Can't Access HTTPS sites?

[JigPu]

I wasn't sure wether this should go in Networking or here, but since I think it's actually an IE problem, I'm putting it here :D

About a week ago, one of the computers on my network lost it's ability to access any HTTPS (SSL encrypted) sites (gives the "The page cannot be displayed" thing... can be seen at res://C:\WINNT\System32\shdoclc.dll/dnserror.htm). My sister has been bugging me about it because she can't check her e-mail, and my mom can't download her bank account into Money.

I thought that it was just ICS preventing it from working (even though it had worked for 2 weeks prior), so I moved it out and gave it a direct internet connection. It still dosen't work, so I think that some IE setting is messed up and not letting me view any secure sites.

What do you think could be doing this??
JigPu

[RED Hot Machine]

I would try clearing the cache, there maybe a cookie or simalar in there messing things up.

Also check the the privacy settings have not been changed in IE. Try adding the web sites you want access to into the allow list at the bottom of the privacy tab (IE 6).

[drshivas]

In addition, reset the privacy settings to one of the canned defaults, like medium, low, etc. Try an SSL site each time to see if the offending setting for reset.

[JigPu]

I've cleared everything that has a clear button, and I've set everything to default, but it still dosen't work.

I have no clue what the problem is now... IE (should) be completely normal, but it won't go. The sites themselves aren't down since I can access them across the network (even using this thing as the ICS server). Any other tips?

JigPu

[RED Hot Machine]

As a work around, how about install different web browser such as Opera.


Is IE completely upto date? if not download the latest updated from MS and see if that helps. They have a stand alone updater rather than the windows update.

[JigPu]

I'll try downloading another browser if updating dosen't work... *crosses fingers*

JigPu

[JigPu]

Well, since I couldn't manage to get IE to accept any updates I gave it, I tried downloading Firebird. It works, which definatly isolates it as a software problem. Now I just have to find out what's stopping IE...

At least I have a temporary solution in the meantime...
JigPu

[powerme]

as another user pointed out, you should try to use another browser to connect to internet. If this new browser connects successfully, there is something wrong with IE setting

if this new browser doesn't work, you need to call your ISP for help

or perhaps, you can use ping command from dos to ping www.yahoo.com to see if you receive any response at all

and another thing you want to try is try to go to different web site with IE to see if you receive the same error message or not

[JigPu]

Well that's the weird thing. It can connect to any site I want, so long as it isn't on an HTTPS protcol. These forums, google, yahoo, my favorites, random sites other people look at... It's all good. Once you need a secure login though (IE: bank account, MSN mail, Newegg's account page), IE goes to pot and dosen't show the page. Though Firebird does.

It's gotta be a setting problem, I just can't figure out what :D
JigPu

[powerme]

you have problem accessing ALL secure sites? am i correct?

did you ever think of re-installing IE 6 SP1 ? got try that :)

[JigPu]

Yes, all secure sites.

Can't install IE 6 SP1... It says that it allready has it and refuses
to install. I don't know if it ACTUALLY has SP1 on it (the version number metions XPSP1, but nothing about an IE service pack... but I can't read that long of a version number very well ;) )

JigPu

[powerme]

you give us a tough problem to solve

how long have you experienced this problem ?
ask yourself or another computer user "what did you do after IE worked properly?"

it's obviously that somebody did something. When this question is answered, you know what causes this problem.

if you have a back up for this computer, restore it

if there is none solution to solve this problem , repair winxp installation and re-download all windows update again

that should do it because it is the only quick and clean solution instead of waiting for 3 days to look for solution

[SinsFeelNatural]

sounds like your IE install has become corrupt and since it will not let you repair/install you need a nuke and pave but since it cannot be done in XP since IE is integrated into it's shell you need to run a sfc/scannow and make sure you have your XP disk handy

[Numbstruck]

help -- about IE -- update versions

will tell you about sp's

I didnt see, what OS did you say you were using?

