IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I can’t open Ebay or Hotmail websites. Other sites open fine. What can be causing this

There’s a couple of problems that can be causing this. We’ll start with the obvious.

Clear the cache
Web browsers store a copy of websites they visit to speed up subsequent visits. The idea is that many features of a website don’t change between visits so saving the site will save downloading information already on the computer.

Sometimes, one of those downloaded files gets damaged and messes up that website. To fix this, we clear the cache.

In Internet Explorer, click Tools, Internet Options and in the General tab, click the Delete Files button under “Temporary Internet Files”. When the confirmation box appears, click tick the “delete Offline files” button and click okay.

Check for spyware
These problems can be spyware related, follow our above advice to Sharon in clearing a spyware infection.

Test your security software
This sort of problem can be caused by an enthusiastic firewall, antivirus program or spyware program. Try disabling your security programs for a minute and try connecting without them running. If you can access the pages, then you’ll need to contact the program vendor to add the websites to the program’s trusted list.

Download the latest Java engine
Sometimes these problems are caused by a damaged Java installation. This can be fixed by downloading and installing the latest Java installation. When you download it, choose not to bother with unnecessary extras like the Google toolbar.

Update the Windows Scripting Host
The Windows Scripting Host is another program that can mess up. To fix this, download and install the latest Windows Scripting Host. You’ll need to restart the computer after running the installation program.

We also had a problem some time back where the Internet Explorer phishing filter affected MSN in a similar way. It may be worthwhile checking this problem.

If the problem continues, you may have to contact a computer tech to check your system.

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