neworbits
7-12-03, 03:45 PM
I hope this helps some of the people who are having various caching problems.
The problems many of you are experiencing are probably due to cookie- or webpage-caching issues associated with your Internet browser. These instructions apply to AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, Internet Explorer, and Netscape browsers.
I recommend you use Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 SP2, not version 6 and not Netscape Communicator-Navigator ( except for Netscape's 4.08 stand-alone Navigator browser ).
AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, and some DSL service providers have widely known and well-documented problems with many websites which require an authenticated login, especially those which use JavaScript. BlackBoard and WebCT, the two largest distance learning organizations, have publicly stated they will no longer support these users because of these problems. Many universities have prohibited the use of Internet Explore 6. It goes on and on . . . lol
If you are using AOL, Compuserve, or Prodigy, you *must* minimize their entire program's panel, and use a separate browser, but even then, you must make sure your browser is set to verify pages and cookies with every view/click.
Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.x ( especially on XP machines ) is not reliable with regard to verifying cookies: it develops cookie caching problems at some unpredictable point ( as do AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, and most versions of Netscape ) and then you have to uninstall it, reverting to it's previously installed version in the process or removing it altogether. In some Windows XP machines, you'll have to either do a "registry hack" and remove all registry, file, and folder objects in your machine related to Internet Explorer (which can be tricky), or else reinstall the operating system, which if XP is already installed, is merely a refresh of the operating system files from the source CD or folder or network share. Some XP machines simply will not fix, and this is why many people with new computers running XP are taking machines back and demanding either a return or a change to Windows 2000 (Microsoft conveniently dropped support for 2000 in May, by the way. ).
Do the following:
To see which version of Internet Explorer you have:
Click the Help menu at the top, at the end of File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help pull-down menus.
Click "About Internet Explorer" to see which version of Internet Explorer you have.
-If- you have any version *earlier* than version 6, such as 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 etc., skip down to the "Microsoft Internet Explorer section of these instructions.
IF YOU HAVE INTERNET EXPLORER 6.x:
Click OK, to get past the "About Internet Explorer" message panel.
Click the Tools menu at the top next to Help.
Click Internet Options
Click the Privacy tab at the top
Click the Advanced button
Click a check in the box labeled "Override automatic cookie handling"
Click "Accept" under "First-party Cookies"
Click "Accept" under "Third-party Cookies"
Click a check in the box labeled "Always allow session cookies"
Click the OK button.
Click the "General" tab at the top left
Click the Settings button (in the middle of the panel on the *right*)
Click the radio button at the top, labeled "Every visit to the page".
Click the View Files button
Ctrl-a (to highlight all files)
Tap the Delete button on your keyboard -once-
Hit ENTER or click Yes to confirm
Close the View Files panel by clicking the [X] box in the upper right corner of the panel
Click OK at the bottom of the Settings Panel
Click OK at the Internet Options panel
Close Internet Explorer
RESTART YOUR COMPUTER: Start > Shutdown > Restart
Connect to the internet
Open Internet Explorer.
See if that corrected the problem.
******************
WINDOWS XP
If you're using Windows XP, and it does not list any Internet Explorer Version in Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, AND THE ABOVE IE 6 INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT WORK, skip down to the Netscape section of these instructions and install the smaller stand-alone browser, Netscape Navigator 4.08.
Be SURE to adjust the settings according to the instructions just below the netscape.com link after you download and install Netscape Navigator Version 4.08.
***************************
MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER
VERSION 5.0-5.5 SP2
***************************
With Internet Explorer up and running: Press and hold down the Alt key and tap the letter "t" once, to get to the Tools pulldown menu > Click Internet Options > Click Settings(the button in the middle) > Click the radio button labeled "Every visit to the page". Click the View Files button > Ctrl-a (to highlight all files) > Tap the Delete button on your keyboard -once- > ENTER or click Yes to confirm > close the View Files panel by clicking the [X] box in the upper right corner of the panel > Click OK at the bottom of the Settings Panel > Click OK at the Internet Options panel > Close Internet Explorer. Now re-open Internet Explorer and try to log in again.
If you've done all the above and you suspect a problem is due a corrupted install of Internet Explorer, you MUST find a version of 5.0-5.5 SP2, otherwise, Microsoft's site now (as of a few weeks ago) FORCES you to download 6.x SP1 or later release-version.
Be sure to restart your computer after installing. THEN YOU MUST FOLLOW THE IE 6 INSTRUCTIONS AT THE TOP OF THIS MESSAGE.
This should correct Internet Explorer problems.
