Can't access a website

vili · Jun 27, 2009

I have a strange problem: I cannot access websites on a certain server (Firefox gives me "Network Timeout", Windows network diagnostics says "website is online but isn't responding to connection attempts"). The problem is quite annoying since that happens to be the server that hosts my own websites.

The problem is limited to this computer because I can access the websites without problem from other devices (another computer, a mobile phone) connected to the same network. That should rule out server, ISP or router problems.

The problem is not browser related, because none of the browsers on this computer can access the website (I have tried Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari).

I can ping the server IP with no problem.

But I cannot access the server by entering the IP to the browser (this results in the same error message -- but works fine on other devices).

I can access other websites hosted by the same hosting provider on different servers.

The hosts file looks ok -- it's the default Win7 host file.

I have tried reconnecting to the network, dnsflush, rebooting, emptying caches, deleting temporary internet files, but none of this helps.

This has happened a few times now, and then gone away after a while. It just starts working again. But now it's been over two days that it hasn't worked, so it seems like it might not come back at all.

I never had this issue before I moved to Windows 7. I am currently running the Release Candidate.

Any suggestions?

zigzag3143 · Jun 27, 2009

website

vili said:
I have a strange problem: I cannot access websites on a certain server (Firefox gives me "Network Timeout", Windows network diagnostics says "website is online but isn't responding to connection attempts"). The problem is quite annoying since that happens to be the server that hosts my own websites.

The problem is limited to this computer because I can access the websites without problem from other devices (another computer, a mobile phone) connected to the same network. That should rule out server, ISP or router problems.

The problem is not browser related, because none of the browsers on this computer can access the website (I have tried Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari).

I can ping the server IP with no problem.

But I cannot access the server by entering the IP to the browser (this results in the same error message -- but works fine on other devices).

I can access other websites hosted by the same hosting provider on different servers.

The hosts file looks ok -- it's the default Win7 host file.

I have tried reconnecting to the network, dnsflush, rebooting, emptying caches, deleting temporary internet files, but none of this helps.

This has happened a few times now, and then gone away after a while. It just starts working again. But now it's been over two days that it hasn't worked, so it seems like it might not come back at all.

I never had this issue before I moved to Windows 7. I am currently running the Release Candidate.

Any suggestions?

Hi and welcome to sevenforums

My first impulse is to ask abt firewalls, and anti-virus. could you give us the info on yours as well as complete computer specs.

Thanks
Ken

vili · Jun 27, 2009

Thanks for the reply, Ken!

Indeed, I forgot to mention that I also tried turning off firewall (Win7 default) and anti-virus (Avira) but that didn't help. The computer is a Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo A7640 notebook.

I think I just narrowed down the problem to the Ethernet card, however. When I tested the WLAN connection, the websites I'm having problems with worked just fine. However, the moment I turn off the wireless connection and switch back to the cable, I cannot access the websites any more.

I have now tried a few different drivers for the Ethernet card (SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter), disabling and enabling it, but with no luck.

zigzag3143 · Jun 27, 2009

website

vili said:
Thanks for the reply, Ken!

Indeed, I forgot to mention that I also tried turning off firewall (Win7 default) and anti-virus (Avira) but that didn't help. The computer is a Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo A7640 notebook.

I think I just narrowed down the problem to the Ethernet card, however. When I tested the WLAN connection, the websites I'm having problems with worked just fine. However, the moment I turn off the wireless connection and switch back to the cable, I cannot access the websites any more.

I have now tried a few different drivers for the Ethernet card (SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter), disabling and enabling it, but with no luck.

OK im assuming you have a typical setup cable modem, router, pcs. have you tried (yeah i know this is a pretty lame one) re-boorting them all. I figure you have and the next step is are you getting dns. Im gonna assume you are good cause you seem to be. try ping the domain name of your server msn.com, then ping the ip of ame server. that will tell you if you have dns.

If you feel corfortible with telling me the domain name I can do a little investigating, if not dont worry we can still tackle this
Ken

vili · Jun 27, 2009

zigzag3143 said:
OK im assuming you have a typical setup cable modem, router, pcs. have you tried (yeah i know this is a pretty lame one) re-boorting them all.

Not lame at all. I thought that I had tried rebooting everything, but now that you mentioned a "typical setup", I realised that my setup is indeed not entirely typical (the wired connection goes through a switch, a wireless access point and two routers) and that the problem could be with the wireless access point that is used by the wired connection but which is bypassed by the wireless one. Rebooting the access point didn't help, but I decided to dig deeper.

And indeed, if I take the laptop and plug it directly to the router, the websites load again. Once I plug the computer back to the access point, however, the problem returns. Clearly, the issue must be with the connection running through the access point. Which means that I have probably been barking at the wrong tree here -- Win7 may well have nothing to do with the issue. I'll need to troubleshoot the access point instead. Strange though that the problems started after I installed Win7.

