Netscape Won't Connect To Internet

Hello. I have been unable to connect to the internet for several hours with my Netscape 7.0 Browser. I keep getting unable to connect message no matter what site I try to access.

I thought it was the internet cable connection but a call to the provider ruled that out. The modem works fine and I discovered I can connect to the net using my Internet Explorer browser BUT Netscape has always been my browser of choice which I have used for years and never experienced this particular problem before.

My O/S is Windows XP and my computer is a Dell. I have no router, the modem is connected directly to my one computer. I believe the Dell firewall is activated but it has never kept me from accessing my internet cable connection to date.

Hopefully someone can give me some good suggestions to fix this. Would updating to the latest version of Netscape do any good?

Thanks in advance.....................

Larry

 

Larry,

What I would do is this:

Check your settings here: Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Proxies
Ensure you have enabled: Direct connection to the Internet

Disable your Firewall - Can you connect now?
If not:
Disable your AntiVirus - Can you connect now?

More times than not, it is one or the other which prevents a connection.

I doubt if it will help to reinstall. But... you certainly do need to upgrade your browser. Give some serious thought to either Mozilla 1.7.12, which is actually Netscape with no AIM or Webmail access from Mail & Newsgroups. Then there is the terrific Firefox and Thunderbird, which runs circles around Netscape and Mozilla, altho I am prejudiced in this regard. Either way you go, you will be much more secure, as there are many security vulnerabilities in Netscape 7.0.

If none of the above help, let us know...

 

Hi Ramona.
I checked my settings and they are in the proper place.
I tried disabling my firewall AND AntiVirus and I still cannot access the net with Netscape. NO problem doing so with Internet Explorer but I prefer the former.

Any other suggestions? I would like to get it working but will consider switching to another browser like Firefox. A friend of mine has it and it seemed good the one time I used his PC. Would I be able to transfer Netscape bookmarks and my email address book to another brand of browser like Firefox?

Larry

 

Larry,

When you install Firefox, it will automatically migrate your Netscape Profile, and the same will happen with Thunderbird. Thunderbird will automatically migrate your Mail, plus Profile settings.

You also checked your Preferences to ensure that the Direct Connection to Internet was also enabled?

Let's fix this problem, however, before moving to another browser. You don't want to take a problem with you.

Have you ever had any version of Netscape, other than 7.0 installed? Mozilla?

 

Hi Ramona,
Yes, I checked Preferences in Netscape Communicator and the Direct Connection to Internet was enabled.

I've had other versions of Netscape over the years but never used Mozilla. If there's ever a problem, I use IE to access a site but that rarely happens.

I THINK with my current PC, I've only had 7.0 but am not 100% sure.

Hope this helps!

Larry

 

Larry,

Look here: C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE\

Do you have this folder, and if so, is there a subfolder of GRE? I ask because there is a bug in Netscape 7.1 called the installer bug, and it renders Netscape deader than a doornail. You can't start the program, thus why I asked if you had ever had any other version of NS installed.

 

Hi Ramona,
I don't see any subfolder. I clicked on GRE and a folder entitled 1.4f_2003062408 came up. I clicked on that folder and got the following folders: components, ipc, plugins, Setup GRE and uninstall. There are also two other files there called mozipcd and zpixcleanup. Hope this helps!

Larry

 

Larry,

O.K., do this:

Back up your Profiles Folder(s)
Back up your Plugins Folder(s)
Uninstall Netscape using Add/Remove

Delete the following folders:
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape\
C:\Program Files\Common Files\mozilla.org\GRE

Clear the C:\WINDOWS\temp folder

Reboot your PC

Now reinstall Netscape, and see what happens...

 

Hi Ramona,
I don't want to appear too ignorant but I'm not 100% sure how to back up my files and where to locate the Profiles and Plugins Folders.

And if I'm uninstalling Netscape, how do I get the version I'm reinstalling after I reboot. Won't I lose my bookmarks and address book this way?

Larry

 

Larry,

Goodness, never ignorant, just inexperienced. To backup you simply copy the Profiles folder and copy it to another folder on the HD, or if you have other storage media copy it there, i.e., Zip drive, or to CD. The Profile folder, however, will not be affected by the uninstall, but it's a good practice to back up the Profile frequently. If you have no storage media, then create a folder on the HD, name it C:\Backup. By backing up your Profiles frequently, you never have to worry about losing Bookmarks, Address Books, Mail, etc.

Your Profile folder is located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles

NOTE: These files are hidden by default.
To see hidden files:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options
2. Click the View tab
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files. "
5. Click OK.

Your Netscape Program Files would be listed here:
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape
PLUGINS: C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape\plugins

If you have no copy of the Netscape full install, then by all means download the file before uninstalling. You can download Netscape 7.0 Streamline here:
ftp://ftp.sillydog.org/pub/sd/ns7/netscape70_sd701.exe - 13 MB

This version has no AIM and you have the choice of whether or not to install specific components if you do a "Custom" install. I would highly recommend the "Custom" install.

Let us know if you have further questions...

 

Hi Ramona,
My apologies for the delayed response as I appreciate your help. I have not done anything yet as there is information I need in Netscape mail and I do not want to risk the chance of deleting it permanently before I've gotten everything I need from it which should be in a few days.

I had three questions, first -- when I delete Netscape per your instructions, does that also delete Netscape Mail as well? I am afraid of losing a lot of old emails I need for reference. Will it come back intact when I reboot and reinstall Netscape?

Second -- In lieu of deleting files and reinstalling Netscape, would upgrading to Netscape 8.0 in anyway override or copy over the problem I'm having with connecting to the net?

Third -- is there some way to copy my address book from Netscape Mail 7.1 over to another mail program like Outlook Express or Thunderbird? I would hate to have to recreate a few hundred addresses if I can avoid that.

Thanks in advance. I appreciate your advice. I will let you know if everything else you told me fixes my Netscape browser which I expect to work on end of the week.

Larry

 

No, it will not delete Netscape Mail. Have you copied your Profiles folder to a backup folder? This is also insurance that you will NOT lose any personal data from the Profile.

Netscape 8.0 has no mail component, and is a standalone browser. Is this what you want?

Again, if you have made a copy of your Profiles folder, then there is no problem with losing your Address Book. To answer your question directly, yes, you can import the Address Book from within Thunderbird, and IE.

I think your problem might be the GRE file. But be certain to follow the instructions to the "T ". Ensure, however, that you have downloaded the browsers and/or Mail clients before uninstalling Netscape.

It might be a good idea for you to read the entire thread again, as I had already given you the answers to these three questions. It's always a good idea to refresh your memory...