Netscape won't start dialer

Since I downloaded some Windows updates a few days ago, my dialer won't start when I open Netscape. I have to start the dialer separately.

The solution may be similar to the one given in http://www.windowsBBS.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=476 but I don't seem to have Administrative Tools on my Windows 98 Control Panel.

 

Pekeman,

That setting is only for Windows 2000, you will not find it in Windows 98.

Your Internet Settings are in the Windows Control Panel. Netscape uses the default connection in Windows. That would be:

Start|Settings|Control Panel|Internet Options

Click on the Connections Tab to make your selection.

Post back if you continue to have problems.


Ramona

 

Thanks, Ramona.

The dialer now starts automatically when I open Messenger, but not when I open Navigator.

I got to the Connections tab per your instructions, then clicked on Settings and, following the cue from thread 476, clicked on "Automatically detect settings ".

Since that change, the dialer works fine with Messenger. However, when I start Navigator, the window opens and a dialog box appears stating that Netscape can't find the server for my home page. When I click OK, the dialog box closes and the dialer starts.

What am I missing?

Pekeman

 

Hi Pekeman,

Since that change, the dialer works fine with Messenger. However, when I start Navigator, the window opens and a dialog box appears stating that Netscape can't find the server for my home page. When I click OK, the dialog box closes and the dialer starts.

When you start Navigator, is Messenger still open? You might do a Ctrl+Alt+Del and see if Netscape is listed in the tasks list. If so close Netscape, then try Navigator.

With my Windows 98SE, the selections I have in Internet Options|Connections are:

Never dial a connection
Dial whenever a Network connection is not present
Always dial my default connection

To have autodial when you click on Netscape icons, you should select:
Dial whenever a Network connection is not present.

Your options may be slightly different depending on your version of IE.

Keep us posted.

Ramona

 

Thanks, Ramona.

When you start Navigator, is Messenger still open? You might do a Ctrl+Alt+Del and see if Netscape is listed in the tasks list. If so close Netscape, then try Navigator.

Messenger is not open when I start Navigator. Ctrl+Alt+Del confirms this.

With my Windows 98SE, the selections I have in Internet Options|Connections are:

Never dial a connection
Dial whenever a Network connection is not present
Always dial my default connection

I have the same selections with Windows 98FE.

To have autodial when you click on Netscape icons, you should select:
Dial whenever a Network connection is not present.

That's the setting I am using, and I believe I found the setting that way when I first checked the Connections tab yesterday.

As I start Navigator more and more times, I find that the dialer sometimes starts automatically and sometimes doesn't. It is as if there is a race condition between the process that leads to the dialog box and the process that starts the dialer.


Pekemen

 

Pekeman,

What Windows updates did you install? Let's check that out, since this seems to be when your problems began.

Ramona

 

Windows updates installed

I installed three updates, Ramona.
--------------------
(1) Q321232: Security Update (Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1) - version 5,50,4728,2400 - was successfully installed.
12:22:15 AM Wednesday, May 22, 2002 : 5386

Q321232: Security Update (Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2)
2171 KB/ Download Time: 11 min This update eliminates all previously addressed security vulnerabilities, as well as any newly discovered vulnerabilities affecting Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2. Download now to protect your computer from these vulnerabilities.


(2) Q314147: Security Update - version 1,10,101,0 - was successfully installed.
12:22:20 AM Wednesday, May 22, 2002 : 5393

Q314147: Security Update
159 KB/ Download Time: < 1 min This update resolves the "Unchecked Buffer in SNMP Service Could Enable Arbitrary Code to be Run" security vulnerability in Windows 98, and is discussed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-006. Download now to prevent a malicious user from running code of his or her choice or launching a denial of service (DoS) attack on your computer.


(3) Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and Internet Tools - version 5,50,4807,2300 - was successfully installed.
12:31:06 AM Wednesday, May 22, 2002 : 4795

Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and Internet Tools
471 KB/ Download Time: 2 min Download Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 and Internet Tools. This version of Internet Explorer includes improved support for DHTML and CSS, which gives Web architects greater control over browser appearance and behavior. Enjoy the ability to preview Web pages exactly as they appear when printed. Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 (SP2) makes it easier than ever to connect to the Internet and find the information you need. With Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2, you can use Connection Manager as your default dialer when Dial-Up Networking is already installed. Total download size for a typical installation is approximately 17 megabytes (MB). However, because setup only downloads files that are necessary for your computer, the size may vary between 6 and 17 MB.
--------------------

The sentence about Connection Manager caught my attention, but I don't know what to make of it.

The downloads also may have disrupted my ability to play MIDI music, but that's another story.

Pekeman

 

Hi Pekeman,

I'm also wondering about the 314147USA8.exe Security Update. I don't think you needed this one, unless your are networked, altho I'm not Windows literate enough to know if it will do you any harm. These are the statements from the MS Security Bulletin from which I made the decision not to install this update:

Yes, the Connection Manager with the IE5.5 SP2 would arouse some suspicion, as related to the problem you're having. I will tell you, however, that I upgraded to IE5.5 SP2 last week, and have encountered no problems from that upgrade. (Did I hear a gasp?) Did you use WindowsUpdate, or did you download the full install?

Why don't you check around to see if anyone else has had a connection problem since installing this particular update. I will do the same, and report back here with my findings.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,

I'm also wondering about the 314147USA8.exe Security Update. I don't think you needed this one, unless your are networked, altho I'm not Windows literate enough to know if it will do you any harm.

