Internet Browsing Can Slow Down Your System

There is nothing worse than a slow computer system. The truth is that from the first day of use, your computer begins the process of slowing down and working less effectively. You may not see this on a day-to-day basis, but gradually just because of everyday wear and tear, your system takes a beating. A computer is not that much different than a person or a vehicle. Without proper maintenance and a checkup now and then, things begin to run less efficiently.

We all know about the dangerous virus or the malicious spyware that can, at best, slow down our system, and, at worst, crash it. What people don’t realize is that browsing the Internet day after day will eventually cause your computer to run slower. When we browse the Internet and open different programs, or download various games, it takes up energy and space on the system. The Internet is also a major source of malware, infections and data mining programs. When we visit locations on the Internet, our computer is naturally harvesting traces of the places we have been. These traces take up space and leave infections that affect computer performance and speed.

The little day-by-day traces may not be enough to harm or slow your system by themselves, but the more we browse, the bigger these little traces become and eventually our computer is running slower than ever. Even when we later remove the program, the registry is affected and traces of the places we have visited and programs we have downloaded remain in our system files. This is not to suggest that you should stop browsing or downloading, but rather know that this is contributing to the wear and tear of your system and take proper steps to remove the little things that will eventually cause great harm to your system. At DoubleMySpeed.com, there are tools available that will help you to keep your system in good working order.

The good news is that you can prevent your computer system from a gradual death by doing a few very inexpensive, very effective things that will prolong the life of your computer and increase speed and performance. There are a few natural processes that we perform with our computers than cause it to slow down. Being aware of these speed suckers can arm you with the information you need to keep your system running quickly.

The causes for a slow computer are countless, from not enough memory to a corruption of the registry. There are many programs out there that can arm you with the resources you need to keep your computer running at optimum speed, such as those found at DoubleMySpeed.com. This is free to download and install. Once the program is installed on your computer, it will allow you to scan your system for a list of the issues that are slowing down your computer system. Having this information will allow you to fix the problems that are causing undo stress on your system and slowing it down to a crawl.

What Does the Red X Mean?

We have all seen that little red X at some point or another in our computer journey. The X shows up when you open a web page or an e-mail and there should be a picture or a graphic of some sort. Interestingly enough, that little red X can be caused by any one of about 15 different reasons.

Below you will find the most common reasons for the infamous red X. Sometimes you can make a few changes on your end to eliminate the red X, while other times this is completely out of your control as a user. Here are a few simple steps that in many cases will eliminate the red X and allow you to view pictures.

Reasons You Can’t Control and Possible Solutions

1. The image on the web page you are viewing has changed or the picture has been removed.
2. The website you are trying to view is either offline, busy or has a technical issue.

The best thing you can do in these situations is try a few times to open the link or contact the website and inform them of the issue if possible.

Reasons You Can Control and Possible Solutions

1. Your e-mail browser is unable to display the type of image being displayed. To attempt to open the image hold your mouse over the X and right click. Select show picture if this option is available.
2. The “show picture” setting has been turned off or your Internet security settings are set too high. Open Internet Explorer and click tools, internet options and advanced tab. Check “show pictures” under the multimedia tab and click ok. To change your settings, open internet explorer and click tools, internet options. Click security, click default level and then ok.
3. Your hard drive may be getting full. You will need to delete your temporary Internet files to prevent seeing the red x in the future. To do this with Internet Explorer 6 and older versions open Internet Explorer, click tools, internet options and select the general tab. Click delete files under the files listed in temporary Internet files. Select the delete all offline content and then ok. Internet Explorer 7 users will open internet explorer and click on tools, delete browsing history, delete files and click ok.

If none of these solutions work the cause may be something a bit more complex. You can do an Internet search for more troubleshooting options, contact the website or your operating system support for further assistance.

Internet Connection Error 619

When attempting to connect to the Internet from a computer that has Windows XP installed, a connection error may be generated. If connection error 619 occurs, it often causes the connection attempt to fail, which means that you will not be able to browse the Internet at all.