[niter]

do this:

open up "internet options" (in the control panel)
goto the "advanced" tab
scroll down the window until you get to the "security" heading
check mark "use ssl 2.0" "use ssl 3.0" (if you want checkmark "use tls 1.0"
"apply" then "ok"
open a new browser... you should be set.

hope this helps... good luck.

[Newbie_Doo]

Also, you might want to check your router/firewall to see if you have port 443 blocked...

[JigPu]

SinsFeelNatural, what do you mean? Is that an option in the recovery console or something?

Thanks Numbstruck! I didn't even see that :) I'll try downloading updates again (in case I was actually downloading ones that were already in) and hope that it works.

Niter, I tried that, but it still dosen't work. I even turned on TLS like you mentioned but that dosen't do anything either.

Newbie_Doo, I told XP to allow connections on port 443, but it didn't work. I don't think I had any specific settings for port 443 before this happened, so I didn't really think that was the problem anyway.



Windows XP Home
P4 1.8Ghz
IE 6.0.2800.1106.xpsp1.020828-1920
Update Versions: SP1; Q810847; Q813951; Q813489

JigPu

[JigPu]

OK, the updating didn't work. Each patch I try to install, Windows complains that it didn't pass Windows Logo Testing, and won't install. I went to the driver signing options, and told windows to allways allow stuff that didn't pass, but it still pops up the same error.

I think I'm gonna end up having to do what SinsFeelNatural said, or just reformat this thing :D
JigPu

[Numbstruck]

if you cant update definatly run the sfc /scannow

[JigPu]

I just went and ran the sfc /scannow (with the help of a few PMs to SinsFeelNatural :D) but it didn't appear to do anything. It opened a window saying it would look for incorrect versions and stuff, but after a minute or two, it closed itself without looking like it actually did anything. A check on HTTPS shows that it didn't solve the problem even if it did actually do it...

Reformat is starting to look better and better :D
JigPu

[Numbstruck]

lol.....thats what i always do!

If its broken, and takes too long to fix......FORMAT TIME!

[powerme]

before you format the drive, can i suggest you to do 1 thing ???

check this link out

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318378

solution for you?

[Numbstruck]

if you read a couple posts up.....he already tried that

[JigPu]

Originally posted by Numbstruck
lol.....thats what i always do!

If its broken, and takes too long to fix......FORMAT TIME!
LOL, that's my mom's solution to everything as well :D I taught her the allmighty command, and now if I say anything's wrong, she'll joke with me to format it :D Looks like she'll get her wish!

JigPu

[powerme]

format a hard drive ??? this is your last resort and absolutely solve your computer problem :)

[powerme]

Originally posted by Numbstruck
if you read a couple posts up.....he already tried that

oops, my bad:D
thank you for pointing out

[Numbstruck]

Originally posted by JigPu

LOL, that's my mom's solution to everything as well :D I taught her the allmighty command, and now if I say anything's wrong, she'll joke with me to format it :D Looks like she'll get her wish!

JigPu


LOL you're brave my friend.....I wouldn't have the balls to teach my mom to format! Knowing my mom it'd probly create more work for me....haha

[JigPu]

w00t! I finally found the answer to the problem :)


SOURCE: The very last post at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1022113864
This issue is commonly created when Windows XP doesn't properly update to SP1, There's is a fix for it fastest way is to do 'Start->Run: regsvr32 softpub.dll' now this wont fix everyones problem noting you wont be able to properly install newer versions of Internet Explorer because your cretificate information is also corrupt, doing a system recovery to before the SP1 update fixes both problems- In Theory

However, I don't understand what he means by his last sentance... Does he mean that my IE certificate is screwed up (which stops me from updating), and that only a system recovery/format can fix that? I think so, but I want to be sure....

JigPu

[mattsaccount]

A friend of mine had this exact same problem. I ultimately issued the following command:

regsvr32 softpub.dll

and that solved the problem. There are a number of things you can try tho if you haven't yet reformatted.

Here is the MSKB article which addresses this exact problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813444