Microsoft says I can remove it, but I can't find the program that they say I should find in the Add/Remove list(Windows 98 Hotfix).

Did you use WindowsUpdate, or did you download the full install?

I used WindowsUpdate. What's your preference?

Why don't you check around to see if anyone else has had a connection problem since installing this particular update.

No progress on that front.

I removed the IE 5.5 SP2 & Internet Tools update this evening. I don't see any improvement; Navigator activates the dialer about 2/3 of the time. Furthermore, Messenger now does not always activate the dialer.



Pekeman

 

Hi Pekeman,

You might post on our Security / Virus Forum as to whether or not the Unchecked Buffer in the SNMP Service (Q314147) would have adverse effects on your system. I would do nothing just yet. Could be someone over there may have experienced your problems.

You might be able to uninstall the patch using Windows Update, since that is how it was installed.

Do you have a dial up problem with IE?

I use the Windows 98 Corporate Update, for Windows 98SE Critical Updates, and theIE Critical Updates page. I have learned the hard way to wait on installing the updates, as there have been problems with some of them.

I don't think that you needed to uninstall IE 5.5 SP2, but that's your choice. Since you have done this uninstall, I'm wondering if perhaps your configuration has changed on your DUN, and your "Connection" setting in Internet Options.

You might also try creating a new DUN connectoid and see if that may help, altho that's a shot in the dark. This is definitely a Windows problem.

I'm still looking for answers!

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,

It's getting interesting. I am reminded of the saying about alligators and draining the swamp.

I don't think that you needed to uninstall IE 5.5 SP2, but that's your choice. Since you have done this uninstall, I'm wondering if perhaps your configuration has changed on your DUN, and your "Connection" setting in Internet Options.

It was a not a good choice at all. I thought I was deinstalling just the last update, but the process took me back to IE4.01 SP2. Now I can't access the Windows Update site and my Control Panel/Internet/Connections tab looks quite different (fewer choices). I think my next step will be to try to reinstall a newer version of IE.

Do you have a dial up problem with IE?

No, IE starts the dialer reliably.

This doesn't look much like a Netscape discussion now, except for the fact that Navigator/dialer interface seems to have degraded, while the IE/dialer interface has not.

I'll be back with a newer IE.

Pekeman

 

Hi Pekeman,

It's a bit hard to concentrate on draining the swamp when you're surrounded by the alligators, non?

Well, bad news on the IE downgrade. A friend gave me instructions on how to download the full install of IE, then you can do a Custom install, and eliminate features that you're not interested in. Let me know if you want to do this, and I'll pass it on. You may already have this info...

Keep us posted,

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,

It's a bit hard to concentrate on draining the swamp when you're surrounded by the alligators, non?

OUI!

Yes, I would like to have your friend's instructions. I don't use IE on a day-to-day basis, but like it for three situations: (1) when things go really bad between Netscape and me (a rare, but not unheard-of experience), (2) as an alternate method of viewing the occasional web pages that doesn't look right with Navigator, and (3) to contact Windows Updates (I may do less of that in the future!). And an up-to-date IE seems to be necessary for managing my Internet connection settings.

Thanks,
Pekeman

 

Hi Pekeman,

Here are the instructions for downloading the full install:

1. Download ie5setup.exe, 500 KB
   
2. Run ie5setup.exe
   Choose this option:
   Install minimal or customize your browser
   
3. Advanced button
   
4. Check "download only" (all the options will be greyed out after you choose this)
   
5. Tell the installer where to download files...
   
6. Download all the files
   (around 25 MB and takes a while unless you have broadband)
   
7. It is recommended to do this at night or some time when you are not
   using the computer...
   
8. Burn files to cd if you have that capability... for posterity
   
9. After this is finished (finally), run ie5setup again, minimal/custom install, choose the options you want. Some are required. Press the advanced button, then select "do not associate with any files ".
   
10. Reboot.
    
11. No need to install vbscript unless you plan on using WindowsUpdate. If it turns out that you need it at a later date, you can pop in the cd and install that part of IE.
    [/list=1]
    ----
    
    I elected for the minimal components, and no vbscript. Then I installed a program called "Enough is Enough" which virtually locks down IE.
    
    I also followed the same procedure for IE6, as MS is phasing out the older OS' which also include the IE5 browser.
    
    These excellent instructions are courtesy of tranquilo
    
    Good luck!
    
    Ramona

 

Good news, bad news

Ramona,

I installed IE5.5 SP1 Sunday night and it seems to purring along. My thanks to you and tranquilo for providing the instructions, which are indeed excellent.

I have not entirely eliminated the dialer starting problem. Netscape Navigator failed to start the dialer in one try out of about ten so far.

Although that's not as good as before I installed the updates (5/22), it's better than any time since then. I think I'll try this for a while and see how it goes.

I'll be away for about a week; don't expect a status report until late next week.

Thanks again for your help.

Pekeman

 

Pekeman,

I'm so glad to hear that you were able to get IE 5.5 SP2 installed with no problems. Good news indeed.

Keep us posted!

Ramona

 

Since posting last, I have been away from the computer for a week and back for a week. In perhaps a dozen tries since I returned, Netscape Navigator has started the dialer every time. So the problem seems to be gone. Knock on wood.

By the way, Ramona, it was IE 5.5 SP1 I installed on June 2, not SP2. Because the problem occurred immediately after first installing SP2 on May 22, I wanted to stop short of reinstalling SP2, at least until I have a period of good experience without it. I shall reinstall SP2 eventually; I'll post the results here.

Thanks again for your help.

Pekeman