Internet connection error 619 can be caused by a number of different factors, including: a third party program, a problem with the access numbers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for those using dial-up, a modem problem, or a router problem. Depending on what is causing the error, there are different methods for resolving it.

If a third party program is causing a problem with your Internet connection, your best bet is to uninstall it. Once the program has been uninstalled, you should try connecting to the Internet to ensure that has resolved the problem. If you can once again connect to the Internet, you can try re-installing the program to see if it was just an issue with that installation. If it once again interrupts your connection, you should remove the third party program from your computer.

With a dial-up connection, there are often several numbers you can try to connect to the Internet. You should try all of them to see if any of them will connect. If you are still having issues, you may have to make some changes to your telephone line, like removing call waiting or adding a custom prefix when dialing your ISP.

To confirm if there is a problem with your modem, you should check its status in Device Manager. If there is an X or any issues, you can uninstall your modem. Once it has been uninstalled restart your computer and it will attempt to install the hardware. You may have to provide a disk for this. Once your modem has been installed, you can run a query on its set up from within the Properties window. If it appears to be set up correctly, try connecting again.

To resolve issues with your router, you will need the manual that was sent with it. Within that, you will find an IP address to enter so that you can check the configurations of your router. Follow the steps and ensure your router is set up as provided by your ISP.

If none of these remedies work, contact your ISP to determine if the problem is at their end.

Fixing JavaScript Errors

Different Internet browsers show that there are JavaScript Errors in different ways. In most cases, you will have either a warning sign in the status bar or a window will pop up explaining that there are problems with a script running on the page. If you only get the warning icon, you can find out what’s wrong by clicking on it. This will open the window and give the details of the errors that are encountered. There are times where the error will state that there is a JavaScript error, although most of the time it will just say there is a problem with a script running on the web page.

How to Fix JavaScript Errors

If you get a scripting error message, the first thing you should do is close the window and try to load the web page again. If you get the same error on trying to load the page again, there can be a number of causes.

Internet connections can actually effect how well and if sites will load and run. With dial up or slower broadband and cable connections, more complex web pages may not run. This is due to the time taken for the site to download and the capability of the Internet connection.

Ensure that you have JavaScript installed in your browser and also make sure that it is an up-to-date version. You can find out if your browser runs Java by checking the following:

• Firefox – Tools > Options > Content, check the box Enable JavaScript
• Internet Explorer – Tools > Internet Options > Programs, click the Manage add-ons button and scroll down to make sure that JavaScript is enabled.

If you are unsure, visit the Java website and follow the instructions for installing Java for the browser you are using.

Finally, if none of this helps, there may be a problem with the code, and if you did not write the web page, then there is little that you can do, except contact the webmaster for the site and let them know.

Introduction to JavaScript Errors

At one time or another, it is likely that all Internet users have been confronted with a JavaScript error. While what happens depends on the browser being used and the type of error, what JavaScript errors tell you is that a script on the web page that is being viewed either contains an error or not running properly, but what does this mean?

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a type of scripting language used to code the elements of web pages and web sites. There are a number of different scripting languages in use, including HTML, which is the most basic, but JavaScript is one of the most popular languages used for coding advanced web sites. JavaScript is referred to as a client side language, which means that it runs on the client’s browser and not on the server where the web page is stored. In other words, everything that happens due to JavaScript coding happens on your computer.

What Causes JavaScript Errors?

One of the simplest answers to why JavaScript errors occur is because it is a client side language, which in turn means that there is greater scope for things to go wrong when a web page is attempting to load and run. Web pages that are coded using JavaScript are compiled on the Internet browser on the user’s computer. As web sites become more and more advanced, the additional features can make them slower to load and even cause them to stop running altogether. It is when this happens that JavaScript errors begin to appear.

