T'internet help please

[KMB]

I wonder if anyone can help, I cannot get on rcheliaddicts from home I just get a website may be down notice. I have tried my laptop, tablet & smart phone, I can get on with my phone if I use 3G so I know that is working.

Internet provider is Virgin and I could get on last week so either something has changed or I have done something stupid

Any help or advice would be appreciated, but I can't try anything 'till I get home !

[tomatwalden]

Things to help diagnose ...

1/. Check other websites - known popular ones - ie. the BBC, Google, faceplant, etc. Are they showing problems too?
2/. Check with Virgin Media - have they got any known issues in your area with the network?
3/. See if your browser can give more information. The most common problem I've found is actually "name resolution" - aka DNS, domain name service, BIND, etc. This is the central service that changes a human-readable name like www.rcheliaddict.co.uk into a real (IP) address that the computer actually uses to locate the website. Sometimes DNS resolving can be the root cause of a site that is otherwise perfectly fine. Look for a message at the bottom of your browswer screen like "resolving address" - this may indicate DNS issues.

HTH

[pug907]

The easiest way to sort it, is not to go on the forum at home LMAO. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies. IE (if that's what you're using) is looking for the latest page to save itself some time and finding that one first! Try using safari, much better browser IMhumbleO.

[KMB]

I will try those things, but other web sites work ok, I think it must be a router type problem because all devices connected to the wifi don't work and they are andriod based.

Looks like I might have to try Virgin customer service

Strange thing is, there is a web site that checks if another site is available and it says it is, so if that can find it, why can't I ?

[philipjdall]

1. Rcha hosting could have you on their block list

2. Virgin media may have rcha on their block list.

The first is more likely. Call virgin, see what they say. If this doesn't work ask admin here.

[jph140]

I will try those things, but other web sites work ok, I think it must be a router type problem because all devices connected to the wifi don't work and they are andriod based.

Looks like I might have to try Virgin customer service

Strange thing is, there is a web site that checks if another site is available and it says it is, so if that can find it, why can't I ?

"Looks like I might have to try Virgin customer service" good luck with that. Try turning the router off for a minute then turn it back on. Leave it another couple of minutes then try connecting again. If it does not work then try hard wiring a network cable into the back of the router and into your PC\laptop and try logging onto the router itself as admin. Unless you have already changed the password virgin routers use is normally "changeme". That way you can check the wifi settings etc. Try that before ringing CS as they are s**t in my experience.

Cheers

[JoeBailey]

I've had this myself, turn your router off for a minute and turn it back on, you should be assigned a new IP address and hay presto you can access the site. The one your using now may be on the block list of the website.

[KMB]

Daft thing is, I am going to have to print this lot out so I can check at home because I can't get to it when I'm there

[philipjdall]

Strange thing is, there is a web site that checks if another site is available and it says it is, so if that can find it, why can't I ?

Because your IP is blocked. You somehow need to lift this ban or you will get nowhere. As mentioned you can try rebooting your router as this will give you a new IP address, but I don't think this will be enough to fool a block.

[KMB]

Why would my IP be blocked ?

[philipjdall]

There are a number of reasons but it usually has to do with an excessive amount of requests to a site, which puts load on the server and looks like a hack. Guilty? Lol

Other things like repeated incorrect password entries could do it. Depends on the site really and what level of security admin have in place.

[tomatwalden]

Strange thing is, there is a web site that checks if another site is available and it says it is, so if that can find it, why can't I ?

Any number of reasons. They are on a different network, using a different service provider and different DNS lookup host. The fact that they can see them just means they are not subject to the same problem you are. As other's have said, restarting your router may help - especially if the problem is something like a routing table, or DNS cache entry in your router. If that doesn't work - call Virgin Media support and they should be able to help.

Full disclosure - I work for Virgin Media, but not in that area of the business, but I'll try to see if there are any known faults in your area, but can't promise.

[expensivhobby]

this is a local fault. reboot you router!

[KMB]

Well I have tried reboting my router but still no joy, so I will ask admin here if there is any reason why I am blocked

[Mark_T]

Well I have tried reboting my router but still no joy, so I will ask admin here if there is any reason why I am blocked

Remember, it is not 'you' that is blocked, it may however be the IP that Virgin have given you that is blocked, so be prepared to give Stuart the IP you are currently using.

I'd be a bit surprised though if Stuart was using IP blocks as they are notoriously unreliable as a means of keeping people out due to the prevalence of dynamic IP usage on domestic internet services.