https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/prob...hing-site.html

I am still having BIG issues with this site.

I am able to go through ALL my regular web sites without problems.

When I come to thirdgen, and click on a thread, if the words cron and php pop up in my lower address bar (at the bottom of the screen above my start button), my Internet Explorer locks up tight.

I have to exit IE totally, then come back in.

Tonight, this cron thing has locked up IE six times in 45 minutes.

I used to be able to go through thirdgen, check my regular threads, and move on in 20-30 minutes.

That is wishful thinking now.

Computer web site lingo is above my head but I did try to read up on cron.

Seems it is an automated feature that may try to download something onto my computer which my security refuses, thus a lockup. Maybe.

I have not seen complaints about this cron. However, I find it hard to believe I am the only person that has Norton security on this site (per last reply in above linked thread).

HEEEEELLLLPPPPP ! It gets very, Very, VEry, VERY, OLD, having to constantly leave this site and come back in to do what used to take 20-30 minutes.

jms

 

I have no issues at all. Try a real browser like Firefox.

 

If I recall, don't you use Norton Security, and other applications, as well as blocking the analytics cookie?

 

Sounds like you have some Adware that's installed on your computer. Do an Adware scan and delete all tracking cookies.

When's the last time you got any "updates" for IE? There were a number quite recently, dealing specifically with "Malicious Cookies" (which could not be removed). You just may have one.

I found that occasionally, some members have sites for downloading pictures that try and put in "persistent 3rd party cookies" which probably are tracking cookies.

I know this because I have various firewalls that have alerted me about these cookies. When I can isolate who the member is, I will send them a PM explaining the problem with the site that's uploading their picture and request they use some other website or just plain stop.

FYI, I don't have any such problem.

 

I unblocked the analytic cookies several weeks ago.

I just now (a couple minutes ago) came back to this site to see if any replies.

Sure enough, first thing I get a cron thing. On the first page download.

Some nights I can get through with one, maybe two cron issues.

Most nights two or more.

For some reason, tonight (10-19) has had way more than "normal".

I don't know if this helps diagnose anything, but, on the upper right part of the tech forum page, it usually says: Welcome back jms, you last visited (and gives a date and time).

Well, I can have gone through most of the site and then have a cron hit, the "welcome back" greeting will not have recognized I've been on the site except the previous time (usually the night before).

I don't like to complain, but this cron-php thing is really, really irritating.

Thanks for any help,
jms

 

"cron" is a (common) program that runs on the server that allows commands to be executed automatically at set times, like a scheduler.

I get all webmaster emails, and watch the board. I have not read or seen any other reports about seeing "cron" in their web browser and having it lockup.

 

I did an adware scan - twice. None show up.

Deleted cookies - no improvement.

However,my IE froze several times on this site again last night...when I was able to get on. And again tonight.

One of those times, I was able to catch my lower address bar (above the start button) line...

It started to load normally with the www. thirdgen/yada, yada, yada stuff. Then suddenly the address line changed to " Downloading picture https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cron.php?rand=507608..."

To me, that says the page was loading normally, then a picture (probably from an ad my security software did not want to allow) tried to download and froze my IE.

Am I close?

I really do not like to be a pain in the butt to the folks here. Any help is appreciated.

jms

 

My IE locked up twice since the time of my last post in this thread.

I was watching the address line closely and between the time it started to load the page with www.thirdgenetc., etc. and the cron line, I saw a third very, very brief line pop up saying something about "google syndication".

Any connection between this and my freezing problem?

And I've been thinking...

Norton Security is designed to allow something seen as non-threatening through.

Why would it allow something it sees as a possible threat to get through?

If it sees the google ads as (or similar to) a threat, then it should stop them.

I'm thinking google has designed their ads to try and "slip by" but something in " Downloading picture https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cron.php?rand=507608..." is seen as a possible threat and is "caught" by Norton.

The "download by google/stop by Norton" battle then ties up my processor which locks IE.

Make any sence?

jms

 

You describing the issue a bit more, yes, there is a cron.php file. It's a standard file in vB.

You are the only member here that has reported this exact issue. I did a search through vB, and there was only one other case of this issue being reported which was linked to a plugin which I do not believe TGO has.

