Can't display a particular web site, others are OK

When I try to go to this particular web site to view a newsletter I subscribed to (by typing in "www.aweber.com" and clicking on Go) it fails, and I see this message: "You were trying to reach a web site which doesn't exist. In an effort to help you, we've searched the internet and provided some related Web sites below." None of the related web sites are what I want. However, when I type in the site's IP address, 207.106.239.74 and click on Go, the site appears! That's how I was able to subscribe. But I can't get to the newsletter!

I had my ISP's help desk look into this for me, but after a 40-minute session where they controlled my PC, it couldn't be fixed. They cleaned my caches, cookies, and everything else that wasn't nailed down, but nothing has worked.

By the way, I've tried this with Firefox 3.0.4 also, both with and without OpenDNS settings, and no way can I get to this web site. (Is it taboo or something?)

Can anyone help me fix this?

 

Steve,

No. I get a message that says (using Firefox): "Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at www.aweber.com." When I use Internet Explorer 6, I get a message that says: "This page cannot be displayed. The page you are looking for is currently unavailable." Even though I just looked at the page using its IP address. Really weird.

Frank D

 

No fix but just to let you know also using FF 3.0.4 with OpenDNS and the site works for me.

 

Steve,

Could this have something to do with my hosts file? I'm using HostMan to maintain and update my hosts file. I'll try replacing my hosts file with new updates and see if anything happens.

Frank

 

VOILA!!! Disabling my hosts file (I didn't even get to updating it) did the trick!!! I can now get to the site in one click! How do you think I should proceed? Should I do without a hosts file (as of right now) or try to fool around with a new one as made by HostsMan?

Frank

 

The site could well have been noted as a bad site (in my opinion it's borderline). If Hostman has logged it as a bad site then it's unlikely an update would fix your issue.

Have you searched your host file for an entry? You could always comment the entry out if it appears.

 

Steve, this is absolutely mind-boggling: I can get to the www.aweber.com home page, but the link to the newsletter (provided to me via e-mail by the author) still gives me the same old (no-go) messages? Here is the link from the e-mail: http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?techbite&ID=AEwMDBy0jIy0jBwEjGxcDAxcjBx0zAwsTJystAysAA==

I can't believe this. Why should this be such a problem?

Frank

 

Steve, mixed results.

I updated my hosts file and then searched for and found two entries for www.aweber.com. I deleted both entries, then cleared my Firefox cache. I still can't get to the newsletter in Firefox (same old message). However, I haven't tried closing and rebooting Firefox yet, which I will do after I finish this entry (so I don't lose this message).

The good news is that I finally have gotten to the newsletterin IE6!!!! Eventually I know I will get past the Firefox hurdle.

The only remaining question in my mind is -- why is www.aweber.com being blacklisted via my hosts file? And what will be the consequences of my having overridden the "ban" on it? I think I'll direct these questions to Steve Bass, the owner of the newsletter. Meanwhile, I think we can call this case closed.

Thanks for your help, Steve.

Frank

 

Success!

Icing on the cake: After I rebooted Firefox, I can now get to the www.aweber.com web site and to the newsletter!

So my hosts file was my problem all along.

But, as they say, all's well that ends well.

Frank D