[chris7]

Originally Posted by vikulenka

I thought I did answer right after you posted it too?

The problem is at the PayPal end and seems fairly common. I sent you a couple of links which clearly outline the steps to follow. They suggest clearing cache and temporary files, and make sure cookies are enabled, and checking your computer's clock is set correctly. In other words - the usual.

Sorry Vik, I thought we had got past the usual suspects all of which I had done.

[bloodgain]

You said you tried all the usual solutions, but sometimes it helps to ask some of the usual questions when you're trying to help someone find a solution:

1) Did you synchronize your computer clock with an internet time server? If so, try synchronizing with a different one, and set your clock to autosync every night if possible.

2) How do you connect to the internet? If you use broadband, how is your service quality (how fast, frequency of dropped connections, etc.)?

3) Is Paypal timing out immediately, or after a period of time (and how long)?

4) I know you said it only happens with Paypal, but think hard. Is there another major website that shouldn't have much downtime that you find yourself unable to access on occasion?

5) What browser do you use (version number if you can provide it)? What operating system (Windows 2000, Windows XP, Ubuntu Linux, Mac OS-X)?

I don't promise I can help you figure it out, but this info will give me a better idea of what might be causing it. I already have a few educated guesses.

[chris7]

Originally Posted by bloodgain

You said you tried all the usual solutions, but sometimes it helps to ask some of the usual questions when you're trying to help someone find a solution:

1) Did you synchronize your computer clock with an internet time server? If so, try synchronizing with a different one, and set your clock to autosync every night if possible.

2) How do you connect to the internet? If you use broadband, how is your service quality (how fast, frequency of dropped connections, etc.)?

3) Is Paypal timing out immediately, or after a period of time (and how long)?

4) I know you said it only happens with Paypal, but think hard. Is there another major website that shouldn't have much downtime that you find yourself unable to access on occasion?

5) What browser do you use (version number if you can provide it)? What operating system (Windows 2000, Windows XP, Ubuntu Linux, Mac OS-X)?

I don't promise I can help you figure it out, but this info will give me a better idea of what might be causing it. I already have a few educated guesses.

Bg,

1) I have just done the clock, but I cannot see any autosync.
2) My broadband is v.good about 3.80 Mb, very few dropouts, none in the last month.
3) Paypal page takes a few minutes normally but very occasionally it will flash through?
4) Previously on an odd occasion I have had a similar problem with a couple of sites but they have been as good as gold lately. It just appears to be the https paypal site .
5) I use XP-SP3, IE7 with IE7Pro add on, NIS 2008

Thanks.

[bloodgain]

First, for the clock autosync:
A) Right click the time in the toolbar
B) Click "Adjust Date/Time"
C) Click the "Internet Time" tab
D) Make sure the box beside "Automatically Synchronize with an Internet time server" is checked
E) Choose a time server from the box. I recommend one of the XXX.nist.gov choices.

However, I don't think that's your problem. I'm betting the culprit is Norton Internet Security. We had all kinds of trouble with NIS at the University when I did tech support.

Option 1: Stop using NIS. I recommend using McAfee or ZoneAlarm for a firewall.
Option 2: Usually, you can stop NIS from "breaking the Internet" by turning off their Privacy filter. Go into the NIS settings and look for the Privacy Options or Privacy Settings (it's been a while, so I don't remember where they are). You may have to go in through the Windows Start Menu program list and load the application from there to get to the settings. Basically, just turn them off. All browsers, even IE, have enough privacy settings now that there's no reason to double up on privacy filtering.

If that doesn't help, download Spybot Search and Destroy or AdAware and make sure your box is free of spyware. Spyware can do some nasty things to your surfing

Lastly, I don't know a lot about IE7Pro. It's possible that IE7Pro is causing you some trouble. I'd put much more money on NIS being the problem, though.

[chris7]

Originally Posted by bloodgain

First, for the clock autosync:
A) Right click the time in the toolbar
B) Click "Adjust Date/Time"
C) Click the "Internet Time" tab
D) Make sure the box beside "Automatically Synchronize with an Internet time server" is checked
E) Choose a time server from the box. I recommend one of the XXX.nist.gov choices.

However, I don't think that's your problem. I'm betting the culprit is Norton Internet Security. We had all kinds of trouble with NIS at the University when I did tech support.

Option 1: Stop using NIS. I recommend using McAfee or ZoneAlarm for a firewall.
Option 2: Usually, you can stop NIS from "breaking the Internet" by turning off their Privacy filter. Go into the NIS settings and look for the Privacy Options or Privacy Settings (it's been a while, so I don't remember where they are). You may have to go in through the Windows Start Menu program list and load the application from there to get to the settings. Basically, just turn them off. All browsers, even IE, have enough privacy settings now that there's no reason to double up on privacy filtering.