************************
NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR: ****
************************
If you want, or *must* resort to using Netscape, try downloading the standalone Netscape Navigator version 4.08 and using it to access our site. The following link will get you directly to the download page for choosing the computer/operating system you are using and downloading that version of Netscape Navigator:
Be SURE that the following "http........downav" link occurs on a SINGLE LINE in order for it to work in your browser:
http://home.netscape.com/download/0730101/10002-en----_qual.html?cp=downav
IF YOU HAVE WINDOWS MILLENIUM ("ME") OR WINDOWS XP, CHOOSE THE 95/98/NT/2000 VERSION!
AFTER DOWNLOADING NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR 4.08, DO THE FOLLOWING:
**************************
GENERAL NETSCAPE SETTINGS:
**************************
With Netscape Navigator up and running: Press Hold down the Alt key and tap the letter "e" once to get to the Edit pulldown menu > Click Preferences > When the Preferences panel pops up, click the plus-box ( [+] ) to the left of "Advanced" on the left-side column of the Navigator panel > Click on the word "Cache" below "Advanced" > Below where you see "Document in cache is compared to documents on network:", click the radio button labeled "Every time". Then click the "Clear Memory Cache" button > click OK > Click the "Clear Disk Cache" button > click OK > click the OK button at the bottom of the Preferences panel > close Netscape Navigator > re-open Netscape Navigator > replicate the issue wherin you encountered your problem.
Generally, I also suggest you run Scandisk (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scandisk) in Standard Mode and with the Automatically Fix Errors checkbox checked. Then restart your computer (Start > Shutdown > Restart). When your computer restarts, try replicating your issue again and see if you still have the same problem. Scandisk should be run every day, Disk Defragmenter should be run AFTER Scandisk, but no more often than once every two weeks.
These links have helped me with computers generally:
http://www.pcpitstop.com
http://www.komando.com
http://www.langa.com
[Fred Langa, Senior Editor at Windows Magazine, is probably the best Windows tipster in the business.]
A good example of an unlimited-use service provider without these problems would be http://www.access4less.net ( $8 setup fee and $5.95 per month unlimited ). I use it and know that it works.
Hope this helps someone here. Your questions and comments are always welcome.
Roger
Roger Wasson
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
MCSE MCSA MCDBA CCST
Instant Messaging (all systems): neworbits
The problems many of you are experiencing are probably due to cookie- or webpage-caching issues associated with your Internet browser. These instructions apply to AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, Internet Explorer, and Netscape browsers.
I recommend you use Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 SP2, not version 6 and not Netscape Communicator-Navigator ( except for Netscape's 4.08 stand-alone Navigator browser ).
AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, and some DSL service providers have widely known and well-documented problems with many websites which require an authenticated login, especially those which use JavaScript. BlackBoard and WebCT, the two largest distance learning organizations, have publicly stated they will no longer support these users because of these problems. Many universities have prohibited the use of Internet Explore 6. It goes on and on . . . lol
If you are using AOL, Compuserve, or Prodigy, you *must* minimize their entire program's panel, and use a separate browser, but even then, you must make sure your browser is set to verify pages and cookies with every view/click.
Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.x ( especially on XP machines ) is not reliable with regard to verifying cookies: it develops cookie caching problems at some unpredictable point ( as do AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, and most versions of Netscape ) and then you have to uninstall it, reverting to it's previously installed version in the process or removing it altogether. In some Windows XP machines, you'll have to either do a "registry hack" and remove all registry, file, and folder objects in your machine related to Internet Explorer (which can be tricky), or else reinstall the operating system, which if XP is already installed, is merely a refresh of the operating system files from the source CD or folder or network share. Some XP machines simply will not fix, and this is why many people with new computers running XP are taking machines back and demanding either a return or a change to Windows 2000 (Microsoft conveniently dropped support for 2000 in May, by the way. ).
Do the following:
To see which version of Internet Explorer you have:
Click the Help menu at the top, at the end of File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help pull-down menus.
Click "About Internet Explorer" to see which version of Internet Explorer you have.
-If- you have any version *earlier* than version 6, such as 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 etc., skip down to the "Microsoft Internet Explorer section of these instructions.
IF YOU HAVE INTERNET EXPLORER 6.x:
Click OK, to get past the "About Internet Explorer" message panel.
Click the Tools menu at the top next to Help.
Click Internet Options
Click the Privacy tab at the top
Click the Advanced button
Click a check in the box labeled "Override automatic cookie handling"
Click "Accept" under "First-party Cookies"
Click "Accept" under "Third-party Cookies"
Click a check in the box labeled "Always allow session cookies"
Click the OK button.