Firefox Unresponsive Script Warnings

Firefox is a web browser designed by Mozilla and is an alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer. When using Firefox, you may receive an error message that states Warning: Unresponsive script or a script on this page may be busy or it may have stopped responding. A script is the set of instructions that provide a program with the directions to carry out a task. An unresponsive script is one that cannot move to action to carry out the command being asked of it.

Usually, Firefox generates these types of error messages because it thinks a script may be running out of control, or the web page you are trying to access is not working. Whatever the reason for the unresponsive script warning, there are a number of things that can be done to rectify the situation.

First, you can let the script run and see if it corrects itself. You can choose to click the Continue button, which will allow the script to keep running. Over time, it may finish running and the web page will begin working again. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and clicking the Continue button may just bring up the same error message again. If the Continue button does not work out the error, take the following steps to increase the length of time you allow the script to run:

• In the address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
• A warning message that states “This might void your warranty!” may pop up. If this comes up, click the “I’ll be careful, I promise!” button.
• You will be sent to the about:config page. Search the available options for the dom.max_script_run_time. You can type the preference name in the Filter: box to speed up the process.
• Double click on this preference.
• Change the 10 to a 20 and click the OK button. This will increase the amount of time the script is able to run in the hopes that it will have enough time to fix the error by itself.

If you have noticed that you only receive unresponsive script warnings when accessing certain websites, blocking these scripts from running on those sites will solve the problem.

• Do an Internet search for the Firefox YesScript extension and download it.
• Install YesScript as an add-on by following the prompts that will walk you through the download process.
• Restart Firefox.
• Open the Firefox window and click Tools.
• Select Add-ons from this menu.
• Click Options.
• In the YesScript Blacklist box, type the URL of the site where you are having script error problems.
• Click Add.

By completing the above steps, YesScript will block the site from running script errors when you are on it.

DNS Lookup Failed Error

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a system of servers that translates domain names into IP addresses. The DNS system handles the workings of making Internet connections and DNS lookup failed simply means that you are unable to connect to a specific website. This can in fact happen for a variety of reasons.

Issues with the DNS do not always cause an actual error message to surface; rather they may take the form of other symptoms; such as:

• Inability to log on or very slow logon.
• Unable to join a domain or run a logon script.
• Inability to access an IP address.

Interestingly, when you visit websites, Windows automatically places DNS information about the site into a cache on your computer. A cache is a type of supply closet on your computer and the DNS stores negative and positive entries here. When the information on the website matches with what is stored by Windows, the connection is successful. If the Internet Service Provider does not update the DNS information, this may conflict with the information stored on your computer, creating a negative entry that causes a DNS lookup failed error.

DNS lookup failed errors may or may not be something that you can correct. These errors can be due to issues with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your cache may just be overloaded with negative or conflicting information. Cleaning out your cache is the first thing you can do, which will also let you know whether the error is due to your system or the ISP.

Flushing your cache will empty all the information stored on your computer and start you back at a clean slate. By cleaning out all of the information in the cache, there will be no conflicting information to cause DNS lookup failed errors. To do this, you will need to open the command screen.

For all Windows users except Vista and Windows 7, go to Start > Run. Click Run and in the pop-up box that opens, type: com or command and press Enter.

For Windows Vista and Windows 7 users, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

The remaining instructions are the same for all Windows users. Type ipconfig/flushdns and hit Enter. Once the DNS cache has been flushed, a confirmation window should open stating that the DNS resolver cache was successfully flushed. This should eliminate future DNS lookup failed errors. It is not a bad idea to do this when you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above.

If you are still experiencing DNS failed lookup errors after you have flushed your cache, then it is likely an error at the ISP end of things. Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do about this, which means you may not be able to access the site until the error is resolved.

DNS Server Errors

DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a system of servers that are located in the Internet universe that translate domain names into Internet Protocol or (IP). This system is what handles Internet connections, as well as the routing of e-mail messages.

