try - I once had a different problem with Gmail, and they answered me and gave me a solution.
Afraid not
by Festerf - 1/7/09 2:44 PM In reply to: Thanks for the help by xelawNo i am unable to get to the log in page at all so cant get to the help section. I also noticed while trying Google Chrome to see if it would help, when i click any link to do with Google Chrome i get rederected to Google home page..
such strange things going on AVG, Malwarebytes, spybot all show system as clean
Hmmm...You Both Have Google Chrome??
by Grif Thomas - 1/7/09 4:04 PM
In reply to: Afraid not by Festerf
Just curious whether Chrome has something to do with the issue.. No reason for it but it is curious??
On a computer without Chrome can you log in to Gmail or use Google sites?
Hope this helps.
Grif
Don't have Google Chrome.
by xelaw - 1/7/09 10:17 PM In reply to: Hmmm...You Both Have Google Chrome?? by Grif Thomas
Nope. I don't have Google Chrome, and I don't intend to install it until my present problem is straightened out.
No Chrome
by Festerf - 1/8/09 4:52 AM In reply to: Don't have Google Chrome. by xelawNo i have both IE and Firefox on the laptop with the problem.. i only tried to install Chrome to see if it would help but as i mentioned above.. When i click on any Chrome link i get sent straigh t to google homepage..
Has to be the strangest problem i have seen in years.. it leads me to think there is still some forum of infection on the lappy but after 2 scans of 3 different programs the laptop shows up clean..
Sorry guys i think i may have got ahead of myself.. I have just noticed the problem shows up on facebook when clicking the login section i get redirecte to google home page also..
so armed with more problems hopefully it well help locate the problem
Just For Grins... Please Try...
by Grif Thomas - 1/8/09 11:15 AM
In reply to: No Chrome by Festerf
...searching the computer for the mentioned file in the link below:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=322286&messageID=2939683&tag=forums06;posts#2939683
Read the discussions mentioned carefully and be sure to identify the correct problem malware file.. IF it's there, is will reside at : C:/Windows/system32/wdmaud.sys
___________
And if you haven't used BOTH Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware, please use the instructions below to scan your computer:
On a friend or family member's computer, download the Malwarebytes installer and update files from the links below, copy them to a CD or flash drive, then transfer the files to the problem machine and use them.. I use the sites below to download the installer file and the manual updater:
Once downloaded and before transferring them to the problem machine, rename the program installer "mbam-setup.exe" file to something else like "Gogetum.exe", then copy the installer file and the update file to a CD or flash drive.. Transfer the file to the problem machine, then install the "Gogetum.exe" file, then run the update to get the program current.. After that, run a full system scan and delete anything it finds.
Malwarebytes Installer Download Link (Clicking on the links below will immediately start the download dialogue window.)
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe
Malwarebytes Manual Updater link
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/database/mbam-rules.exe
Next, download the SuperAntispyware program and the manual updater from the links below. After running the Malwarebytes tool above, if you still can't download and install it directly from the problem machine, download it on a friend or family member's computer as well.:
SuperAntispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
SuperAntispyware Manual Updater
http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html
____________
In a few situations, in order for the program to run, it was also necessary to rename the main "mbam.exe" file also after installing it.. It resides in the C:\Programs Files\Malwarebytes Antimalware folder.
Hope this helps.
Grif
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