Can't access lots of websites...

KiKi

Sorry, I know this isn't strictly moneysaving (or perhaps it is moneysaving seeing as I can't access shopping sites online), but I was wondering if any techies on here can help me.

I have a wireless broadband connection through Virginmedia, 10MB. No problems usually. Today, I can access sites like hotmail, OU, Digital Spy, Facebook, BBC News, Ebay, Google Maps, iPlayer and all my banking websites.

But I can't access Amazon, Boots, Sainsburys, Sky News, Marks and Spencers, and the MSE forums have been very dodgy to get into - in fact, as I posted this, it just brought up nothing!! The sites simply don't load. No error messages, but lots of them say "waiting for image..." at the bottom. Most of them don't even switch to the URL in the address bar - on the odd occasion it has switched to Amazon.co.uk but then still doesn't load.

I went to downforeveryoneorjustme.com and it confirmed Amazon is down - and STILL says that. However, downornot.com says it's up - as do friends on Facebook. I have re-set the modem, router and laptop, to no avail.

I use Chrome, but using IE makes no difference.

Is there anything I can do, or is it likely to be a Virginmedia issue? I have no idea, but it's very irritating!


Thanks to anyone who can help.
KiKi

dispossessed

It seems to me like you have approached the problem in a calm and logical manner - well done !

I think it might be worth undertaking a System Restore - back to a point in time when all was well (yesterday perhaps ?). Unfortunately you don't mention what operating system you are using. The link I posted here is for Windows XP.

Hope this helps,

Trevor

KiKi

Thank you, I'm on Vista. All seemed well yesterday, but I didn't go onto any shopping sites. I'll need to check what I will lose through a restore, though - I work from home and have done work etc today.

May be a stupid question, but a system restore won't re-set passwords for websites, will it (logic says no, but just checking...). After the possible MSE security breach I changed passwords last night for banks and things like that, so don't want to undo all the good work I did!

I'm also running a virus scan, just in case, but nothing so far.

KiKi

Dustykitten

We are having similar problems today. I can't access Johnlewis website. DS can't access his .com own page. I think there is something going on out there in the fog.

We use virginmedia and chrome too.

GeoffX

I've just tried John Lewis' site and it seems to be working.

You could try using an anonymous proxy to see if the web sites are working, but for security reasons don't try banking services or commercial sites you might be logged into. For instance, enter a site's address at http://anonymouse.org/anonwww.html. For extra security use a different web browser, for instance Opera.

Swan_2

I've been having the same problem all day, it's affecting one desktop connected by ethernet cable, which is my main machine, & a laptop with a wireless connection that's been turned off for the past week, so it's unlikely to be anything I've done/downloaded lately
Virgin BB, both running XP

a neighbour has the same happening, Virgin BB, W7 on a laptop with wireless

all using Firefox, but I've tried IE & had same result

there's a post on the DS site which seems to be a similar issue, looks like something's up with Virgin :think:

dispossessed

It is essentially the same process to undertake System Restore in Vista.

I've checked the sites you mention ans all appear to be working.

Trevor

thescouselander

I'm on VM and have also been having problems

Swan_2

according to the link I posted above (now updated) VM are aware of the issue & hope to have it resolved by 7pm ... fingers crossed

wish I'd known that before I tried system restore & ran extra virus checks on 2 machines

thescouselander

Swan wrote: »

according to the link I posted above (now updated) VM are aware of the issue & hope to have it resolved by 7pm ... fingers crossed

wish I'd known that before I tried system restore & ran extra virus checks on 2 machines

Yes, perhaps you should have tried a few pings or traceroutes as a diagnostic check before taking radical action.

Swan_2

thescouselander wrote: »

Yes, perhaps you should have tried a few pings or traceroutes as a diagnostic check before taking radical action.

all that stuff you mentioned is Greek to me :cool:

so that's why I didn't do it



you were being ironic, weren't you?