Have you tried disabling Norton and seeing if the issue occurs? Personally, while I used Norton products in the past, they have become so bloated that I found better alternatives.

 

I genuinely appreciate your help.

I will try disabling my Norton (probably later tonight) to see if that helps.

I have been thinking more about this cron thing. Does cron allow ads to be rotated in---example Jeg's one time, then (x company) next, then another?

The reason I ask, the Jeg's ad (with the Mustang), and others loaded several times. However, something in another ad may be "unliked by Norton's".

Are the ads to be placed or linked through this site checked for potential issues such as viruses, spyware, etc?

In May 2005, I grew tired of my computer (from Christmas 1998) giving me issues, especially when trying to get on the CamaroZ28 site. This thirdgen site loaded fine. Always among the easiest to load. I had no "protection" on that computer.

At that time, I ordered this new Dell with Norton installed.

After that purchase, this site continued acceptably well.

Camaro Z28 loaded better, but last Oct-Nov (?) 2005, this new computer began having more and more issues at CamaroZ28.

I contacted the folks there and expressed concerns. At first, my computer seemed to be the only one needing attention, but gradually a few more folks mentioned similar problems.

Finally, one of the owners said he noticed some of those issues also and the situation was looked into again. Come to find out, it was not my computer (or Norton) but a software issue on the CamaroZ28 site.

We conversed back and forth and finally, through several efforts, a solution was found and the site has since been acceptably easy to load. They even made me a "Supporting member" for my contribution to solving the problem. Every once in a while, a thread will take 15-20 seconds to load, but little to no freezes.

As mentioned in the other thread relating to my problems (the Ads thread), at least one other person has expressed frustration. This particular forum (problems-suggestions) is not frequented by (perhaps) 98-99% of those that come to this site. Maybe there are more like me (who have problems) and just accept it as their computer's problem.

My issues of freezing began in late July 2006 or early August 2006.

Was there some kind of "change" done about that time? Perhaps taking on a new advertiser(s)? Perhaps a "policy" change?

When the freezing issues began, maybe once a week. Then a little later, once a day. Recently once a visit. More recently I have seen 6-10 times per attempted visit. In the last couple of days, I have had it freeze before the forums page even fully loads.

I accept the theory my Nortons MAY be causing my freezing problem.

Like mentioned above, I will try turning it off and make a test, however, what if there is indeed a virus, spyware, adware, etc. hidden within the offending cron download (which Norton tries to stop)?

That also brings another question to mind. If Norton works everywhere else I go, why should a person be forced to disable it here? There are pics and other links often used on this site to which needed info can be found. Are all links on this site safe?

Seriously, am I being TOO paranoid, not wanting to have my personal info contained on this computer possibly hacked into?

I HAVE had Norton block attacks.

I wish you (or someone more computer savy than I) was here, to experience this freezing problem (which again, is ONLY this site-and only when, in my opinion, a certain ad-or series of ads- is being downloaded).

As mentioned above, I do appreciate the help. Stop by (one hour east of the Corvette plant) if you ever visit this area and I'll buy you some of the country's best b-b-que.

jms

 

Since my previous post, I turned off my Norton Security.

It seems there are ads in the top banner, down the right side of the pages, and in general---all over the page.

My Norton had been blocking all but an occassional "jeg's" style ad and the google ads (with just words).

The pages loaded easy. No lock ups whatsoever. Just ads. Everywhere.

Without leaving thirdgen, I turned Norton back on. Pages loaded slightly slower but still loaded. Ads were still there.

Then I left thirdgen, returned and pages were then longer to load. No ads like when Norton was off. Soon the freeze came back.

I cleaned out cookies. Came back. Got that extremely annoying "sign up now banner". BAD, BAD idea there. BAD.

Logged back in under my name and went through a couple of forums and then a freeze.

Went into Norton and copied the files to here.

I deleted the MSN cookies (my home page) to save space here.

What does this mean to my problem?

I need to now run a security check and see if any adware was downloaded. Hope not.

Thanks. (These last few posts are probably more than I've typed online in years).


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all I can say is that you are your own worst enemy in this issue.

There is no chance that we could remove either Google Ads or Google Analytics and still be able to maintain this site.

