Continual "This page can't be displayed" errors. Corrupted? Need tune-up? or new laptop?

[UTUSN]

It's 3 1/2 yrs old. My usage is basically minimal - e-mail and a handful of websites.

For the past couple of weeks, the e-mail (Windows Live Mail + big/free provider) and Favorites have been failing the first or second times loading with the error message below. A lot of the times, Refresh in the address bar works. Sometimes it goes so far as to need to do a new Google Search for the website, where it has loaded so far.

My internet provider is a local outfit. I know, my upload/download #s are bad (I'll do the speed test here: ) Ping 26 ms. Download speed 2.97 Mbps. Upload speed 0.31 Mbps.

The speed test advertising says, "Try a faster (whatever), Google Chrome." I'm totally low tech, is this something?

Is it my router, which is also old? Sometimes I have to disconnect and reconnect to get an internet connection.

**********ERROR MESSAGE********
This page can’t be displayed
Make sure the web address https://mail.google.com is correct.
Look for the page with your search engine.
Refresh the page in a few minutes.
**************************

Windows 7 Home Premium
Copyright 2009
Helett-Packard
Notebook PC
Rating: 5.9 Windows Experience Index
Processor: Intel Core i5 CPU M450 @ 2.40GHz 2.40 GHz
RAM 6.00 GB (5.80 GB usable)
64-bit Operating System

[UTUSN]

1. O.K., another (fresh) error message: "417 Rate limit exceeded for engine pages"

For a page from a website that was otherwise working. Trying the page again, it worked. Then got the "This page can't be displayed" when trying to get back to DU.

[ucrdem]

2. Win 7 has a pretty good network checker

And HP probably has one for your machine too if you still have the OEM package on there. If not you can probably download it from HP. But yeah I vote router. Maybe try updating software if you have the documentation or help files somewhere, or just a double reboot (router & PC). Could be a virus or your ISP too, but your numbers look like mine except upload looks a little slow. Okay that's my $.02, good luck!

[UTUSN]

3. Thanks, the router sounds like a possibility just because it's old.

I have no idea where to find the network checker, will look under "Tools".

[ucrdem]

4. Is it wired, wireless, or both?

If both, you should probably unplug your ethernet cable and just go wireless. To check network connection I'd try putting "network connection" into the search box. There are other ways, like clicking the network icon in your system tray, clicking network neighborhood, and then clicking the connection when it shows up, but I don't remember the exact sequence. But there are really thorough networking help files and troubleshooters in Win 7 which is one of the things Win 8 lacks.

[UTUSN]

5. Thanks, but I'm in over my head. Tried googling "windows network connection"

and the instructions went to a typing commands that I won't go to. I'll look at the Help files.

As for the wired/wireless, uh, the printer and 2nd computer connect from other rooms so, wireless?

Thanks, don't waste too much time with me. The depth of my low tech is awful.

[ucrdem]

6. LOL. Yeah there's a numerical address you plug into your browser address bar

to get to your router controls, but I wouldn't try that until you've let Win 7 and/or HP do their thing. Once you find the troubleshooter you're good to go, but if that doesn't do it maybe try HP's, then try fiddling with the router as a last resort. Once you get into the router you might need passwords and that's a PITA. Usually the passwords are simple, like 1234, and printed in your manual, which you can probably download. Updating router firmware is kind of tricky because if you blow it your router is hosed so be careful with that one. On the other hand a new wireless router at Frye's is $40.00. Anyhow good luck!

[ucrdem]

17. The network troubleshooters are in the control panel under troubleshooting:

This is from a Win7 lappie. Network adapter is the one I'd start with, then incoming connections. Good luck!

[UTUSN]

18. Thanks, found it. Got "Troubleshooter couldn't identify the problem" -

Because it says "THE" problem instead of "A" problem, it leaves doubt as to whether there IS a problem. Now I'm confused as to whether the modem/router is in play again or not.

[ucrdem]

19. Def modem/router.

Didn't realize you had a two-piece arrangement but unless your ISP has some proprietary device they make you rent I'd replace both with a new wireless router/modem. Better security for one thing. You can get 'em cheap but from experience I'd spring for a $75 name-brand because the documentation is likely to be a little more comprehensible if you get my drift, and you want your router-modem setup to be as painless as possible!

[jtuck004]

7. Does it happen on your other computer as well? n/t

[UTUSN]

8. I'm told by the primary users that it doesn't happen with that computer. However, my Kindle

that does wireless on the same router *does* the same stalling error thing.

[jtuck004]

9. Well, one common thing between those two is your router,. You also wrote

"Sometimes I have to disconnect and reconnect to get an internet connection. "

Do you mean disconnect and reconnect the router or your computer?

Several things happen when you go to a web site. You type a name in, and there is way the computers on the Internet tell yours how to find that. There are also connections between your computer and the server or place you are going to that depend on answers from the other side to continue doing things.

If it is the first the problem, happening on more than one computer connected to it, and assuming nothing has changed, mostly points to the router, the ISP - things that are shared, though it could be the computers too. The ISP is usually pretty good, (they spend a bit more than we do making sure everything is working, usually), and normally routers just keep going, but I wouldn't cross it off.

The other problem tends toward pointing toward the software on either end, assuming the connection is staying up across a consumer router. Could be something else, but I would look at the computer first, and given that the Kindle is a different kind of computer, etc, may or may not be the same issue.