When you sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), you will be told to set your DNS servers. There are typically two servers that provide a domain name for an address that will allow you to communicate with the Internet. A DNS server error message may surface if there are issues with the connection to the web page you are trying to view. You can attempt to reload the current page by clicking on the reload button to see if this resolves the issue. The error message may just be a quick glitch that will only take a click of the reload button to resolve. If this remedies the issue, consider yourself lucky.

A DNS error may occur because the servers are not well maintained or have bugs or errors that then trickle down to you, the user. Errors and problems occur with domain names and connections just as errors and problems occur with your computer system. If you run into these issues, it is a possible sign of DNS problems. These problems may not be something that you can correct, but rather may be issues with the ISP. If the issue is due to the ISP, it will probably be resolved in a short time. Be patient and continue to try to access the page or contact the provider. If you continue to be met with the same issue, you can take steps to manually replace your DNS server.

Resetting your DNS server is the best option to avoid future issues. Before changing your DNS settings, you should write down your current DNS server address in the event that you want to return to these settings at a later time. These instructions for resetting or replacing your DNS server are specifically for Windows users only:

• Click Start.
• Select Control Panel.
• Click on Network Connections or Wireless Network Settings if you are connected wirelessly.
• Click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Settings depending on the connection you are having trouble with.
• Click Properties and highlight Internet Protocol.
• Click Properties again and check the box beside the Obtain DNS server automatically selection. If you wish to change this and manually insert your own DNS server, you can consult with your Internet Service Provider to obtain a different address.
• Click the OK button.
• Click Close twice.
• Close the Network Connection box.
• Test your new settings by trying to access a website.

Changing, resetting or replacing your DNS server does not have to be forever. You can follow the same instructions to change from a new server back to your old settings should you choose. Chances are, if you are having trouble connecting, it may be an issue with the DNS. You shouldn’t be afraid to change this when and if necessary. Your Internet Service Provider can also assist you with any issues you may have troubleshooting through connection problems.

VPN Error 619

A connection to the remote computer could not be established or the port was disconnected is the message you will receive when you have been a victim of VPN error 619. VPN (virtual private network) is a Windows based network that uses public telecommunications to conduct private communications. Knowing what a VPN is and how it works may help you to understand and troubleshoot through the common error 619.

Over the Internet, a VPN is able to support private communications with a server. It is a low cost alternative to connect people to other servers to create multiple networks or to increase security on personal computers. A VPN is used for a number of different reasons. It creates an extranet or a link between two external and separate organizations. It can support remote access to a collection of private computers networked together within an organization that cannot be accessed from the outside, known as an intranet. As well, a VPN supports the connection between two or more intranets within the same organization. Finally, it allows users to access various resources from a home network securely and easily.

Because of the various uses of a VPN, there are many benefits to using one:

• Businesses and people who want to work remotely benefit from a VPN as it provides the ability to connect to work or other resources from multiple different locations because it offers connectivity and extra security.
• For the average user who commonly uses wireless Internet hotspots, a VPN offers added security to protect confidential data. Hotspots at coffee shops or restaurants provide unsecured Internet service that is available to the general public. It can be a hotspot for not only the Internet, but for hackers looking to retrieve sensitive data such as credit card or password information. The security provided by a VPN helps to protect users from hackers.
• DSL and cable that allows an Internet connection may not be a secured or protected service. A virus or hacker can infect the system and identify the exact IP address. This leaves the computer vulnerable for attacks. With a VPN connection, there is added protection for IP addresses making it difficult to hack into personal information.
• Websites use cookies on the Internet to track surfing activities, which can lead to a violation of user privacy. A VPN hides the IP address making it difficult for websites to place cookies that identify Internet use.