Thanks for this!

vili · Jun 27, 2009

I was wrong, the problem really is Windows 7 related. For one thing, there is nothing in the access point that should block the traffic. Secondly, I booted the laptop into Ubuntu, and the websites loaded just fine.

So, what on earth can affect Win7 in a way that stops me from accessing specific websites within the same IP when the computer is connected to a specific access point? Why only those sites? Why only when connected through the access point?

This is beyond my understanding of technology. If anyone has suggestions how to proceed, let me know. I might actually just go back to XP.

sup3rsprt · Jun 27, 2009

disable IPv6 on your network adapter and try again.

vili · Jun 27, 2009

sup3rsprt said:
disable IPv6 on your network adapter and try again.

Thanks for the suggestion, sup3rsprt! I actually tried that already, but with no help.

onkarparmar · Feb 9, 2010

one solution that worked with me

I was facing the same problem. I was able to solve it with following steps:

1. Go to control panel
2. Go to System and Security
3. Click "Allow Programs and Features" under "Windows Firewall"
4. Click "Change Settings" and then turn ON the check box at the bottom of the list with header "World Wide Web Service".

Click OK and you should be able to access the site from other computers.

Thanks
Onkar

frogitts · Mar 20, 2010

I'm having the same exact problem, almost. I can solve the problem by restarting the computer, but if I leave it on for another 24 hours, it generally will not be able to access websites through the browser again. Adapter settings all seem correct, and I'm able to ping websites (e.g. Google) and my router. I have AVG installed on the computer, I'm wondering if that's the problem.

I tried going to the Firewall Settings as mentioned above, but there was no "World Wide Web Service" to allow through the firewall.

Cchg · Jan 26, 2011

Trying to revive this thread as I'm facing the exact same problem! Can't seem to access websites on a particular server (Windows Network Diagnostics gives me "IP is online but isn't responding to connection attempts"). Vili and Frogitts, have you both found a workable solution to the problem?

senconnection · May 9, 2011

Solution found

Even I was suffering from same problem, finally after lots of hard work I found one solution, hope that it may work for you guys also:
#1: go to run and type 'notepad' and 'run as administrator'
#2. on notepad go to file and open “C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts”
#3. just delete the website entry [which one is not opening/logging in your internet explorer or firefox.] Delete only the 'ip address and the webpage address', and leave all others untouched.
#save the host file.
#done.

now try to open the blocked webpage, I'm sure it will open.

p.s.: If the blocked webpage address in not in your host file then this step may not work.

pforbes7 · Jun 17, 2011

I am having this same issue - I just downloaded McAfee Total Protection and can only get access if I turn the firewall off.

cyndrel · Jan 5, 2012

cannot access some websites

I had the same problem on an Acer Aspire with pre-installed Windows 7 Home Prem.
Drove me nuts until I updated the driver for the ethernet card.
That resolved it

imran1102 · Jan 18, 2012

I have the very same problem,
I can Visit Google through its Ip but cant visit through address

Please tell me what should i do, i don't know whats happend to it because i didn't make any change. I am Using XP Sp3 since 6 months and never seen such problem ever.

Please Help me I can't do my Work at hope, I am Posting this from Office Pc

SO PLEASE Help ME thanks

cyndrel · Jan 18, 2012

imran1102:
Sounds like your problem is related to your DNS. Try to use Google DNS instead:
Configure your network settings to use the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as your DNS servers

kaunda7 · Apr 20, 2012

Not connecting to certain websites

Have you considered this:
One Certain Site will not load! Help!! [Solved] | Kioskea.net It works fine.

YouGotCyrekt · Sep 1, 2015

I know this is old, but I'm suffering from the same issue, although there's two different issues. Firstly, I'm running on Windows 8.1 (reason why Im on a Windows 7 Forum is simply because i typed the "isn't responding to our connection attempts" on Google and it brought me here.). Secondly, I only have the problem from 1 AM to 8PM (if it matters, I'm PT). From 8PM to midnight, the internet works perfectly, which really dosen't makes any sense. It might have to do with how my router works or its current settings, but only recently it has been an issue.

mafiaboylay2 · Sep 5, 2015

senconnection said:
Even I was suffering from same problem, finally after lots of hard work I found one solution, hope that it may work for you guys also:
#1: go to run and type 'notepad' and 'run as administrator'
#2. on notepad go to file and open “C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts”
#3. just delete the website entry [which one is not opening/logging in your internet explorer or firefox.] Delete only the 'ip address and the webpage address', and leave all others untouched.
#save the host file.
#done.

now try to open the blocked webpage, I'm sure it will open.

p.s.: If the blocked webpage address in not in your host file then this step may not work.

This worked! Thank you so much!

Can't access a website

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

Sr. Member & Programmer

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

New member

My Computer

Similar threads