[Resolved] Chrome and Safari Browsers STOPPED working

[Hoov]

As for apache, I would look in windows explorer and see if you have a folder at C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation this is the default location of an Apache install. It is an open source webserver. Also go into the Admin tools and go to the services. See if there is a listing for Apache. If there is, double click on it and in the startup type select disabled.

To the best of my knowledge there is no legitimate software that installs that by default. Normally you have to download and install it separately. People use it to run websites with, others like me, use it to develop websites locally to make sure they function properly before taking them live on thier server (I like apache better than IIS which is the windows webserver).

About the update disk you are getting, if you have the install disk for Vista, then when you go to install the update W7 onto a blank disk it will ask you for the disk for a qualified version of windows. Then you stick in the vista disk, the W7 installer scans the disk to make sure its legit, and then asks for the W7 disk, and continues with the full W7 install.  The reason I suggest a clean install, even when doing an upgrade, is because Windows ALWAYS runs better on a clean install. Even if you have to do a fresh install of Vista and then run the upgrade W7 disk, that is also preferable over installing it right over your current install.

As for your problem, does your router or your other computer do the DHCP in your network?  Have you been having network problems since about the 10th of last month?

[boblink]

go into the Admin tools and go to the services. See if there is a listing for Apache. If there is, double click on it and in the startup type select disabled.
Boy your good Hoov, I found ApacheNoguskaNolaPro in admin Tools-->Services, it's a free accounting program called NolaPro by Noguska, I don't know where the "APache" came from but it is their and I installed it and haven't had a chance to play with it yet but it is something that I installed and had no idea that it is also refered to as apache

As for W7, I have been told that a clean / fresh install is always prefered to installing ontop of another version of Windows (and collecting all "the garbage" that might have accumulated) and yes, I have a Lenovo system and the Recovery DVD is "plain" version of Windows Vista so that's what I will do. I don't plan on doing this but for pure curiosity, if I do this is the version of Vista usable on another system or will its' Key Code be linked to the W7 program that will be installed?
   
As for your problem, does your router or your other computer do the DHCP in your network?
DHCP is a little over my level of understanding Hoov.  I have a Desktop, my wife has a Laptop. We have a Router and a Modem at a central location and I connect via a wireless adapter and I believe that she connects via a built-in wireless adapter.  I believe that protocols are transparent to me and don't really know what is used for either system.
My wifes does not have a problem connecting to the Internet with her 4 year old Laptop and uses Chrome with IE as a secondardy browser. On the other hand, I am having all sorts of problems connecting with my <1 year old Desktop. I use Vista she uses Xp.


iHave you been having network problems since about the 10th of last month?
I live in Atlanta and we have severely weather condistions for the past few weeks so I would say yes, I have had problems with my DSL as well as my cable and telephone (all from different providers).
Thanks Hoov,
 Bob

[Hoov]

About the Apache, that could be it. If it is, see if you can find Apache.exe on your computer. That is causing errors about every 12 hours.

About the DHCP, when you first got your computer, did you create the network connection and just leave everything on automatic detection?

Also you are having an error with your wireless USB device, at just over 2 hours apart, and then you get an error with your network card not being able to renew its address, and two workgroup errors and then another error for the network card. Those 5 errors keep cycling about every 2 hours. Does any of this sound like something you are seeing? Do you have a wireless USB device and an Ethernet cable connected to your computer at the same time? I think your problem is a conflict somewhere. It may be totally in your computer or it could be between the two computers.

By the way, make sure you stay dry. I have an uncle and a cousin down there near you. They only had some minor water intrusion in the basement with no real damage. Hope you were as lucky.

[boblink]

Hi Hoov, I really appreciate your help and apologize that the wrap-up is taking almost as long as finding the "bug".
I was able to find an Apache.exe tracing back from Admin--->Services and found Apache.exe AND ApacheMonitor.Exe, which one should I (try and) delete?
About the DHCP, when you first got your computer, did you create the network connection and just leave everything on automatic detection?
Yes Hoov, I probably have gone through a few routers since then and never changed a setting on the (Toshiba) Laptop and the built in Wireless adapter appears to be working better (i.e. never a problem) than the ZyXEL adapter on my (Lenovo) Desktop.
Also you are having an error with your wireless USB device, at just over 2 hours apart, and then you get an error with your network card not being able to renew its address, and two workgroup errors and then another error for the network card. Those 5 errors keep cycling about every 2 hours. Does any of this sound like something you are seeing
You're a psychic Hoov, when I walk away from my Desktop and come back a little while later the icon for the wireless has a big RED "X" thru it, sometimes I am able to connect after 10-15 seconds, if not I unplug and replug the wireless adapter, if that doesn't work I restart my Desktop and if that doesn't work I unplug and replug the Router and Modem. 
So what you are describing is exactly what is happening on my Desktop (the Laptop is fine).
I didn't know what was going on behind the scenes but I knew that something was wrong and only started complaining / looking for help/solutions when my browsers stopped working
 Do you have a wireless USB device and an Ethernet cable connected to your computer at the same time? I think your problem is a conflict somewhere. It may be totally in your computer or it could be between the two computers.
No Hoov, the Modem and Router are located about ˝ way between the Desktop and Laptop and the only time that I use the Ethernet connection is to “test” the router (usually when contacting AT&T since they don’t want to talk to me if I am wireless and want me to revert to a native Ethernet connection before they provide help)
They only had some minor water intrusion in the basement with no real damage. Hope you were as lucky
Thanks Hoov, we have some water in the basement as well, apparently the foundation needs to be sealed so there is going to be a lot of digging when Noah’s Ark passes. We also have a leak in the main living area where water from the roof found its’ way into a door frame and water has accumulated in the paint and has pushed the paint out to resemble bubbles / balloons. It is going to be hard getting a roofer out here since there are plenty of “big jobs” (total roof replacements) that they go to first so all in all, we are lucky that no serious damage has been done since a few people have lost their lives and thousands of others their homes and cars. 

