Windows Vista Can't login to secure websites

Hi, I have a windows machine here that is having trouble connecting to secure protocols. I have tested https in IE and FF as well as trying to connect with putty to my ssh server. Both failed every time.

The system is running Windows Vista SP1. It is a HP DV7-1135nr Notebook. I have tried mail.yahoo.com, gmail.com, Microsoft's secure websites, and a few others that require going through a https connection.

I've tried disabling the windows firewall and that failed. I've tried connecting to two separate networks, that was a no go. I have been googling around for solutions including making sure that the ssl 2.0 and ssl 3.0 are ticked in IE, I have verified that the sure protocols are enabled in firefox and they are still unable to connect. I've even temperarly opened port 443 in the windows firewall but didn't succeed.

I'm sure there are other options but I've pretty much ruled out the possibility of a problem on the routers, modems, and isps. Tonight, I'll try connecting via a wire to see if the wireless is at fault. I can successfully connect to them through a web proxy or by using a VM but that requires too much overhead in order to connect.

This is my mom's laptop and she needs it to pay bills and such. Currently she has to resort to other machines to get the job done. VMs are a whole nother world to her. Please help me, thanks.

 

Look on the website/s for information. They should have discuss connection problems. Do they all need a special port open (like port 443)?

If you can connect with a proxy server, I might suspect settings in the router or maybe the modem. Look in their instructions/manual for how to check the settings.

If the sites mention that they use a special script, for example Java, look at updating it.

Matt

 

I want to clarify a few things, the proxy server I tried connected me to gmail over a http to the server and then https from the server to gmail. A bit insecure if you ask me.

The two networks are completely separate, different router, modem, and isp. The only change I've done that could've caused this is when I disabled ipv6 on the wireless adapter's settings.

Yes, the sites she needs to access include yahoo, gmail, her online bank accounts, and many others that require https to login.

Java can't be the case since anytime she or I try to access a https url, like https://mail.google.com, we get a "server cannot be found" or something like that. The connection can never get established. I have even tried to use ssh to proxy to one of my servers but I just get a Connection Refused when using putty.

It must be something to do with the operating system's ability to connect to anthing requiring a secure certificate. I have even cleared the stored certificates in IE but that didn't solve the problem.

Also, the two networks I'm using it on have multiple computers connected over lan. The home network have 5 computers connected by wire and the work network has 3 computers connected by wire. I know the problem it not in the routers and modems because the same websites work on the other machines and because I have inspected both routers and there is nothing there that could be causing it. The modems are just passthough devices for connecting to dsl and cable networks.

I'm running out of ideas to try. Thanks again for the help.

 

I tried to Use the System File Checker (Sfc.exe) tool to scan all Windows File Protection (WFP)-protected files but windows encountered a problem. It found some corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. I am unable to view the log file so I can't find out what failed.

Re-registering the dlls didn't either. I have disabled ipv6 on both the wireless and wireless connections.

I'm going to boot puppy linux to by-pass the stupid permissions. :evil: Will post back on the results.

Update: That file is too complicated to understand. Do you mind telling me what Microsoft update caused this problem?

Also, would installing SP2 remedy the problem, do you think?

 

Well, today, I tried to dig a bit more into this stuborn problem. First thing I tried was booting into safe mode to see if it could open a secure web page, e.g.: https://www.google.com.

It failed. I tried to remove the drivers for the wireless and wired adapters but that failed too. So I boot back into normal mode and have been fiddling with the systems settings since.

I've tried to temporarily disable the windows firewall and opening port 433 after enabling it but both attempts failed. I've tried every solution on MS's web page but nope, nada, zip.

I'm afraid I may have to reinstall vista or use system restore to "guess" where it started to occur. My mom said it started to happen about 2 weeks ago.

Would someone mind telling me what blasted Microsoft update might've started this annoying problem? I mean, what good is a laptop if you can't use it to check your email, right?

 

Yep. I've keep seeing those suggestions posted in numerous websites I've come across but those susure websites are still dead.

Will do once I can gain access to the laptop again.