Can't connect to certain websites

ThrashZone et als - Sorry if I didn't explain what I did properly. I performed a Clean Startup exactly as described in the link you sent. All items unchecked and disabled as instructed. After restart, the same symptoms occurred. First attempt to connect with zerohedge.com for example, worked fine. After that.... nada... back to the timeout issues. As I previously mentioned, most other websites (this one included) load without a problem. One contributor suggested it might be a torrent blocking issue. I don't think any website I go to is related to torrent. Same for both IE and chrome. So I reverted back to normal startup mode.

Mike, sorry for the confusion, ZenMate doesn't work with IE, that's what I was trying to say. OP would need to use one of the supported browsers. Firefox is the best candidate. It would take 3 minutes tops to install and try the offending websites. I would run "ipconfig -flushdns" after connecting to the VPN by the way, just in case.

Also, right after you login, run in cmd:
tracert -d www.zerohedge.com
Then run the same command after you get time out, see if route is the same.

I downloaded and installed Firefox and tried it with the two offending sites I know are consistent problems: zerohedge and sotawatch. Exactly the same results. First attempt to connect= OK. After that= NG.

GokAy- Please translate your suggestion into non-tekkie-ese :)

[ I would run "ipconfig -flushdns" after connecting to the VPN by the way, just in case. ]
Need you to explain that one for me. Remember, I'm a retired banker (i.e. not too intelligent)

[ Also, right after you login, run in cmd: tracert -d www.zerohedge.com ]
[ Then run the same command after you get time out, see if route is the same. ]

I can follow that instruction, but not sure I would know what the results would mean. But I'd be happy to screenshot and post.

BTW, when I was venting frustration yesterday, it was not directed at you guys personally. I very much appreciate the fact that you are trying to help me. Many thanks !

Didn't even notice you were venting :)

Ok, now please visit zenmate with firefox (it was not firefox I was curious to test, but the zenmate connection) link is above or just google it
It is an add-on/extension that will install to firefox, connecting to it you will bypass your ISP.
After connecting to their VPN, run in cmd:

Code:

ipconfig -flushdns

Then visit your problem sites, report back.

The other thing you can try is, right after you login (when it is supposed to work) run in cmd:

Code:

tracert -d www.zerohedge.com

Copy paste the result here, then open your browser and make it stop responding and rerun the same command, copy paste that too.

So 2 things to try. Plus the one below. It will take 10 minutes all.

Also since I still need an answer. Did you stop DNS Client service (run services.msc and scroll down to it, right click and stop). Try your regular browser now.

Since we failed to ask you this yet, please run cmd as admin (start menu search box - cmd, then right click the icon that will show and select "run as administrator"):

Code:

Sfc /scannow

Report the results (it will take 20 minutes or so), or just copy paste.

GokAy - OK, I'm almost afraid to report this: 1) Stop DNS Client Service= no change 2) Zenmate added to Firefox 3) ipconfig -flushdns completed.

I restarted, went to Firefox and the problem websites loaded quickly. I then surfed the web for a bit and tried them again. They loaded. I had lunch, surfed a bit more and tried again. They loaded. I closed Firefox and opened Chrome. The two sites would not load. I went back to Firefox. They loaded ! I didn't perform tracert -d since Firefox was working. Let me play with this for a while and see if Firefox now consistently loads the problem sites. But it certainly seems as though progress is being made. I'm hopefully optimistic. I'll report more later. Can you explain to me what is actually happening when you say that this bypasses my ISP? Also, would you still like me to perform the tracert -d ? If so, how should I proceed in Firefox (sites loading) vs. Chrome (sites not loading). Thank you.

I performed Sfc /scannow (as Administrator). When I try to open the file CBS.log where the results are, I get an Access Denied message. What do I have to do to view the results of the scan?

Still working ok in Firefox. However, in surfing some of my other sites, they are reporting that my computer seems to be in many different locations, ranging from nearby my actual location to as far away as New Zealand. Have I opened myself up to security risks by applying this "fix" in Firefox?