Cannot access secure sites - IE / Win XP

Dear All,

IE in a laptop running Windows XP (Wireless connection, have not checked with the wired connection, since we don't have a cable at the moment, if that would make any difference) is not allowing access to secure sites. I have checked on the web and followed the common suggestions, checking on settings in the Internet Options (like enabling SSL, TSL, 128 encryption, even adding the sites in the trusted / allow list etc etc), but just cannot get to the secure pages

Any suggestions people? Thanks a lot in advance.

 

Does it work with Firefox?

 

Nope. Tried that too.

By the way, IE was the older version, so tried getting in the newer one and with the latest IE, the internet doesn't work at all. Had to sys restore back to the previous version and at least use the internet, without access to the secure sites.

Has this got something to do with any ports or anything?

PS., I'll check back here tomorrow morning people (It' almost an hour past midnight want to catch some sleep). Please leave your suggestions / tips, and thanks again in advance.

 

What errors do you get when you try to connect to a secure website? Can you post a screenshot? Are you running XP SP3?

 

What's your Internet Connection speed? The pages might be timing out.

What are the Secured sites you're trying to access. Maybe you can send a link to one for us to test. Might be an issue with the site itself.

 

Thanks for the replies, people.

Just the usual 'cannot connect or display page' thing, with a list of possible troubleshooting steps that could be done - the usual things like checking internet connection, clearing cache and stuff under internet options etc. I'll get a screenshot later (sorry I don't have the laptop right now at work )

The connection speed is ok and the internet / modem' are all fine, including the wireless connectivity. The other laptop works well (wired / wireless), wifi on my phone is great as well. So no problems with the connectivity.

We can access all site normally. But lets say, we open facebook, when you click login, it doesn't go anywhere. I thought it could just be the site. But then I checked my institutions webmail, gmail, yahoo, windows live, etc, but none works beyond the login page. Then I realized anything with https:// doesn't get me through.

 

Just happening?

Try a restore? A virus scan? Check your firewall settings?

cheers ...

 

Yes, it just happened since yesterday evening. I asked my friend if she installed / uninstalled something or changed something and she said no.

Tried system restore - didn't work.

Virus scan - not done. I will check on that and do that later today. Thanks, QHN.

Firewall settings - to my knowledge and from what I found on the web and here in NBR, it was all fine.



So there.

 

Virus scan was done and the laptop is clean. Also, as I had mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with the connection. Both the wired and wireless connectivity is fine fine on two other laptop', a mobile phone, etc. Also, in this laptop (the one with the problem), the internet is fine. It's just the access to the secured sites which is the problem. So, basically, can't check emails, login anywhere and such problems.

 

Sounds like firewall to me and it doesn't sound like you are certain it is not

Control Panel > Security Center > click Firewall on the left, click CHANGE SETTINGS, click ADVANCED, click RESTORE DEFAULTS

reboot

 

Thanks @ Gerry.

Well, I did check with the trouble shooting instructions on the web and it all looked fine. Anyway, I will check again on the firewall and I think it' something to do with the firewall too. But it' just that I don't know what. But I will try what you said.

Meanwhile, I don't know if it could be something to do with NIS 2005 and its firewall settings. But my friend told me she had a similar issue with NIS 2005 before in another laptop of hers and she simply uninstalled it, and everything was fine. But I have no idea what exactly happened then, and she just said she uninstalled it.

Anyway, I will do the restore defaults thing, and if it doesn't work, I will uninstall NIS 2005 (wonder why she still has such an old version) and may be get in one of the free AV's or the latest NIS. I will get back soon.

Thanks

 

Whoa, you did not say you had NIS 2005. What I suggested applies to the built in firewall of Vista

NIS--Uninstall, termininate with extreme prejudice. That is without a doubt the problem

In Programs and Features, uninstall, then download the Norton Removal Tool (google it), and run that to remove everything left behind.

 

Yeah yeah, was a bit confused there. Anyway, NIS 2005 gone with the NRT and everything. Now it seems fine, and with no problem. Yeah, looks like NIS 05 was the problem.

Btw, now the latest NIS has been installed and it' working without any problem.

Thanks a lot again, Gerry.

 

Actually, if NIS 2005 was completely uninstalled and then reinstalled, it probably would have worked. Installing NIS 2009 (2010?) will not neccesarily prevent it from happening again.

I have encountered this numerous times with NIS and Zonealarm.

Some people will blame the end user, saying that you "chose" at what time or another to block secure sites, but I am convinced that these products unilaterally and without prompt do it.

At least now you know what is the likely cause next time it occurs (if?)

 

Oh well, yeah. and I hope it doesn't happen again.

But surprisingly, in my laptop, running NIS 2009 (or 2010 now), I never had this problem. Anyways

 

Never had it yet....

When it comes to computer protection products, people fall into two camps--they are crap, or they are worse than crap.

I happen to think they work great--until they stop working. I've fixed hundreds of computers over the years simply by removing Norton NIS. I still think they work very well, but I would never actually put them on my own machines.