14 replies to this topic

[krysia1974]

Hi there, I have this problem where I cannot access the Tiscali homepage, or any other pages within tiscali, this problem is confined to just www.tiscali.co.uk as I have no trouble accessing any other web pages, please can you help ?? Thanks Alan

[Doug]

The site opens just fine for me, so it isn't the site, at least right now.

Take a look in your HostsFile to see if Tiscali has somehow gotten in there by mistake
To do so, you may benefit from using HostsXpert (formerly Hoster) 3.7
It's free, here: http://www.majorgeek...ster_d4626.html

you may also want to take a look in you IE Restricted Zone, which will sometimes be a copy of HostsFile, and sometimes may be quite different.

Remove references to Tiscali, if found in Restricted Zone.


Keep us posted with your progess.

Best Regards

[krysia1974]

Thanks for your reply, just one thing, I have no idea how to use HostsXpert or what it does, if you could point me in the right direction, also checked I.E, tiscali isnt in the restricted sites section, I have tried turning off my firewall, autoprotect etc, but it made no difference,

[Doug]

Hi krysia1974, I may have offered a proceedure that is more complex than necessary. Instead, since it is your own ISP, to which you subscribe, you can give them a phone call and ask them to walk you through steps to resolve the situation. (phone number on your billing invoice) If they are of no help, post back, and we'll see about taking a few more steps here. Best Regards

[krysia1974]

Yep did try there help, but they were no help, just me to put a different Ip address under dns server, tcp/ip, so any further would be appreciated, thanks Alan

[Doug]

OK, let's see if you have a problem in Hosts File
-----------

using explorer drill down to the following location:

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

right click on HOST and chose open with... pick notepad.
your host file will open up in notepad so you can read it.
let us know if you see anything like following:

127.0.0.1 tiscali.com.uk
127.0.0.1 tiscali.com
127.0.0.1 *.tiscali.com.uk

____________________________________

You may actually not have a populated Hosts file.
If no hosts file items have been populated, you will see something like the following:
__________

Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

________________________

In the event that you do have a populated Hosts File and you find various items designating your HomePage ISP, you can "delete" them from the notepad and then select Save.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Best Regards

[krysia1974]

Hi its as shown, and doesnt appear to be populated, so whats my next step thanx for your help

[Doug]

Are you using any "blocking" type security programs, like SpywareBlaster, or IE-Spyad?

[Doug]

Are you using a Router? Do you have any "parental controls" in place? What AntiVirus product are you running? ___________ Let's clean up the various things that "could" be interferring: Control Panel - Internet Options Click to Delete Temporary Internet Files (also select to delete Offline items) Click to Delete Cookies ______ Next: Go To: Start - Run - ipconfig /releaseall Next: Start - Run - ipconfig /renew Next: Start - Run - ipconfig /flushdns The above should have cleared any settings that could have become corrupted. ______________ Note: I've google-searched tascali. There are quite a few subscriber complaints about inability to access various Domains on the internet. Most of the complainers are also stating that tascali-online help has been next to worthless. (That type of complaint is not uncommon for people with persistent DNS problems with their ISP, even when hundreds or thousands of other users are not having problems at the same ISP.) So I'm not jumping on a band-wagon of "dump tascali", just noticing that many are. Are you an online gamer, or do you download heavily from the internet, particularly from Peer-2-Peer networks? Tascali has been reported to place additional restrictions on user IP if their online ativity exceeds set parameters, particularly during ordinary business use hours. Access may be better after 1:AM local for the Tascali site. ---------- But hopefully, the previous above "clean-up" fixes have improved things for you. Please keep us posted with your progress. Best Regards

[krysia1974]

First off have done all the IPconfig instructions as above, I have a Belkin Router, I have Norton INternet Security, but tiscali still wont load even when I turn it all off, I dont do online gaming, but I was subject to a restricted account because of downloading in the evenings, this has supposedly been removed now, but oddly enough the problem I have only seems to have been occuring roughly as long as the time they have un-restricted my account, seems strange thing to do though, let me access all websites apart from there own. Another thing dont know if this is relevant but here is what the security log says for the firewall in the belkin router software: Mar.12.2007 16:45:04 security:505369.318 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1390, AS Seq=-507428362, Ack=1873911605 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:10 security:505375.261 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1392, AS Seq=1810421748, Ack=-142626304 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:21 security:Session -- Prot: 6, 192.168.2.2:1392 > 212.74.99.40:80 505366.023 ~ 505386.591 size 144/0 time-out Mar.12.2007 16:45:22 security:505387.220 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1392, AS Seq=1810421748, Ack=-142626304 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:23 security:505387.433 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1398, AS Seq=729169836, Ack=-1994622181 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:25 security:505390.332 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1398, AS Seq=729169836, Ack=-1994622181 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:28 security:505393.310 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1398, AS Seq=729169836, Ack=-1994622181 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:34 security:505399.366 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1398, AS Seq=729169836, Ack=-1994622181 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:42 security:Session -- Prot: 6, 192.168.2.2:1398 > 212.74.99.40:80 505387.242 ~ 505406.736 size 144/0 time-out Mar.12.2007 16:45:43 security:505407.537 Blocked Prot=6, 88.110.252.33:2862 > 88.110.163.3:135, S Seq=1745026102, Ack=0 -Disallowed Destination IP Mar.12.2007 16:45:44 security:505408.298 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1400, AS Seq=1872003900, Ack=2035233501 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:46 security:505410.438 Blocked Prot=6, 88.110.252.33:2862 > 88.110.163.3:135, S Seq=1745026102, Ack=0 -Disallowed Destination IP Mar.12.2007 16:45:47 security:505411.264 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1398, AS Seq=729169836, Ack=-1994622181 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:47 security:505411.281 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1400, AS Seq=1872003900, Ack=2035233501 -Black List Defense Mar.12.2007 16:45:47 security:505411.285 Blocked Prot=6, 212.74.99.40:80 > 88.110.163.3:1400, AS Seq=1872003900, Ack=2035233501 -Black List Defense