Also, in the google .js code for both Ads and Analytics there is a timeout that if nothing from google is returned it should just end and continue to load the page. Which makes me think that the bloatware you are using with your computer is sometimes expecting a response so it can check the data from the javascript for suspicious activity. When nothing is returned your computer just hangs.

 

JMS,

The issue is, that the ad content is likely trying to cookie your machine. Most security softwares will not allow a cookie, with a URL from a diffrent domain. Inside Norton Privacy, you can allow Ads and Pop-up's from specific domians, I don't have a copy of Norton in front of me, but in the privacy settings, you will have a list of domians on the left, and 3 tabs, with check-marks on right, you will need to go thru allow some things for thirdgen.org. That should solve your lock-up issue, but the ads will display on your screen then. There is no way you are going to get the software and TGO to play nice together. Basicly your security software is doing its job, in that is not allow a 3rd party URL to install a cookie.

 

Thank You for a more in depth answer.
I wasn't sure if google used cookies, but now I know.

You Rock!

I'm still kinda curious why other sites would be loading just fine, since tons of sites use google.

 

I do not believe they are "3rd party" cookies:
CustomizeGoogle: Block Google Analytics cookies

And looking through my cookies from TGO, the utm*, I believe, are the tracking cookies:

 

I tried this a few minutes ago. I'll see what happens. Thus far, no freezes, but also no ad(s) pictures or logos either.

Thanks to all for any help.

jms

 

I've been through my "regular" forums on this board as a test.

The first time through there were no freezes UNTIL i got down to the Parts Wanted section. That covers about 17 forums and about 25-30 threads checked.

When it froze, I "x-ed" off IE then back to MSN (my home page), then to thirdgen.

It froze when it tried to load the forums page.

X-ed out again, MSN again, thirdgen again and it connected.

Went through about 7 or 8 forums again, about 12-15 threads. No freezes.

I noticed even with no freezes, the ads are not showing up in the top banner or down the side of the page.

The word ads still show and the Jeg's ad did show in the classifieds.

I also noticed the download time is 15-20 seconds.

The download time in classifieds is about 5 seconds quicker than the other forums.

My download speed ranges from 110 to 116 kbs, if that matters (dsl).

I've mentioned this before=The upper right part of the page where it shows "you last visited..." does not change to the most recent time when I have a freeze and have to X off IE.

When I come back to this site, the "you last visited shows the last time I left the site "of my own will".

Just one of those "hmmm.." things

It (my ability to go through this site) was better than the past few days by a long shot. Yet, not where it was a couple months ago. Still some issues.

Thanks to all that have helped. Please keep it coming.

jms

 

JT, It may not be cookies, without access to his PC, and looking at some of the code on this site, and off googles, I would not be able to figure it out. I was offering a suggestion.

I would still wager that it has something to do with some security software or IE settings, not allow a picture, or js script, or redirect or something, that comes from a domain other than TGO. Even if it is not a third-party cookie, it is cookie coming from a domain, other than the one he is visiting. I would bet that Norton would stop that, generaly Norton blocks almost everything, unless you specificly allow it.

What is interesting is that he keeps talking abotu the cron.php, what sort of cron script is that running?

 

I like the fact that we are suggesting solutions to his problem and I do hope it gets solved.

As dewey suggested, JMS obviously has some "aftermarket" extensions and/or software on his computer. Other than helping him try and solve his issue, this does not justify modifying the site so that TGO works on his computer.

Now days, it's hard enough to develop a site that is crossbrowser compatible for the following browsers:

IE 5.5
IE 6
IE 7
FireFox 1 // mozilla variations such as netscape browser
FireFox 2
Opera 7
Opera 8
Opera 9
Safari << I don't get to test but we do take user feedback

I occassionally use linux and have noticed that the site seems to render fine on konquer.

 

I get locked out most of the time on IE 7 , Mozilla ,and Msn Explorer 7.2 if I don't have it set to remember me. Opera seems to work fine. I dont have any adware of spyware and I dont have any firewalls or virus blocking programs running either. It just completely locks the browser and the hour glass starts flashing. Any ideas how to fix this? It happens as soon as I click the techboards link. If Im logged in its fine, But it doesnt always log me in automatically.