Firefox Operation Times Out

[AndyM]

Just started 2 days ago. Some websites that I had visited regulary for the last few days suddenly would not allow firefox to connect, or firefox couldn't find them. Google.com, Homesecuritystore.com, and I don't know what else yet. I uninstalled and re-installed Firefox 1.02 with no success. Found one article in Firefox Forums that described similar problem but no suggested remedies worked.
I did not delete the root folder when I uninstalled. Nor did I do a Registry cleanup. Any suggestions other than those two things?
Anybody else have this problem?
TIA

[Force Flow]

Check your hosts file. It may have been edited by a form of malware

http://www.pcmech.com/newsletter/viewtip.php?tipid=16

[AndyM]

Funny, the tip you referenced regarding host files is located in the archives, which the footnote says is google assisted. I can't get there because of the google thing. I may try the modem shutdown stuff after work tonight.

[Stryker]

Funny, the tip you referenced regarding host files is located in the archives, which the footnote says is google assisted. I can't get there because of the google thing. I may try the modem shutdown stuff after work tonight.
Not sure what you guys are working on but I just noticed your last post AndyM... Here's the text from Force Flows link:

Use of your HOSTS file

You have a file on your computer which, if you know how to edit and use, you can use to do things like block advertising from certain websites or even block certain websites altogether. For example, if your computer keeps downloading ads from a particular source and you hate it, you can block content from that server. OR if you are trying to keep your kids from going to a certain website, you can block them from visiting it (unless, of course, they are very bright kids who know how to get to yorur HOSTS file).

Here is where you will find your HOSTS file:
Windows XP--C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc
Windows 2000--C:\Winnt\System32\Drivers\etc
Windows 98 and ME--C:\Windows

This file is used for instructions on where to route your browser when certain addresses are entered. When you visit a website, your computer first checks the HOSTS file for an IP address. If it does not find one, it will go to the domain name server. So, for example, people who use IIS or PWS on their computers can type in "localhost" and it will be brought to their own computer, IP 127.0.0.1. This is because localhost is defined in your HOSTS file to go to that IP address.

You can block other sites by entering their URL in the HOSTS file and routing them, too, to 127.0.0.1. So, for example, if you wanted to block ads from trafficmarketplace.com, you would enter the following line in your HOSTS file:

127.0.0.1 trafficmarketplace.com

[AndyM]

Hi, just got home and found your suggestions. Thanks for helping me with the hosts tip. I checked, nothing there. FYI, this is also happening on another pc on the network. Same sites timed out. Weird. I will try the modem thing and post again ASAP.

[Force Flow]

Try scanning for spyware.

[AndyM]

Do you have any good free programs to recommend? Or for that matter, a great one if I have to part with cash to prevent going thru crap like this again?

[AndyM]

FYI, Just did the power down, then up on modem and router and that fixed the problem, thank God.