Dialup does not stay up in Netscape.

Hello all,

I am running Netscape 4.77

I have a problem with my dialup. When I am on line everything works fine, I can download, get mail, etc....

If I stop to read the information on a web page for more than about 30 seconds, I stop communicating with my ISP. I can see my little computers in the tray lighting up on the bottom one but not the top one. When I check (put mouse over computers in tray) I am sending info but not receiving info. I cannot get it to restart and get server not available errors. I have to shut down Netscape, disconnect and reconnect, then restart Netscape to get going again.

This does not ever happen calling the same ISP on the same phone number from my kids computer. It does not happen on my computer using Explorer. I have tried removing Netscape and reinstalling but that does not fix the problem.

I tried everything I can think of, I hope your thinking caps are better than mine because right now I feel as dumb as a bag of hammers.

Looking forward to any assistance.

Bob

 

Hi Bob,

Here are a few troubleshooting ideas for you to try:

1. Check in Preferences|Advanced|Proxies
   Ensure that "Direct connection to the Internet" is enabled
   
2. When Netscape stops responding, close the application.
   CTRL+ALT+DEL and if Netscape is in the list, end task.
   If this allows you to browse, after restarting Communicator, then you have the "Phantom Netscape" bug. You might want to upgrade to Version 4.79, if this is the case.
   
3. Right-click the shortcut for Communicator and select Properties.
   Under Target, delete anything following
   "C:\Program Files\Netscape\Program\NETSCAPE.EXE"
   
4. You will not be able to connect if you do not have your service provider's DNS addresses entered into Dial-Up Networking. For the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers, contact your service provider. Once you have this information:
   
   Double-click My Computer.
   Double-click Dial-Up Networking.
   Right-click your connection icon and select Properties.
   Click the Server Types tab.
   Click TCP/IP Settings.
   Enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses.
   Click OK twice to exit.[/list=1]
   You've probably done #4 but wanted to cover all the bases.
   
   Let us know if any of the above solves your problem!
   
   Ramona

 

OK, here is where I am (Stated in ALL CAPS below):


1.Check in Preferences|Advanced|Proxies
Ensure that "Direct connection to the Internet" is enabled

IT IS.

2.When Netscape stops responding, close the application.
CTRL+ALT+DEL and if Netscape is in the list, end task.
If this allows you to browse, after restarting Communicator, then you have the "Phantom Netscape" bug. You
might want to upgrade to Version 4.79, if this is the case.

WILL TRY WHEN FREEZES AGAIN

3.Right-click the shortcut for Communicator and select Properties.
Under Target, delete anything following
"C:\Program Files\Netscape\Program\NETSCAPE.EXE"

LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE YOUR EXAMPLE

4.You will not be able to connect if you do not have your service provider's DNS addresses entered into Dial-Up
Networking. For the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers, contact your service provider. Once
you have this information:

Double-click My Computer.
Double-click Dial-Up Networking.
Right-click your connection icon and select Properties.
Click the Server Types tab.
Click TCP/IP Settings.
Enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses.
Click OK twice to exit.


DONE IN INITIAL SETUP


Maybe I should upgrade to the next level anyway, what do you think?

 

Thanks Bob, for the feedback. What throws me is that your kid's PC has the same setup but not the problem? I'm sure you've compared your ISP settings on both PC's. Does their PC also run Version 4.77?

I would delay upgrading until you can give us the exact error, the next time it occurs, and also check to see if you have the "Phantom Netscape" entry in your Tasks menu. Let's get rid of the problem first.

Once you get the error, restart Netscape, are you then able to browse without the hang?

Do you use a HOSTS file (not HOSTS.SAM) for blocking Adware/Spyware?

Something else you might try, is connecting with your DUN connectoid, then run Communicator. See if it hangs using that connection method.

Just for kicks: delete all your Cache files, including fat.db, netscape.hst., etc. Also delete all *.tmp files.

Ramona

 

Thanks for the fast turn around on your reply.

Kids run 4.77 also.

After it hangs and I restart it and reconnect, I still have the hanging problem. Restarting and reloading does not clear it up for the next session.

"Do you use a HOSTS file (not HOSTS.SAM) for blocking Adware/Spyware? "

Not sure what you mean by this, how do I know?


Something else you might try, is connecting with your DUN connectoid, then run Communicator. See if it hangs using
that connection method.

Don't know what this is either. Maybe I should change my experience level from experienced to
"STUPID ATTACKS REGULARLY "

 

Hi Bob,

"Do you use a HOSTS file (not HOSTS.SAM) for blocking Adware/Spyware? "

Not sure what you mean by this, how do I know?

If you don't know... then you don't have one. It's something that you would have done a lot of research on, and downloaded a file. Don't worry about it.

Something else you might try, is connecting with your DUN connectoid, then run Communicator. See if it hangs using that connection method.

Don't know what this is either. Maybe I should change my experience level from experienced to "STUPID ATTACKS REGULARLY "

LOL You have those too? I thought I was the only one.

To simplify, what I was suggesting, is to connect to the Internet by double clicking on your ISP icon on the Desktop, and then double click on Netscape icon.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Ramona

 

Bob,

Another thought. . . Do you use third-party download managers, such as GetRight, DAP, etc.?

 

No third party stuff for downloads. I just click and download files that I need.

I always establish my connection and then load Netscape. I just like doing it that way because sometimes I don't use Netscape and use a program called Agant for looking at newsgroups. However, I don't always use Agent on the times I get hung up on Netscape.

STUPID ATTACKS are VERY normal for me. Sometimes I get so frustrated I consider a format and reload of the entire system. I guess this is a small problem compared to what others have but it REALLY irritates me.

 

Bob,

I hear your frustration! Just gimme one of those error messages the next time it hangs, so we can get down to the bottom of this problem.

Ramona

 

I was sitting here typing that this was just like taking your car to a mechanic with a "PTOBLEM" but the car does not act up in front of the mechanic. Right then, it stopped, it even disconnected my phone line. I was asked if I wanted to reconnect. I clicked on NO and closed Netscape. I did a CTRL/ALT/DEL and the task manager showed Netscape as NOT RESPONDING. But it was closed before I went to the task manager so it should not have been in there at all.

No error messages.

 

O.K. Bob, I believe you have the "Phantom Netscape" problem. You can read a little more about it HERE

I would upgrade to 4.79, which you can download at either of these locations:

http://sillydog.org/narchive/
ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/communicator/english/

From Version 4.79 Release Notes:
Ghost processes present after shutdown problem has been greatly reduced.

Before your uninstall of 4.77, read this page for a "Clean Install ". This will give you a pristine install of your 4.79, and hopefully rid you of your Phantom.

Ramona

 

Thanks, Ramona.

I will make the changes and let you know how it goes. I have to leave town for a few days so It may be a while before I let you know how it works out.

I REALLY appreciate your help.