New Netscape problems

[doojable]

Ok all ou computer Geeks,

I have used Netscape for years with absolutely no problems. I jst downloaded the latest version on two computers (One brand new) and it is freezing up a lot.

I checked CPU usage and about every minute or so the usage spikes to 99% for one minute. During this spike absolutely nothing can happen.

Are there any solutions?

I have run anti-spy ware and Norton Anti-virus. All programs are up to date. This is the only program that is giving me problems. I'm using IE now - but I really don't like it.

[PurpleCow]

Apparently, a statistics server Netscape uses to monitor browsers is down

and Netscape 8 has a bug in it that can't handle that situation (it has to timeout.)

Edit your HOSTS file with notepad and add the following line:

127.0.0.1 ns8-stats.netscape.com

Now save the HOSTS file and restart your Netscape and the problem will be gone.

You can find the HOSTS file in:

%systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc

............

[doojable]

Apparently, a statistics server Netscape uses to monitor browsers is down

and Netscape 8 has a bug in it that can't handle that situation (it has to timeout.)

Edit your HOSTS file with notepad and add the following line:

127.0.0.1 ns8-stats.netscape.com

Now save the HOSTS file and restart your Netscape and the problem will be gone.

You can find the HOSTS file in:

%systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc

............

PC - I"m not sure how to do this - can you be REAL specific?????? HOSTS file sounds scary to me

For instance,, where do I type that "address" you gave me for HOSTS file?

Edited February 19, 2007 by doojable

[ChasUFarley]

Dooj -

A real simple fix?

Go to this link, and download Firefox and install it for a browser. It's very simple to use and not buggy like Netscape. It's better than Explorer and many others.

It's FREE and there's NO learning curve with it, really.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

If you don't like it, you've got your old Netscape to go back to.

I highly recommend it - it's one of the best things out there now...

[doojable]

Thanks Chas! more than one person has told me that. I'm going to do that soon - but in the meantime, I have fixed the problem. I won't have to move all the bookmarks...YAY! ;)

[ChasUFarley]

Thanks Chas! more than one person has told me that. I'm going to do that soon - but in the meantime, I have fixed the problem. I won't have to move all the bookmarks...YAY! ;)

With Firefox, you just import the book marks when you install it - it walks you through it - you just select if you want to do that OR not, and that's it!

Try it - I bet you'll like it! (I like it that I don't have to type my usernames and passwords for everything...)

[doojable]

I downloaded Firefox and I am getting used to it. I still prefer Netscape but that might change.

In the interim - that fix that I was instructed to do so that Netscape would work...will it still work when that server is working again?

Thanks in advance.

Edited February 22, 2007 by doojable

[WordWolf]

Do you want us to start listing out favourite "Add-Ons" yet?

One of Firefox's strengths is its customization level.

It's easy to add a bunch of widgets that all all sorts of abilities....

[doojable]

But I can't get it to access my email....

[alfakat]

If you want email w/ browser, go to Mozilla.org and get SeaMonkey(really) It is Mozilla code ala Firefox w/ email ala the old Mozilla browser which AOL larded up as "Netscape" after they bought the Netscape name back 99 or 00, whenever it was. SeaMonkey will not crash like NS does.....

But I can't get it to access my email....

Edited February 24, 2007 by alfakat

[WordWolf]

The usual "mail-client" for Firefox users is "Thunderbird."

You might try that as well-I believe it's a stand-alone program, independent of Firefox.

[alfakat]

True but she wants "all-in-one" browser ala NS or Mozilla, I believe....hence, Sea Monkey.

The usual "mail-client" for Firefox users is "Thunderbird."

You might try that as well-I believe it's a stand-alone program, independent of Firefox.

[PurpleCow]

Ok, the Netscape lockup problem has been fixed.

The problem was that the stats server (ns8-stats.netscape.com) was no longer accessible and that was causing lockups and freezing.

Netscape apologizes for the problems and hopefully all this will be behind them shortly.

On another note, the "phone-home" code is being removed from future versions.

The lockup/freeze problem has been fixed. The stats function has been removed from the codebase and that means that all subsequent versions of 8.x including the upcoming release of 8.1.3 will not contain the feature.

Also, even though the stats server is back online, no data is actually being sent.

This fix was implemented Tuesday, February 20, 2007 8:46 am

So if it's Netscape that gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling have at it!

.....

[doojable]

Yes, I do like how Netscape and (yuk) IE have integrated mail - the "all in one browser"

I have Foxfire loaded for if and when I need it again. Thanks!

Edited February 25, 2007 by doojable

[WordWolf]

So you don't want to know what "Add-Ons" we'd recommend for Firefox?

[doojable]

So you don't want to know what "Add-Ons" we'd recommend for Firefox?

I'd be interested in knowing what you recommend. I'll even add on those that I like the sound of. I use Firefox daily just to get used to it and to keep my bookmarks up to date.

I still havent found a skin I love so, any and all suggestions are fine with me.

Edited February 25, 2007 by doojable

[WordWolf]

I didn't find it necessary to add a skin.

I'll want to doublecheck any Add-ons I recommend are still being offered,

so let me get back to you on this one.

(I don't think BugMeNot is being offered anymore, for example.)

And no, I won't recommend all the ones I use, just the ones I think a lot of people would like.

[WordWolf]

Ok, let's see.

Firefox AddOns....

Adblock Plus is lots of fun.

Between that and the popup blocker,

it's amazing what I don't see....

CacheIt allows you to view the cache of a page.

Handy if you don't want to access the page directly-or it's down.

Dr.Web antivirus LinkChecker is for the truly cautious.

Don't trust a link? Have it scanned for viruses before you even access it.

Fasterfox allows tweaks for speed.

Flashblock switches all Flash to a button to download,

guaranteeing that annoying animation ads just remain a button.

RedirectRemover speeds linking by jumping to the page at the end,

skipping proxies in-between.

That should be it for what I think EVERYONE would want,

and is currently available.

Others will have their own favourites.