[Hoov]

I need to dig around my foundation and replace it, so I know how that goes. Have fun.

About Apache.exe and Apachemonitor.exe I have been doing some digging, and they are indeed installed by that accounting program. But you need to know that when you run that accounting program, you are running a web server.

Now about the connectivity problems, and your USB wireless adapter, does your connection work better if you leave the Ethernet cable connected? The reason I ask (and I should have thought of this earlier) is there are some USB devices that turn off when you don't have an active connection. One thing you can do to check this is to go into Firefox and install the Tab Mix plus add on and then reboot. Then browse to a webpage and then right click on it, and select reload every 2 minutes. Then walk away from the computer for a long enough time that it normally looses communication. Then go back and check to see if it all still works fine.  If your connection stays active, then it is a USB power down problem, and we might be able to fix it.

[boblink]

A rainy late afternoon in Georgia which is NOT good but on to computer "problems" which also are not good.
Mozilla stopped connecting this morning so I am down to IE and Opera (Chrome and Mozilla are down).
BTW, when I loda Chrome I see Resolving Proxy... on at the bottom left of the screen and after 10-16 seconds,  This Webpage is Not available..........
so I don't think I can experiment with Mozilla "Tab Mix" (since I can't open Mozilla and I have only connected via Ethernet for limited periods of time but if I remember correctly, there were NO problems (smooth sailing) which is more than I can say with my Wireless connection.
One last thing, Vista is asking me to install SP2 and I have refused so whatever happened with my Mozilla connection apparently does not involve SP2
Thanks Hoov,
Bob

[Hoov]

Try uninstalling that accounting program. What I am thinking is that the apache server is either running or trying to run, and it could be that it is messing up the communication in some way. So if you get rid of it, the problem may resolve itself.

[boblink]

Hi Hoov, I uninstalled NolaPro and also uninstalled and reinstalled Mozilla but still can't access Chrome or Mozilla.
I am hoping that IE and / or Opera "holds out" until W7 arrives and if anyone is looking for a testimonial for Vista, don't look to me.
Bob  

[Hoov]

Try running Firefox in safe mode.

1.  Close down Firefox completely: At the top of the Firefox window, click the File menu, and select the Exit menu item.

2.  In Windows, click Start, open the All Programs list, and navigate to the Mozilla Firefox folder. In the Mozilla Firefox folder, select Mozilla Firefox (Safe Mode).

3.  Firefox should start up with a Firefox Safe Mode dialog.

4. Click Continue In Safe Mode. This starts Firefox in its Safe Mode. While you are in Safe Mode, your extensions and themes will be disabled, and any toolbar customizations will be reverted back to their defaults. These changes are not permanent - when you leave Safe Mode and start Firefox up normally, your extensions, themes, and settings will return to the state they were in before you entered Safe Mode.
 
If you are still having a problem connecting, go to tools and then options, then go to the advanced section, network tab, then the settings button and make sure the top option (No Proxy) is selected.

Let me know if any of this did anything.

[boblink]

Hi Hoov, I am having trouble finding the Run in Safe Mode option for Firefox so I sent you a PM with a Screenshot and would appreciate if you could please tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks,
Bob.
 

[Hoov]

It that screenshot you sent me, you had it.  ;D you just need to look down a bit.

[boblink]

Thank you for being so understanding Hoov, it's a trait that I wish I had. I have NO EXCUSE for NOT looking, it was staring at me!
I checked Tools and No Proxy WAS checked and still was unable to connect in Sfae Mode, a new window poped up that advised   


Unable to connect
Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at www.my.yahoo.com.
    *   The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
          moments.

    *   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
          connection.

    *   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
          that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.





any other suggestiosn?
Thanks



       
       
     


     
     

[Hoov]

This one is being a pain.

Go to AnalogX's site and download a program called HyperTrace. 

Try connecting to a website and when you are unable to, start Hypertrace and do a trace to the exact same website. If you get any kind of log, post it here, or let me know there was no connection.

[boblink]

Hi Hoov, I sent you  AnologX log via a PM.
Bob

[Hoov]

OK, Hypertrace was able to connect to the servers, so your internet connection is fine, and the software used for connectivity is fine.

And just so that you know, you are not alone in this problem, I have found other people with similar problem.

Can you turn off the Norton Firewall and see if your connectivity comes back.