Click the "General" tab at the top left
Click the Settings button (in the middle of the panel on the *right*)
Click the radio button at the top, labeled "Every visit to the page".
Click the View Files button
Ctrl-a (to highlight all files)
Tap the Delete button on your keyboard -once-
Hit ENTER or click Yes to confirm
Close the View Files panel by clicking the [X] box in the upper right corner of the panel
Click OK at the bottom of the Settings Panel
Click OK at the Internet Options panel
Close Internet Explorer
RESTART YOUR COMPUTER: Start > Shutdown > Restart
Connect to the internet
Open Internet Explorer.
See if that corrected the problem.
******************
WINDOWS XP
If you're using Windows XP, and it does not list any Internet Explorer Version in Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, AND THE ABOVE IE 6 INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT WORK, skip down to the Netscape section of these instructions and install the smaller stand-alone browser, Netscape Navigator 4.08.
Be SURE to adjust the settings according to the instructions just below the netscape.com link after you download and install Netscape Navigator Version 4.08.
***************************
MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER
VERSION 5.0-5.5 SP2
***************************
With Internet Explorer up and running: Press and hold down the Alt key and tap the letter "t" once, to get to the Tools pulldown menu > Click Internet Options > Click Settings(the button in the middle) > Click the radio button labeled "Every visit to the page". Click the View Files button > Ctrl-a (to highlight all files) > Tap the Delete button on your keyboard -once- > ENTER or click Yes to confirm > close the View Files panel by clicking the [X] box in the upper right corner of the panel > Click OK at the bottom of the Settings Panel > Click OK at the Internet Options panel > Close Internet Explorer. Now re-open Internet Explorer and try to log in again.
If you've done all the above and you suspect a problem is due a corrupted install of Internet Explorer, you MUST find a version of 5.0-5.5 SP2, otherwise, Microsoft's site now (as of a few weeks ago) FORCES you to download 6.x SP1 or later release-version.
Be sure to restart your computer after installing. THEN YOU MUST FOLLOW THE IE 6 INSTRUCTIONS AT THE TOP OF THIS MESSAGE.
This should correct Internet Explorer problems.
************************
NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR: ****
************************
If you want, or *must* resort to using Netscape, try downloading the standalone Netscape Navigator version 4.08 and using it to access our site. The following link will get you directly to the download page for choosing the computer/operating system you are using and downloading that version of Netscape Navigator:
Be SURE that the following "http........downav" link occurs on a SINGLE LINE in order for it to work in your browser:
http://home.netscape.com/download/0730101/10002-en----_qual.html?cp=downav
IF YOU HAVE WINDOWS MILLENIUM ("ME") OR WINDOWS XP, CHOOSE THE 95/98/NT/2000 VERSION!
AFTER DOWNLOADING NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR 4.08, DO THE FOLLOWING:
**************************
GENERAL NETSCAPE SETTINGS:
**************************
With Netscape Navigator up and running: Press Hold down the Alt key and tap the letter "e" once to get to the Edit pulldown menu > Click Preferences > When the Preferences panel pops up, click the plus-box ( [+] ) to the left of "Advanced" on the left-side column of the Navigator panel > Click on the word "Cache" below "Advanced" > Below where you see "Document in cache is compared to documents on network:", click the radio button labeled "Every time". Then click the "Clear Memory Cache" button > click OK > Click the "Clear Disk Cache" button > click OK > click the OK button at the bottom of the Preferences panel > close Netscape Navigator > re-open Netscape Navigator > replicate the issue wherin you encountered your problem.
Generally, I also suggest you run Scandisk (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scandisk) in Standard Mode and with the Automatically Fix Errors checkbox checked. Then restart your computer (Start > Shutdown > Restart). When your computer restarts, try replicating your issue again and see if you still have the same problem. Scandisk should be run every day, Disk Defragmenter should be run AFTER Scandisk, but no more often than once every two weeks.
These links have helped me with computers generally:
http://www.pcpitstop.com
http://www.komando.com
http://www.langa.com
[Fred Langa, Senior Editor at Windows Magazine, is probably the best Windows tipster in the business.]
A good example of an unlimited-use service provider without these problems would be http://www.access4less.net ( $8 setup fee and $5.95 per month unlimited ). I use it and know that it works.
Hope this helps someone here. Your questions and comments are always welcome.
Roger
Roger Wasson
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
MCSE MCSA MCDBA CCST
Instant Messaging (all systems): neworbits