I've asked this before but then couldn't get on the board to see if anyone had answered so sorry for taking up your time again. I have a desktop computer from which I have accessed the BBS for ages but suddenly it's decided I can't get on. I can, however, get on via my laptop using the same ISP and stuff. I'm not aware I've done anything to the settings on my desktop. Has anyone got any ideas what could be causing this spooky occurence?

Puzzled, Stoke-on-Trent

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2000

Answers

Jacko, can you get on any websites from you desktop PC? Try www.yahoo.co.uk and then key "lusenet" in the search window. That should bring up one of the "parent pages" of the BBS. Follow the link to the BBS.

That may not work! If so, then do you know how to flush your cache? Well, just in case you don't (or are too embarrassed to admit it in public!):

If you use NetScape hit EDIT on the top menu bar, then hit PREFERENCES in the drop-down. Then, hit the + by Cache and then you'll see a couple of buttons to clear disk and memory cache. Hit them both (not too hard mind!). Then reverse back out (no comments about lady drivers, chaps!) and try again to get to the BBS.

If you use Internet Explorer 5 - hmm, I'm not used to that, but try TOOLS on the top menu bar, then hit INTERNET OPTIONS... then hit DELETE FILES... under Temporary Internet Files.

If you use Internet Explorer 4 get NetScape!

Good luck!

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2000

Thanks for that Screacher. I had already flushed me cache (although I had ensured no one was looking at the time). I've got Norton Clean Sweep on my machine so I do that quite regularly. I'd also run Scan disk in the vague hope that this may help in some way. I'd even tried putting "greenspun" in a Yahoo search but the link wouldn't work. I've now done the same with "lusenet" and guess what ..... the link didn't work! I can get on any other website I want except this one - that's why it's so spooky. Do you think my machine has been invaded by a cybermakem who's now muckin aboot with me settins?

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2000

Damn! Far too bliddy smart by far. I'm afraid I'm stumped. Doesn't take much mind!

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2000

I had exactly this problem at work. I just couldn't get it fixed and ended up being only able to access from home. I ended up being made redundant so I wasn't bothered anymore

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Spookier still! I've just discovered that if I connect from my desk top using a different ISP I can get on this site no problem. This is a job for the X Files I'm sure!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

In that case, are you sure you are using the same ISP for both your desktop and your lappy? This might indicate that the ISP is holding the address of Greenspun in their cache as you can get to it with a different ISP.

Now, is there an option in your ISP config stuff (sorry, I don't really knaa what aahm taakin' aboot) where you can specify the DNS (Dynamic Name Server)?

You caould always pay a fortune and get some real advice by phoning your ISP's help desk ;-)

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Do you have some kind of preferences or internet log file that you can bin?

works for me

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000