Ongoing problems in NN 4.7

I'm getting increasingly frustrated and irritated by Netscape Navigator's minor breakdowns and failures. In a Search Engine or in virtually any webpage, from time to time, I'll click the Go or Proceed button...and nothing happens.
This seems to occur more and more frequently, so I have to switch to IE5 and start over.
Is NN 6x free of these problems? I do hope so!

 

Ah Fitz,

Having more problems, and not liking it? Maybe we can help.

On your last thread, you were using Communicator 4.6, but I see that you now refer to Ver. 4.7. Is that 4.70 or 4.7x?

For your "hang" problems:

1. Do you get any error, i.e.,
   Document Done, or
   The Server does not have a DNS entry
2. When Communicator hangs, have you been viewing a page with heavy Java
3. Do you have GetRight, Download Accelerator Plus, or any other third party download manager installed
4. Do you use a HOSTS (not hosts.sam) file to block Adware/Spyware
5. Check in Preferences|Advanced|Proxies
   Ensure that "Direct connection to the Internet" is enabled
6. Right-click the shortcut for Communicator and select Properties.
   Under Target, delete anything following
   "C:\Program Files\Netscape\Program\NETSCAPE.EXE"
7. 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 consider upgrading to Version 4.79.
8. Try disabling programs from your Startup, one by one, to see if any of them are causing a conflict with Communicator.
9. Last but not least, delete your netscape.hst file, located in your Users\yourusername folder
   Empty your Cache folder, including fat.db
   Do a "Find" for *.tmp and delete all files [/list=1]
   
   A lot of questions, but your answers will enable us to to get to the bottom of your problem, thereby relieving your frustration! We like happy Netscape users.
   
   I would only consider using Netscape 6.2.1 Standalone, and then only to experiment.
   
   
   Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,
Thanks for this useful fault checklist.
I've worked through all that I can for now, and have to wait for a freeze before I can go through the other items on the list.
I guess my main concern, however, is not the shutdowns, which are always accompanied by the dreaded "illegal operation" notice (I hate that notice; it is so...police state!) but the fact that drop-down menus sometimes don't drop, where they do in IE5, GO ot PROCEED buttons similarly just don't work...Functions and expected actions are generally limited or don't work for no apparent reason.
Maybe I should upgrade, but I'm familiar with the NN interface, and don't need half the stuff that is on offer with NN 6.0. I'm quite happy with a WORKING version of NN 4.7, the one I have.

 

Hi Fitz,

It would be most helpful if you will copy the "illegal police state" warning and post it for me. I'm getting more and more bits of info from you now.

Drop down menus don't work
GO ot PROCEED buttons - I'm not sure to what you refer. Could you please clarify for me?

You also didn't say which Version of 4.7 you are using. That would also be most helpful. If it is 4.70, then I think an upgrade to 4.79 would be most beneficial.

In the meantime, try this:

Close Communicator
Rename your nsreg.dat file to nsreg.bak.
The file is located in C:\Windows

Restart Communicator
You will be prompted for a new profile name
Use the existing profile name

See if the new Netscape Registry might clear up your problems.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,
My reference to the "police state" is a comment on the language used in Windows 95 upward, when any programme is shut down with the message that an "illegal operation" or some such similar phrase is used. "Illegal" is hardly an appropriate adjective to use here. If I can, I'll get a screenshot of it and send it next time it happens, but I feel sure that you're familiar with it as it is the message that always pops up in the centre of the screen just before any programme is about to terminate because of some internal glitch.
The version of NN I have is definitely just 4.7, presumably 4.70, as no other number appears after the 7.

I've only recently reloaded NN after another recent problem with my e-mail, so everything should be reasonably fresh.
I've also noticed that this functional problem with NN occurs on my machine at work too, so I'm inclined to think that it might be a problem with NN rather than with my home PC. Within a growing number of internet pages, I've noticed that NN Version 4.60, our standard browser where I work, is having problems activating any number of command buttons.
A good example of this is with my webmail service. I have serious problems accessing my mail in NN, with wierd messages from the webmail service (Breathe.com) telling me that the message no longer exists when it clearly does, or having difficulty getting into the account when a message pops up indicating that my username and password are no longer valid.
I've sent 4 e-mails to the ISP about this over the last month, but have never received a reply.
However, I don't appear to have any of these problems with IE5.

 

Hi Fitz,

I thought your reference was humerous, and that's why I quoted you.

The message itself can be productive in solving your situation. If the error is Netscape.exe has caused an error in..... The module itself is often the clue to a solution. BTW, you won't be able to post a screen shot, but if you want to upload it to a personal web page, we can take a look.

Your 4.70 is quite antiquated, and as you are obviously having problems, I would suggest upgrading to 4.79. The Java is updated, the Back Door Orifice security vulnerability fixed, the Netscape "Ghosting" bug, Java hang bugs, fixed, etc., etc., etc.

You might want to check out the Release Notes for newer Versions, in the "What's New" section. I have Versions 4.70-4.79 listed HERE

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona and thanks for your really prompt reply.
I think I will download the 4.79 version of NN as you suggest, though some of the problems with my browser seem unknown to me, but could well be the root cause of several malfunctions.
I particularly don't like the sound of "Back Door Orifice security vulnerability" and would be glad to see the back of that!

 

Hi Fitz,

Good move on your part. Here are the best download sites:

ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/communicator/english/

and

http://sillydog.org/narchive/

Remember to do a "Clean" install. Rid your PC of all instances of Netscape.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona,
Sorry to be pedantic, but can you just remind me of how I should prepare the download and clean out the previous Netscape version? Do I need to visit the Registry? (This always makes me nervous!)

 

A small reminder

Hi Fitz,

I don't mind at all. I have it all laid out on this page: Performing a "Clean" Install

You will also need to perform STEP TWO, as you are experiencing multiple problems.

Post back and let us know the results!

Ramona

P.S. the Security Hole I referred to is the "Brown Orifice" and affected Versions 4.74 and earlier. It is named in a reference to the popular hacker tool BackOrifice.

From: http://www.netscape.com/security/
The Brown Orifice Vulnerability

This vulnerability has been identified in Netscape Communicator versions 4.0 through 4.74 on Windows, Macintosh and Unix operating systems. This vulnerability does not affect Netscape 6. Netscape has released Netscape 4.76 and Netscape 6, which are not subject to this vulnerability.

 

Ramona,
I haven't neglected your advice, but am waiting until my next ISP billing month begins shortly, as I think the 2.5 hour download time will take me over my current limit!