If that doesn't help, download Spybot Search and Destroy or AdAware and make sure your box is free of spyware. Spyware can do some nasty things to your surfing

Lastly, I don't know a lot about IE7Pro. It's possible that IE7Pro is causing you some trouble. I'd put much more money on NIS being the problem, though.

Thanks Bg,

I will give some of them a whirl.
Sometimes it works no problems
Using TOR worked fine, but that has given me a different problem with paypal thinking my account has been attacked.
I also use Webroot Spysweeper, I forgot.

Thanks for your time and trouble.

[chris7]

Originally Posted by bloodgain

First, for the clock autosync:
A) Right click the time in the toolbar
B) Click "Adjust Date/Time"
C) Click the "Internet Time" tab
D) Make sure the box beside "Automatically Synchronize with an Internet time server" is checked
E) Choose a time server from the box. I recommend one of the XXX.nist.gov choices.

However, I don't think that's your problem. I'm betting the culprit is Norton Internet Security. We had all kinds of trouble with NIS at the University when I did tech support.

Option 1: Stop using NIS. I recommend using McAfee or ZoneAlarm for a firewall.
Option 2: Usually, you can stop NIS from "breaking the Internet" by turning off their Privacy filter. Go into the NIS settings and look for the Privacy Options or Privacy Settings (it's been a while, so I don't remember where they are). You may have to go in through the Windows Start Menu program list and load the application from there to get to the settings. Basically, just turn them off. All browsers, even IE, have enough privacy settings now that there's no reason to double up on privacy filtering.

If that doesn't help, download Spybot Search and Destroy or AdAware and make sure your box is free of spyware. Spyware can do some nasty things to your surfing

Lastly, I don't know a lot about IE7Pro. It's possible that IE7Pro is causing you some trouble. I'd put much more money on NIS being the problem, though.

Bg,
I have done the clock thing, it is now with a "nist.gov" one.
Some months ago I had a similar problem logging in on another site, I removed Norton completely and used AVG/Firefox etc, but it did not help, strangely it started working again OK, no idea why?
I cannot find the privacy filters in Norton NIS 2008?
It works fine using TOR?
I will carry on trying a couple of things.
Thanks for all your advice Bg.

[bloodgain]

No problem, chris7. I was hoping for the opportunity to be helpful at some point.

In regards to the other website, it could have just been that website. I'm not sure without more information. However, even Symantec is aware of trouble with logging into secure websites with Norton products.

Apparently NIS 2008 puts its "Privacy Options" under different headings. I told you it had been a while
Here's a link to their suggestion on fixing it:
Symantec Technical Support

Personally, I think you could stop after step 2 and leave it off, but you can try their solution if you like.

[chris7]

Originally Posted by bloodgain

No problem, chris7. I was hoping for the opportunity to be helpful at some point.

In regards to the other website, it could have just been that website. I'm not sure without more information. However, even Symantec is aware of trouble with logging into secure websites with Norton products.

Apparently NIS 2008 puts its "Privacy Options" under different headings. I told you it had been a while
Here's a link to their suggestion on fixing it:
Symantec Technical Support

Personally, I think you could stop after step 2 and leave it off, but you can try their solution if you like.

Thanks once again Bg, I shall try that on my next Paypal transaction.

[chris7]

Still struggling with logging on and using Paypal.

Over the last couple of days I have had TWO Norton reps take over and work my computer from their end, turned Norton off and still no joy and tried a couple of other things as well.

When I used TOR, it worked straightaway, the only problem was I paid an Ebay item and the next day I received an email from Paypal to say my account had been attacked and partly shut down, I had to go through a series of checks to reinstate it.

So it works OK using TOR, but not normally now, I have changed to open DNS, flushed my cache out, but to no avail, any other suggestions would be appreciated!

[solaris]

Originally Posted by chris7

Still struggling with logging on and using Paypal.

Over the last couple of days I have had TWO Norton reps take over and work my computer from their end, turned Norton off and still no joy and tried a couple of other things as well.

When I used TOR, it worked straightaway, the only problem was I paid an Ebay item and the next day I received an email from Paypal to say my account had been attacked and partly shut down, I had to go through a series of checks to reinstate it.

So it works OK using TOR, but not normally now, I have changed to open DNS, flushed my cache out, but to no avail, any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Maybe the MAFIAA guys have selected you, Chris, as their #1 test person in their effort to go straight to the horse's mouth and block PayPal, so no copyrighted material neither on eBay nor in the Russian online music stores can be bought using that obviously illegal payment service?


Why don't you (and others are quite welcome too, I'm sure ) a month free trial with RELAKKS: https://www.relakks.com/?lang=en


I bet you'll be able to use PayPal going through RELAKKS