If it were me, and my laptop made it to 3 1/2 years without a re-install (unlikely ) would first re-install my computer. Over time, with the installs of third-party software, Microsoft updates, and perhaps deterioration of the equipment (drive) a little, it is possible everything is not up to where it should be.

I would make sure I have everything - docs, passwords, anything that isn't installed software, saved (which you should have copies of as well, for re-installing later) - go through it *thoroughly* to make sure - 3 1/2 years is a long time, things you may have forgotten. Gmail is already online.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN ACCESS ANY IMPORTANT SITE,, have the password info somewhere, and, again, get backups of everything you can't lose.

Then I would re-install the computer. Make sure it does an update and gets all the latest patches. If you are using MS Security Essentials, install and update that, or whatever malware thingy you have.

Then I would see if that changes anything.

After that (or before, if you wish) I would find the model or part or item number on my router and check the mfr's site for any updates. Then follow their instructions to install it. It's usually pretty well step-by-step, like a recipe. No big deal.

See if that changes anything.

After that I might consider looking around at new routers...

[UTUSN]

10. "disconnect/reconnect" = the modem for my local internet/DSL provider. Thanks

You've given me a lot to digest according to my dim lights. Will see what I can make of it.

[jtuck004]

11. Now it points back at the modem again. So in your setup do you

have a modem from your provider, and that plugs into a wireless/router that you own, or do you just have the one modem from the provider?

They are different, and affected by different things. The ISP provided router may have been appropriate for when they put it in, but they may have made software or hardware changes to their equipment that make it less than compatible with what they have today. Still works, but...

In that event you need to replace their modem, and added to what you just said I would probably try to replace it. That's probably no cost?

[UTUSN]

12. Yes, the modem is from the provider and it has a yellow ethernet? wire connected from the router

router is mine. So it sounds like I need to get the provider modem checked or replaced, but maybe a new router (because it's old).

And the "disconnect/reconnect" is the modem wire that plugs into the juice (not to the router). This is for the internet access, which the provider on the phone always tells me to do.

[jtuck004]

13. I had to have the drop replaced last year, mine started doing nearly the same thing,

and power cycling the modem was the only thing that seemed to offer temporary relief. A few years prior to that I had to replace the modem.

I think your best first thing would be to replace that modem and I would hazard a guess that your router doesn't have anything to do with this - it's just forwarding connections.

[UTUSN]

14. Thanks really for all you've told me. "the drop" thanks for talking to me like an Equal (which I'm n

not) - really, thank you.

[jtuck004]

15. Drop - The line from the pole to the house that the cable internet service

comes in on.

You have a line, buried or not that comes from your service drop to your house. It could also be causing problems, and they do deteriorate over time. They are often the problem child in keeping one from getting higher DSL speeds.

If I resort to jargon, just ask, it's not a problem. It's an occupational hazard.

As hard as this is to believe, I was once told that there are a people out there who actually do other things than live their lives around computers.

So I have had to come to the realization that not everyone has all this in their vocabulary

[UTUSN]

16. Really, thank you - good night n/t

[UTUSN]

20. *UPDATE* (if not necessarily "RESOLUTION") - I called my local provider (DSL)

Really, I think Post #19 is where we really are, that the modem/router is the problem, but I'm giving the provider a chance to do E.

So I described the error messages and asked whether the modem/router is the problem. They told me to hold while they "did something" with the modem and our internet connection. No explanation.

I got clarification: The modem is mine, bought from the provider. Yes, they have a newer model available. But they said that "unless something catastrophic happens" I should let this modem/router ride. So I said that I'd just give their "did something" a chance and if things aren't better, then will see about a new modem. They said that's the way to go.

Well, O.K. Haven't been working it much today/after they "did something," but have gotten a couple of "Oops! Internet Explorer can't find democraticunderground.com! Try reloading!" and when I Refresh/reload, it connects up.

So I guess I'm being told to suck it up.

[Drew Richards]

21. I have something I want you to try... A lot of times what you describe can be attributed to poor and

Failing dns responses... Go into you tcp/ip settings and hard code your primary dns to googles dns as a test ip is 8.8.8.8 secondary is 8.8.4.4 they with pause for a sec on lookups because they are so busy but are reliable and fast data query responses...i have my own dns servers but cant just have you query them sorry...


Basically im saying it could be your isps dns and or the dns they set up in the modem...some lazy fu##### just slap modems out there with 127.0.0.1 as primary and their own as secondary...querying loopback first 127.0.0.1 can cause all kinds of problems...

A way to see what dns you are using is go to a command window and type ispconfig it will show your ip ip gateway and injected dns...

Another way depending on version of windows is type in a command window nslookup and it shows you your dns right away.

It is probably not the issue but worth checking out...

Another thing you can do is run a traceroute from your computer to your isp's back bone and then reverse the process by going to a looking glass site and trace back to you....

If you need more assistance in doing any of this PM me I am not on call this weekend so I have some time I am just goofing off working on a voice switch...

Drew

[UTUSN]

22. Thanks. I've been putting off continuing this thread so as not to bother people more, but

The problems have continued the same after the local provider "did something." That is, especially Windows Live Mail takes two or three attempts before finally opening, and DU and the other few websites often start with a can't-be-found message until a Refresh is done. However, your level of expertise is WAY beyond me. I will never attempt going into command windows or all that simply because I don't know what I'm doing. When the error messages get to be intolerable, I will start with visiting the provider with the laptop and modem for them to "do something" physical or buy a new modem, or after that switch providers, or after that chuck the laptop for a new one.

[Drew Richards]

23. Message me ill walk you through it