[krysia1974]

here also is a screenshoot what tiscali looks like in my browser when it sorta loads

Attached Thumbnails

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[Doug]

The blocked address: 212.74.99.40 ---- is equal to: media.tascali.co.uk The blocked address: 88.110.252.33 ---- is equal to: dynamic.dsl.AS9105.com (a DNS Server) __________ Your problem "may" be related to "Black List Defense" blocking, by your Router's Firewall. ________ consider connecting your machine directly to the DSL modem, without the Router. If you get a good connection with ability to access tascali and other sites you wish to access, when the Router is not in the Network, then you will have narrowed the search down to the Router. _________ If the above is found to be true, then You "might" benefit from Uninstalling the Router Software and running the Router Setup for a fresh start. Best Regards

[krysia1974]

Thanks for your help, but youve lost me a bit, dont know how to do the bit regarding connecting the machine directly to the the dsl modem, the model of my belkin is F5D7632-4, it is a modem and router all in one.

[krysia1974]

Had a look around google and found this at the following link
http://forums.broadb...p...D=4002&PN=1

seems to have sorted it for now:
I have copied what the person in the forum posted:

" When I had a similar problem, I contacted Belkin Support and got the following response. This fixed it, provided that you remember to reapply the fix as required.
Regards, Derek.

Thank you for contacting Belkin Technical Support.

We understand that you are getting Black list in the router's security log.

Derek, to resolve this issue, please follow the steps given below:

- Click on Start -> Run and type in cmd and click on OK
- In the Command Prompt, type in telnet 192.168.2.1 (press enter)
Username = admin
Password = the password used to login to the router interface
- Type in - firewall set IDS blacklist disable (: CASE Sensitive)
- Close the open window

- You should then be able to access this site with no problems.

- Please note that if the router is re-powered for some reason you will need to perform this procedure again.

This should solve the problem.

Derek, if you need further assistance, please feel free to write back to us and we will be happy to assist you.

If you have any other questions or issues please call us toll free at 0080022355460. Alternatively, call us on 01933 35 2000 (Extension 2075, Option 2). You may also contact our Online Chat Support by clicking on 'Online Chat' at

http://www.belkin.co...kingsupport.asp

Is this safe would you say ? I appreciate all the help you have given me
thanks
Alan

[Doug]

Hey Alan.....

Nice work finding a potential solution.

Yes the procedure itself is safe......... however..........

Here's the "however" part:

Most modern Routers have a built in hardware-firewall feature. <--- That's a very good thing.

But most folks don't know how NAT Firewalls (the built in hardware-firewall of the Router) work.
A few Gamers learn how to "port-forward" through their Router, but I doubt many really know what they are doing or what the consequences are.
"Simplistically", port-forwarding punches a hole in the protection that the router firewall would otherwise have been providing. <--- Not always an entirely good thing.

"Caveate" - (I'm not a Belkin user, so I'm not familiar with the Belkin built-in NAT Firewall, nor do I know what the "Black List" function is in the Belkin modem/Router.)

So I'll explain in simple terms, what I think I know.

The Belkin Tech Support is giving the user a method to "turn-off" a portion of the protection that would otherwise be provided by the hardware firewall. <--- maybe not such a good thing, even though it is likely to solve your current problem.

So, What should you do?
Go ahead and follow the recommendations in that TechSupport Posting.
Now you will probably be able to access the sites that had previously been blocked. <--- that's a good thing

Next:
Download and install a "software firewall" like ZoneAlarm, Kerio, Sygate (all have "free" versions that provide excellent two-way Firewall protection) <--- Software Firewall provide very good protection

Now you have restored your internet access, AND provided additional good protection for your machine via the Software Firewall. (Software Firewalls "update" about 1-3 times annually)

You are good to go and never look back!

My machines are also behind a router (in my case Linksys). Linksys also contains a NAT hardware-firewall.

I "always" add a software firewall (I generally use Zone Alarm Free)

Some of the folks on this Forum who are highly technically advanced understand the configuration and use of NAT Hardware Firewalls and rely on them exclusively. Because they really know what they are doing with the hardware, they don't think they need to bother with software firewalls.

Since I am not that advanced in my understanding of hardware firewalls, I am grateful that competent companies like ZoneAlarm, Kerio, Sygate, provide software firewalls for the rest of us to use!

You actually found your own solution.
I'm glad to have the opportunity to walk through this solution with you.

Best Regards