Member Avatar for Jules999

This website was working fine until sometime on Sunday when suddenly I got this message:

The connection has timed out

The server at www.activeboard.com is taking too long to respond.


* 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.


I have tried Firefox, Netscape, Explorer and Safari but it has a problem on each browser. I have been in touch with my ISP who have suggested a firewall problem. Ican't find anything like that. This website works anywhere else, but not this computer. So it can't be any of the things this message suggests.. Any ideas what I might be able to do in OS X 10.3.9 to resolve this? :confused:

Thanks

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If every browser on the same Mac times out while the site loads fine from other machines, the problem is at the OS/network layer rather than the browsers. described the timeout; suggested an IP ban and noted a malware fix worked for a Windows machine — both possible — but Panther (OS X 10.3.9) has a few Mac-specific places to check first.

Run these quick Terminal checks to isolate the fault, then save the output for later troubleshooting:

# check system resolver (uses Mac's resolver)
ping -c 4 example.com

# query DNS directly (may differ from system resolver)
nslookup example.com

# see the network path and where it fails
traceroute example.com

# test a TCP connect to the web port
telnet example.com 80

# flush DNS cache on OS X 10.3 (Panther)
sudo lookupd -flushcache

# view hosts file (local overrides)
cat /etc/hosts
sudo pico /etc/hosts

On Panther use sudo lookupd -flushcache to clear DNS cache; that can fix stale name records. nslookup queries DNS directly and can show different results than the system resolver, so prefer ping/traceroute to test the OS-level path. These tools are the quickest way to tell whether the problem is DNS, routing, or a TCP-level block. (osxdaily.com)

Also check local overrides and NetInfo (Panther still uses NetInfo). View or edit /etc/hosts and, if you must change NetInfo, back it up first (for example, sudo nidump -r / -t localhost/local > ~/netinfo-backup.nidump) before using NetInfo utilities like niload/nicl. If the site fails from your home network but works via a phone tether or another ISP, power-cycle modem/router and try changing DNS on the router (or use 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8 temporarily) — that helps separate a local machine issue from router/ISP filtering. Be careful editing NetInfo or hosts; always back up first. (flylib.com)

If tests show the site is reachable from elsewhere but not from this Mac, include the ping and traceroute output when you ask the site admins or your ISP — those traces pinpoint where packets stop and make it much easier to resolve the issue.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for yellow

It's entirely possible that you (your computer's IP) were banned from the site.

Member Avatar for redage

applejack

Member Avatar for dfwbill71

I've been having this same problem with my favorite message board website. I've talked to their admins and I haven't been banned and I'm the only person having the problem.......which has been happening for about 3 months now. I used to be on the site literally all day and then one day POOF it wouldn't connect and I would get the same message that the first person in this thread deals with as well.

I've tried to pull up the site on Firefox (which I use all the time), IE, Opera, and Netscape......still nothing. I've defragged, system restored, cleared cookies, ran anti-virus scans, and still my fav website won't come up!

Any suggestions..............serious suggestions please! lol

Member Avatar for Danarchy

I've been having this same problem with my favorite message board website. I've talked to their admins and I haven't been banned and I'm the only person having the problem.......which has been happening for about 3 months now. I used to be on the site literally all day and then one day POOF it wouldn't connect and I would get the same message that the first person in this thread deals with as well.

I've tried to pull up the site on Firefox (which I use all the time), IE, Opera, and Netscape......still nothing. I've defragged, system restored, cleared cookies, ran anti-virus scans, and still my fav website won't come up!

Any suggestions..............serious suggestions please! lol

What's the site?

Also you may want to talk with your ISP. Mine bans certain P2P sites.

Member Avatar for dfwbill71

What's the site?

Also you may want to talk with your ISP. Mine bans certain P2P sites.

It was a regular industry message board.........no P2P involved.

But I read some other posts in other threads on here..........downloaded Spybot, unhooked every cable from my computer and modem, took a vicodin and a nap, and when I got back up VOILA! I can get back on after not being able to for 3 months!

Spybot is GREAT! It takes FOREVER to run, but I let it run all night while I slept.

Member Avatar for Danarchy

It was a regular industry message board.........no P2P involved.

But I read some other posts in other threads on here..........downloaded Spybot, unhooked every cable from my computer and modem, took a vicodin and a nap, and when I got back up VOILA! I can get back on after not being able to for 3 months!

Spybot is GREAT! It takes FOREVER to run, but I let it run all night while I slept.

Glad you got it working again!
Spybot Search and Destroy? Yes, it catches stuff that Bit Defender and AdAware don't sometimes. I put all three on my girlfriend's Windows PC.
The vicodin probably helped the duration of the scan. :zzz:

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