Member Avatar for boonedawg

Problem is Windows XP comp won't let me onto Microsoft website, the load bar will go half way then stop. Suggestions or help greatly appreciated, computer neophite here!
thanks
db

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Short diagnostic checklist based on the thread: reported Firefox stalls about halfway through page load; suggested browser/add-on checks. Because both Firefox and IE fail, the problem is much more likely to be at the system or network level (DNS, hosts file, proxy, router/ISP, or a corrupted network stack) than a single browser add-on.

Helpful steps to isolate and repair (run these from a Command Prompt):

nslookup www.microsoft.com
tracert www.microsoft.com
ping www.microsoft.com
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset

Notes on what those show: nslookup verifies DNS resolution; tracert shows where packets stop; ping can indicate reachability (some hosts block ICMP); flushdns and renew clear cached name info; netsh winsock reset fixes Winsock corruption (restart required).

Other checks that often fix the “half‑loaded page” symptom:

  • Examine the hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for any entries redirecting microsoft.com.
  • Verify proxy settings (IE: Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings; Firefox: Options → Network → Connection Settings) and disable proxies/automatic settings for testing.
  • Start Firefox in Safe Mode (firefox -safe-mode) or create a fresh profile to rule out extension/profile corruption (disabling extensions in-place sometimes isn’t enough).
  • Reboot the router/modem and test another device on the same network to see if the issue is per-PC or network-wide.
  • Temporarily disable personal firewall/antivirus for a quick test (re-enable immediately). If malware is suspected, run an updated anti‑malware scan.

If DNS fails in nslookup or multiple devices are affected, try changing DNS to a known resolver (for example, 8.8.8.8) or contact the ISP. If the problem is only this PC after the above steps, a network driver reinstall or a Windows repair may be required.

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Member Avatar for xpartmgr

Firefox or Chrome....I assume you are having issues with IE. If so take it out of the loop and use Firefox or Chrome. If you just love IE you could try to update to the newest version.

Member Avatar for boonedawg

using Firefox...should have stated that sorry.

Member Avatar for xpartmgr

OK...does IE have the same problem?

Member Avatar for boonedawg

Yes will not let me go to Microsoft website as well as some others.

Member Avatar for xpartmgr

I'd remove all the plugins you've installed. You can always put them back as you go to web pages that require them.

Member Avatar for boonedawg

I disabled them, is that good enough?

Member Avatar for xpartmgr

No...they need to be removed. If they are causing the site to hang up they are corrupt and need to come out. This is of course just a suggestion....the plugins might not be the problem. You could also have a virus.

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