Some sites wont open

Some sites are very slow to open – or just won’t open at all.

One is Imageshack – and I even have an account there. It doesn’t matter if I try to log in through the main page, or try to open a photo hosted there – or if I use my activation link that they emailed to me - it just wont open. I suspect it has to do with cookies – but I don’t want to delete all cookies for just a couple sites. I wondered if they deleted my account – but I can’t even get on their site home page. Just curious if they banned me (never got a notice) – so I tried to run with a proxy in case they are blocking me. But I never use a proxy and the couple proxy urls I found wouldn’t access the internet. So I must be doing something wrong – or the proxies dead.
Any help with this site - and help with using a proxy?
And where are specific cookies? Maybe they're hidden - I don't see them.
I have Win XP Pro, sp2 and IE 6.

Thanks,
Charlie

 

First of all, those not familiar with imageshack should be aware the (I think) legitimate site is http://imageshack.us/ . Not imageshack.com.

charlie_c--Is imageshack.us the only site where you are having this problem?

Do you run a HOSTS file?
It is rare that blocking cookies will prevent access to a site, but there are a few.
It could be that the site requires ActiveX controls and scripting to run. If you trust the site, put it into your Trusted Sites (uncheck the box "Require Server verification... "). Then try again.

 

ImageShack doesn't require ActiveX, cookies or JavaScript. I open it with any browser. Sounds like your setup is blocking it.

 

Part 1:
Well thanks for the suggestions, guys.
I ran BitDefender this A.M. and although I shut it off before it finished, it deleted Media Gateway - labeled a virus. No other explaination - but I can now open imageshack. Although some of my uploaded photos are gone - I can access the site, and there are some of my images still there.

Part 2:
Would anyone have any help about setting up a proxy?
I ran something called GhostSurf once - but lost access to the internet and had to do a system recovery to get access back. I don't want anything that fancy - but I understand it's not complicated or risky. But since that experience - I'm a little leary messing with something that works.
Certainly you should be able to run with a proxy, or without by just changing a couple settings. Or if major complication develop - reset to a previous date with system restore.
Does someone have a tutorial or good site for instructions with working proxies and support or a forum for assistance?
Thanks,
Charlie