So, what to do about the 619 error? The VPN error may occur when a user is trying to establish a new connection or when the server becomes disconnected in some way. Usually, this error can be fixed in a few easy steps:

• First, check to see if the VPN applications and Windows services are available when trying to connect. If not, this may be the reason for the error.
• Firewalls and anti-virus programs do protect computers, but they can also cause connection issues. Temporarily disabling these programs and trying to connect again is one way to determine if they are causing the issue. If so, change the settings in the firewall or anti-virus program to allow the VPN to connect. Always remember to enable these services after successfully connecting.
• Reboot the computer and try again to connect.
• Delete and reinstall the VPN configuration settings using the instructions.

If none of these options work, the VPN support line will need to be contacted to provide assistance in re-establishing the connection.

The Script Error

Script errors are all too common when you are visiting various pages on the Internet. A script error is a web page error and has nothing to do with your actions as the computer user or the browser you are using for that matter. A script error is a message that tells you that there is a programming issue on the web page. It is nothing more than an FYI message to let you know that something is going on behind the scenes.

You cannot control script errors from happening unless you are a web programmer. And then you have to have access to the code for that site, if you don’t, you won’t be able to rectify the situation even if you do know how to. Most people who run into script errors are not web programmers. Instead they are just routine web users who probably are not interested in knowing all of the boring details, but would just rather get back to the business of surfing the Internet.

When you come across a script error, it is best to spend your time doing something useful to save yourself the frustration of continuing to get these errors, rather than trying to figure out why they are occurring. Interestingly enough, although script errors can be annoying, they typically don’t prevent you from being able to view the web page you are looking for. The script error just puts a roadblock in the way for a few seconds until you close the error out and then go about your business.

The script error message is really just a way to let the user know that there is something unusual going on. With errors, you are not able to continue doing what you were doing until whatever is causing the error is fixed. This is simply not true with the script error. You can disregard the script error message and move on with viewing the web. As computer errors go, the script error is one of the best ones to run into.

Most browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox are normally programmed to show script errors as they occur. They are also designed to automatically debug websites as users view them. What you can do is control if whether you see script errors or not. If you find that you are getting a great deal of script errors, you can change your settings to eliminate them from popping onto your screen.

If you are using Internet Explorer you can disable the debug feature to eliminate the script error prompts by following the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on Tools on the toolbar menu.
• Go to Internet Options.
• Choose the Advanced Tab.
• Check the Browsing option.
• Check the box called Disable Script Debugging.
• Click OK.

If you are using Firefox as your browser, you can stop script errors using the following steps:

• Open Firefox
• Type about: config in the address bar.
• In the filter box type the following: dom.max_script_run_time.
• Right click this option and choose modify
• When the box with a number pops up choose a big number like 15 or 20.
• This will adjust the number to reflect a higher number of times a script can run before it issues the script error prompt to your computer screen.

These few short steps should stop you from having to see script error messages on your screen since there is nothing you can do about them anyway. Wouldn’t it be great if all errors were this easy to eliminate?

408 - Request Timeout Error

Hurry up and wait is probably how most of us feel when we are greeted with the request timeout error message. Rushing is such a normal pace for many of us today. We rush through the day squeezing things in and waiting can be such an inconvenience. We expect that our high speed internet services will be as quick as the blink of our eye. Unfortunately, there are glitches that are either user caused or happen behind the scenes that cause us to wait for the page we are looking for to load.

The request timeout error is a HTTP status code that is telling the user that the connection that they attempted to make with the website’s server is taking a bit longer than the server was prepared to wait. Servers expect that connections will only take a certain amount of time. If something happens that pushes the connection beyond the expected time period, the computer will automatically recognize that it is taking too long and generate an error message. In this case, the request has timed out and you will see an error message that says just that – 408 request timeout.

The request timeout is usually temporary. Refreshing the page will often cause the connection to take place successfully on the second or third attempt. Waiting, especially for the Internet because we expect it to be so quick, can seem like forever, but don’t keep clicking in hopes that this will speed things up. Typically, continued and repeated immediate attempts will cause things to move more slowly. Simply hit the refresh button, hurry up and wait and see what happens. If you are met with the same message, try again.

