connection was refused when attempting to contact www.classmates.com

I keep getting the message "the connection was refused when attempting to contact www.classmates.com" whenever I try to go to this site (use Firefox/Mozilla as a browser). Interestingly, I also get an error message ( "the page cannot be displayed ") when I try to access the site using IE...
I'm able to access the site on my laptop, so it's not an ISP problem.
Any suggestions as to how I might resolve this? I'm just using Classmates.com as an example; the problem also occurs with a few other sites (way more with IE than Firefox, though). Thanks!

 

No problem with Moz1.7.1. I went no further than the initial webpage.
But, there are some sites which recognize NS7.1, but do not recognize Mozilla.
One example is the Weight Watchers website. I got a reply, which suggests that they do not want want to mess with software which will not be around for long time.
Interesting that you are having problems with IE.

 

Hi rebecca,

When someone receives that error, my first thought is that their Firewall may be the problem. Try disabling your Firewall and then see if you can access the site.

Look in your Cookie Manager to see if there is a Cookie for the site, if so remove the Cookie, clear your Cache, and try the site again. Could be a corrupt Cookie. If still no joy, then open the Cookie Manager, and add the site to your "Exceptions" list. That is done here:
Tools | Options | Privacy | Cookies

I had no problem with either Mozilla 1.7.1, or with Firefox 0.9.2. Do you use the HOSTS file to prevent adware/spyware?

Since you are unable to access the site with both Firefox and IE, then there is some setting which is preventing access.

Ramona

 

Thanks for your help, Ramona!
I cleared my cookie cache, and added classmates.com to my "exceptions" list, but I'm still getting the same "connection refused" message.
I don't know what you mean by HOSTS file. I have Spyblaster and AdAware installed on my computer, and I run them both regularly.
I don't think I have any firewalls on my computer (how would I verify that?)
Thanks!

 

Rebecca, in order to be effective your firewall should be on at the startup, and you would see something about it in the taskbar. Firewalls can be the free ones, like Zone Alarm, or sygate ,or expensive ones, like from McAfee or Norton.
I don't use the Windows Hosts, and you obviously don't either, but you may have, unknowingly blocked something with either of your anti-spyware programs.
I remember that I allowed everything Adaware was finding to be blocked. And, this hurt my ability to use the sponsored version of Eudora. And, I never got it back, even after restoring the item.
This time, I went deeply into the site. And, now it recognizes my wife's name, and comes up with her class. I can't see a thing which would cause the problem.
I checked Mozilla Firefox. I have v.0.9.2. and, it works fine. I am logging in now Which version do you use?

 

OK, maybe I should've rated myself "beginner" here rather than "intermediate ", because I don't even know how to determine which version of Firefox I'm running! The exe file I ran was named FirefoxSetup-0.9.2.exe, if that's of any help (actually, the numbers match your version, so that's probably it).
You may have hit the nail on the head with the AdAware conflict (the classmates.com connection problem long predates my installation of Spyblaster) - I need to check my laptop to see if I ever installed AdAware on that (because I *am* able to access the website with my laptop). I don't have access to the laptop right now, but I'll take a look tomorrow and get back to you to let you know for sure.
Thanks!
Rebecca

 

To determine any version: Help|About whatever. But, it seems like you have Firefox 0.9.2.
I never quite figured out the Adaware problem, which went away when I got my new computer. But, I reinstall Eudora 6.1, and Adaware 6.0 has not complained.
As for finding anything in Adaware, you should open the program, and click on Open blocked, to see if it tells you something useful But, I had the problem with Adaware 5.x. I don't know if the recognition has changed or what.

 

Mystery solved, I think!
Once I was able to open the .dat file email from classmates.com (I think *you* were the one who solved that one for me - many thanks for that!, I found something in the email about "if you're having trouble accessing classmates.com, go to https://secure.classmates.com/static/kazaa.tf ". I checked it out, and lo and behold:

>>Is KazaaLite installed on your Windows computer? If so, you may have a setting on your computer that prevents you from accessing Classmates.com. To restore your access to Classmates.com, run the Classmates CARE Utility (download now). This will not affect your ability to use KazaaLite.>>

I have KazaaLite on this computer, but not on my laptop. I'm downloading the Classmates CARE Utility now, and as soon as I've done some scouting around online as to its authenticity/safety, I'll install it, and I have faith (!) that I'll once again be able to access the site.

Wow, is there any way I would've ever been able to track down THAT conflict on my own? I wonder if the problems I've had accessing occasional other sites are related to something similar.

You guys at this site are terrific! Thanks for providing the rest of us with such prompt help and solutions!!
Rebecca

 

FYI, the classmates.com / kazaa lite patch worked. After nearly 2 years of trying, I can finally access the site again!

 

rebecca,
Might not be a bad idea to change from Kazza to WinMX. Does same thing, without the spyware
WinMX

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I deliberately went with Kazaa Lite a couple of years ago (as opposed to regular ol' Kazaa) because I'd heard it came without the spyware associated with the full-fledged version of Kazaa. But in light of what just happened here, I think I'll take you up on WinMX!
Rebecca