Am I being blocked?

[Fishmom]

I am suddenly not able to access the site from my home location, not on my own (new) computer nor from my husband's computer. At first I thought it might be due to my new mac, but I am here at our local library and I can get in with no problem.

I plan to go home and try unplugging and re-starting our router, but if that doesn't work, any suggestions as to what I should do? Our internet provider (comcast) has not changed.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[JudyC]

I've had a few issues not being able access the site...sometimes it's last 24 hrs. My computer is always kept running fast/clean - can get anywhere online but occasionally..not here

[gerneveyn]

This happened to me once, and it was caused by my antivirus/security software. I had to list this site under accepted sites. I hope that helps.

[katrina]

Rest assured, we haven't blocked you.

It must be either your Internet provider or like gerneveyn mentioned, maybe your security system. ?? Wish I could be more help.

[jpyerry]

I've had this happen a few times. I keep my computer running 24/7, usually if I reboot my machine, the problem clears right up. Give that a try, if it doesn't work, try clearing your browser's cache/temporary files/etc. If you still are having problems try disabling Anti-Virus/Firewall, if you are able to get in after doing so, then you know you have some sort of settings problem with one of the programs. If you still are having trouble, try a different Internet browser, like Firefox, Google Chrome, etc. If you are still having issues, then well, I would be out of suggestions.

Justin

[Jlie]

If clearing the cache doesn't work, how about changing your IP address? You can do this by restarting your internet box (unplug or turn it off for a few mins...or a few hours), wherever that comes from.

[JudyC]

I've always assumed it was my wireless internet here, and or the site updating.

I've always cleared/cleaned/various browsers, you name it & definitely isn't my antivirus/firewall.

Doesn't even provide an error code when trying to access the site either. Nada. Maybe I'll just plain 'ole blame it on the border problem - the U.S. is telling me "not without your passport"

[funktified]

LOL... Access can always be a problem.

Having tried all the advises before me, try going to a proxy website (search for free proxy on google) and see if you can come here.

If it works from home via a proxy, then it could be a DNS issue (networking thingy talk that tells your computer/browser where to go) or your being blocked for some reason (infection, your ISP DNS has failed, or one of many reasons).

If your on Mac, you will need to go to Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal, there you type in "ping orchidgeek.com" without quotes.

If you have Windows:
1. Press Start
2. (Windows 7) In search box, type in "cmd" without quotes
2. (Windows XP) Click on RUN, then type in "cmd" in small box
3. In black box, type "ping orchidgeek.com"

It should return something like 208.48.81.133 or 208.48.81.135 or 64.15.205.28 (or an address very similar).

If it has a completely different number or you get an error, post the error and I will try to help.

[orchids4me]

Hi barbara ,
I was waiting to see if you wanted me to contact Fred or Katrina to fred like for Anna. She still isn't on either (same issue before the holidays). What's up with the Mac's ?

[Fishmom]

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. I have re-booted, re-powered my household LAN, and tried different browsers. I even tried a neighbor's network that I can get in my home, with no success. I am taking notes on the other suggestions and will go back home to try playing with the security settings. I've also read Jungle Mel's thread and will contact my ISP if I can't work it out. And thanks, funktified, for your clear instructions. Proxy sites are totally new to me, but I'll give it a try.

I have to say, it's a B#$*# to have a shiny new computer, fast as all-get-out , and not be able to get my Geek fix. It's a lonely world out there

[Fishmom]

Maybe I'll just plain 'ole blame it on the border problem - the U.S. is telling me "not without your passport"


You know, JudyC, people often say that California is like a foreign country! Maybe you've got something here!

[Fishmom]

funktified, I did the proxy thing and was able to see the site ok, so I went through the "ping" process. The number I got was 208.48.81.134. That seems pretty similar to me.

After re-reading JungleMel's thread, I suspect the router or the internet provider. Off to Comcast, our cable provider. They are not fun to deal with.

[Fishmom]

YAY! Back on line!!!

After much conversation with our ISP, we thought we had traced the problem to the host server for the Geek site. I passed some information on to the administrators through the "contact us" path. The very next day, our router died completely. New router, no problem logging in here!

[Jlie]

LoL! Welcome back.

[JungleMel]

Oh no, it was your router too! So strange, I had never heard of this problem before until having to go through this particular headache myself. It's almost funny that the sign of a router's impending death is to block a website. Not all, not some, just one, lol.

[Fishmom]

Hi Melody,
Thanks for your comments, I read your thread on the same topic and it was helpful. The funny thing about this incident, The day the router died was exactly 1 year and 4 days after we had purchased the previous one, and of course they come with a 1 year warranty! I call that "precision manufacturing"; for sure if we start having problems in another year, this will be the first thing I think of.

Although I'm not sure just how to diagnose a dying router, as we thought we had bypassed ours by using an ethernet cable directly from the cable modem, and that did not solve the problem. The tech I talked to seemed knowledgeable, and he accepted our test as a correct trouble-shoot, but clearly it was not the answer.

[JungleMel]

I have no clue how how to diagnose failing routers either, most of the time they've just stopped working altogether or will start dropping the wireless signal to devices. It is interesting that the tech support guy I was on the phone with asked me if my router was a few years old. It wasn't, but it surely was out of the 1 year warranty too. It was a higher end router with excellent reviews. I'll never bother with expensive routers again, they don't last, and yeah, I'm sure that's on purpose. Odd that you still had a problem when bypassing the router and connecting directly with the cable, but a new router solved the problem. Do you use Tor or any other proxy/anonymity service?

[Fishmom]

Negative on the proxy service--I don't even know what that is. We have a household wireless LAN and a cable company ISP.

[JungleMel]

Well if everything's working correctly now then problem solved. If you want to use the internet anonymously you can use a proxy server to act as an intermediary to send information to you without revealing "you," for privacy, security, etc. If you're interested, Tor is free and reliable. https://www.torproject.org/

[funktified]

Hi Barbra,

Sorry for being absent, however great to hear that your back online.

I agree with Melody and I am "very surprised" that it is your router that has caused the problem especially when you can view the page via a "proxy", although not to say that a part of the device that handles the DNS, or the programming has failed and thus a replacement fixed the issue.

I have worked with a few different models, and agree with Melody, dont bother with the expensive ones. The cheap domestic units are just as good and does *almost* the same thing at a cheaper price and the concept of "precision manufacturing" is just spot on.

Most importantly, welcome back