Good point thanks PAB. I have therefore updated the firmware this morning.

So no, it was almost certainly not the latest at the times of my problems.
However although I understand it can't be ruled out, since the problems were
intermittent I don't feel that was the likely cause. I feel certain the
problem is related to my ISP or its servers in some way but I have no
evidence based grounds for complaint.

As I remain locked in to an ancient tariff which is probably now a tad
uneconomic for them, is it too cynical to consider that they might be
deliberately causing problems to encourage me to push off elsewhere or
change to a current tariff ?
I don't really believe that because it makes no sense for them to waste time
with personal vendettas against small fry like me !! But I should imagine
they will be happy to get rid of operating those ancient tariffs as soon as
ever possible.
--
Regards, Jack Sadie

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
Repost:
Is your router running the latest firmware version?

YMMV = your mileage may vary (i.e., you may have different results)

In the situation, I can open Internet Explorer but no web pages load. All
the tabs have the same "cannot open the web page" message

Error message after you install a Windows Internet Explorer 7 update from
Windows Update or from Microsoft Update: "Webpage cannot be displayed":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942818

If tweaking your third-party firewall's settings don't help, try the
following:

1. Disable your anti-virus application, all Norton Add-ons (if any), any
real-time protection provided by an anti-spyware application (except for
Windows Defender; includes Spybot Tea Timer, SpySweeper Guards, AVG AS
guard.exe, etc.), disable any third-party firewall AND THEN enable the
Windows Firewall.

NB: You're "working without a net" now: Don't to ANYTHING else online
(e.g., browsing; reading email; chatting) except #4 below until your
anti-virus application has been re-enabled! If you're running ZA Free
firewall, you may need to uninstall it instead of disabling it.

2. Uninstall "Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7 (KB950579)"
via Add/Remove Programs (make sure Show Updates box is checked at top
right) and reboot.

3. Re-do #1 above.

4. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and install any Critical
Updates offered. If a Root Certificates update is listed in the Optional
Updates category, install it to take full advantage of IE7's enhanced
security.

5. Reboot Make sure everything in #1 above is enabled again and, if
applicable, disable the Windows Firewall and enable (or reinstall) your
third-party firewall.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Jack Sadie wrote:
In the situation, I can open Internet Explorer but no web pages load. All
the tabs have the same "cannot open the web page" message but I cannot
remember the wording.

Sorry but don't recognise YMMV ?

Thank you. None of that software should be causing the problem (but
YMMV
when it comes to CAAV9).

Does "I could not get into Internet Explorer" mean that IE wouldn't
open/load, or that you couldn't reach any webpages?

Is your router running the latest firmware version?

How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer
[ignore APPLIES TO section]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936211
--
~PA Bear

Jack Sadie wrote:
Sorry PAB ! Windows XP home v5.1 SP2, IE7, Computer Associates
Anti-virus
9,
only Defender, no 3rd Party firewall but Windows firewall switched on.
Used
Pipex as ISP for several years without problems.
Thanks for looking into it.

Windows version? IE version (yes, IE)? What anti-virus application
or
security suite is installed? What anti-spyware applications (other
than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Jack Sadie wrote:
Recently I have experienced several intermittent periods of perhaps
10
or
12
hours when I could not get into Internet Explorer, nor could I access
Outlook Express on line. A check with a friend who uses the same ISP
confirmed that he could access without any trouble so there was no
general
problem at Pipex so far as I could tell.

However I was clearly connected to the internet via my wireless
router,
and
even as I watched, my Local Area Network Status showed that packets
were
being both sent and received. Furthermore my Anti-virus program was
updated
with new signature files without any problem during the period when I
could
not get access.

I cannot therefore understand where the problem lies. I attempted to
use
the
diagnostic tool which displays on Internet Explorer if you cannot get
access, but sadly the log I printed has been destroyed and I cannot
recall
any detail. I do know that it referred to "DNS" and "the server" in
some
way, but that may not help.

Any ideas ? Is the connection for my Antivirus Signature download
independent of my ISP - it seems it must be? I obviously don't
understand
the mechanism and will be obliged for help.