If refreshing the page doesn’t work after the second or third attempt, try to connect to another website. If you are met with the same message on a second website, there may be an issue with your Internet connection. It may not be working or just taking longer than normal to connect, causing timeout messages.

The request timeout error can really be a way of telling you that you have a connection issue. In this event, you can check your own connectivity. If you are unsure how to do this, or have done and are still having issues, you should contact your Internet Service Provider to assist you in troubleshooting through any connection problems.

If you have determined that it is not your connection, it may be a technical issue with the website. You can notify them of the issue if you have the information to do so, or you can wait it out and attempt to visit the site at a later time.

HTTP 403 Forbidden Error

Errors that state messages such as unauthorized or forbidden are trying to tell the visitor that they are an uninvited guest to the website. Since most webmasters want people to access their sites, these messages are usually just a way to say that you need to have certain privileges to view the content. There are a number of different types of sites that may provide the 403 Forbidden error when you try to access them. They can range from internal corporate sites that only employees can access to sites that require some kind of registration by visitors.

Most websites offer easy ways to get access. A very simple registration form is usually provided on the site that offers visitors the opportunity to register to be given access to enter. Filling this out will provide you with exactly what you need to get into the site, given that you agree to provide the information that is requested on the form. There may be a fee involved, and you will also have to agree to their terms in order to be granted access to entry. If you don’t agree with either of these options and they are required, you will not be granted access to the content on the site.

Much like the 404 error, the 403 error can usually be remedied fairly quickly and easily from the user’s end. As a user you have to be sure that the authorization information that you have been given is entered correctly. One wrong letter or number and you may be greeted with the 403 Forbidden message. This is telling you that you either need to get proper access, or you need to ensure that the access information you were given was correct. Contact the webmaster if you are sure that you have the necessary privileges to enter and the information you have entered is correct. There may be a change with the site, access privileges or the behind the scenes workings of the site.

A lot of information is stored and accessed on the Internet, but both website visitors and those maintaining the websites themselves. The last thing anyone needs is someone else tampering with the information that provides the content for a site. As such, the directory of a website is usually a forbidden area that requires access information to use. Sometimes when a website is typed in wrong, it may direct the browser to a directory instead of a page. The directory is where information is stored and manipulated, not viewed as web pages and this can cause the forbidden error to appear.

HTTP 404 Page Not Found Error

Even for people with above average knowledge of computers, figuring out computer error messages can be a constant game of decoding. Most of us have seen error codes that look familiar, but that does not help us know what to do about them. For example, at some point while surfing the Internet, almost everyone will have been met with the words Not Found at one time or another.

The 404-Not Found message appears when a webpage has been changed, taken down or moved. This all too frequent message is otherwise known as HTTP 404 or the Not Found error. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is an application protocol request that is used in Internet communication. These errors will not show up in other computer applications, such as Microsoft Word or Photoshop, because the code is used where information must be shared and dispersed through a server.

404 is basically an error message that tells you that the webpage you are trying to visit is not there. Of course it would be easier if it just said page not found, or page moved, rather than 404, but who can make sense of this confusing computer world anyway? The error can happen at any time and is particularly annoying when trying to visit a page you have been to before. It is different from a server not found error or 410-Gone error message. A 404 error is telling you that the server, which communicates the information to the page, has been successful located, but the page has changed moved or been deleted from the location that you once found it.

A 404 error does not necessarily mean that the page is gone forever. It may just be temporarily unavailable. It does not help to keep clicking to hope that it will reappear any second because that’s probably not the case. The best thing to do if you are met with a 404 -Not Found message is to try once or twice and then revisit it at another time to see if something has changed. You can also try visiting a different page on from the website you are on. This way, you can see if the site is up. Also, from there, you could attempt a different link to the page you want.

The page may or may not return. If it doesn’t, you will know that nothing is wrong with your Internet connection or your computer, but rather the message is just simply informing you that the page you are looking for is no longer in the same location.