lindajean
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posted on July 21, 2003 11:44:40 AM new
I lost the cipher strength somehow on my IE 6. No matter what I did (reinstalled, etc) I could not get it back. Sony told me to contact Microsoft and Microsoft told me to contact Sony.
I gave up and installed netscape which works, but is extrememly slow!
I cannot do anything on Paypal or any other secure sites using IE so wondered if there were any other internet browsers I was not aware of? This is a real pain.
Apparently the only way to get the cipher strength back is to completely reformat my drive and start over. I don't want to do that but am beginning to panic as I cannot get anything done
The Microsoft website tells how to fix this in all other windows programs but not in XP.
Any help or advice? I wrote a few months ago about this same problem, but just installed Netscape as a temp fix. However, the time it takes to navigate through sites with Netscape is really slowing me down.
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sparkz
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posted on July 21, 2003 12:18:46 PM new
OPERA!! It's better than anything Microsoft or Netscape have ever developed. Try www.opera.com . Pay attention to the selection screen as this browser is available in many different languages for several different operating systems. The French version for Linux won't do you much good 
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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lindajean
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posted on July 21, 2003 01:27:15 PM new
Thanks!
I love Opera. It is sooooo fast and easy to navigate through. Much better than Netscape.
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sanmar
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posted on July 21, 2003 02:23:39 PM new
Is there any costs involved? I have iE it works good for me with Verizon DSL. What advantage would there be with Opera?
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miscreant
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posted on July 21, 2003 02:37:59 PM new
Another nice one
http://irider.com/
And a free one which is very feature rich
http://mozilla.org/
Netscape and IE are now just bloated hogs.
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lindajean
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posted on July 21, 2003 03:46:40 PM new
I was only looking for another one because IE didn't work and I couldn't get anyone to help me make it work on secure sites.
Opera is far superior to Netscape. And, the added advantage of seeing how long it takes any page to open and the speed of the transaction. Just to be sure I am getting the 30kp or whatever I am paying for through my cable service.
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sparkz
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posted on July 21, 2003 03:55:56 PM new
Sanmar..Opera is free if you select the version with a small, unobtrusive ad in one corner. They have a subscription version without ads. It's always a good idea to have two different browsers on your computer, especially if you are using IE on Ebay. Ebay is constantly making changes in their system and many are not 100% compatible with Internet Explorer. You can use the second browser to verify and work around these glitches. With Opera, you can select an option to emulate any other browser if you hit a really particular web site, such as some online banking services.
Lindajean.. Your Opera browser also has a built in pop-up killer. If you turn it on, you shouldn't need any 3rd party software for that purpose.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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sciclone2000
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posted on July 21, 2003 04:03:48 PM new
Opera is a great browser, its very fast compared to the others. One of my favorite features is tabbed browsing, it makes it so you can have multiple browser windows open and not have them cluttering up your task bar. The skins are cool too.
Tony.
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Libra63
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posted on July 21, 2003 04:06:25 PM new
Okay now before I screw up my computer can I have all three? Explain in very easy language how you do it. I went to opera.com and on their page it has all kinds of free this, subscription, well how do you get it free. I like free better than pay. Thanks
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lindajean
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posted on July 21, 2003 04:51:37 PM new
Libra: Just click on download. Then when it is through, be sure and tell it you do not want the quick launch. Or, you might want it. I don't because my task bar is already full enough.
I just click on the IE, Netscape or Opera link before signing onto the web. Actually with cable modem clicking on any of these opens the webpage for me.
Anyone else:
Not sure how it will work with a sign-on service. How do you use the alternative browsers with AOL or others?
Thanks for the popup info. Any other Opera hints for us new users? I can't believe how fast it is.
[ edited by lindajean on Jul 21, 2003 05:17 PM ]
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sparkz
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posted on July 21, 2003 05:18:47 PM new
To use it on AOL, log onto AOL normally and minimize the page. Then open Opera and you're there.
Lindajean.. if I'm not mistaken, there is a feature in Opera that will allow you to import all your bookmarks from Netscape. I've never used it, but I seem to remember it's in there somewhere.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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akmcmc1
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posted on July 21, 2003 10:24:34 PM new
Another one is http://www.avantbrowser.com/
I've not used it, but heard good things about it.
Good Luck!
[ edited by akmcmc1 on Jul 21, 2003 10:24 PM ]
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CBlev65252
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posted on July 22, 2003 07:22:44 AM new
lindajean
I know this is probably a dumb question, but did you check for IE 6.0 updates? Sometimes the fixes are there. I have problems with some sites (although not the sites you have trouble with) and it's frustrating. I also have XP and I use cable Internet. If you haven't already, check for updates (fixes). I've had some success with fixes for Win 98 working on XP. Also, check your Internet Options (Security settings) if you haven't already. I've noticed that when I reinstall something it will go back to the default settings. I have mine customized. Maybe something is checked in your settings that should not be? Also, I noticed that my popup blocker causes me some headaches along these lines.
Just a few suggestions. Good luck!
Cheryl
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 08:13:28 AM new
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I do appreciate them but have tried ever one of them.
When you check the help tab you should show a cipher strength of 128. Mine shows 0. There is apparently no way to reset this if you don't have the windows xp disk. And, those who purchased computers with xp already on it did not get a disk the way we used to with other windows programs. I thought it was just Sony but my Toshiba laptop also came without the disk, just the code for installation.
I tried the updates and I even tried uninstalling and reinstalling from the website. But, after trying that I talked to someone at Microsoft who explained IE is an integral (?) part of the XP and cannot be installed separately. Or if you do, it does not affect the material workings such as cipher strength. I really really hate Microsoft.
The strange thing is, they would rather you use another product than to help you fix it. Everything works great with Netscape, but that one was like going back to AOL. It was so slow it drove me crazy.
Now, Opera is great and I can access everything there also.
No one can explain how I lost the cipher strength. Probably something to do with zone alarm or norton they said. Unfortunately, it is also preventing me from using SAPro through Ebay. They only work with IE and it cannot communicate with Ebay on my machine.
Lot's of headaches, but I have all kinds of programs installed for our business operations as well as Ebay and now know never take the quick way and download from the internet. If I reformat my hard drive I know I will never ever get all these back and several of them cost over $150. I have key codes but two companies have told me the product has been updated and I cannot get it back.
Anyone know how to backup a workable copy of a program? I have an external hard drive I use to back up ad copy and photo's, but don't have a clue how to use a true back up that would take every single hidden file from a program with it to make it able to run again when I was through with the reformatting process.
It is a real nightmare. Did I mention I hate Microsoft?
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tomwiii
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posted on July 22, 2003 08:26:20 AM new
Did ya try:
INTERNET OPTIONS >> ADVANCED >> Restore Defaults
...just a thought: this happened to my kid's IE installed from a BellSouth disk -- he had to UNINSTALL+REINSTALL before it would work ALSO, he had to dump his 'cookies' file (easy to do in IE6)
 windoze
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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tomwiii
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posted on July 22, 2003 08:31:53 AM new
ANOTHER THOUGHT:
GOTO www.southtrust.com here:
http://tinyurl.com/horx
In upper right hand corner is a button for LOGIN into online banking -- go there & it will tell you that your cipher strtength is NOT 128bit, and it will re-direct you to a page that tells you how to get 128bit!
Ralphie showed me this underhanded dingy-doggy trick! 
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 09:26:05 AM new
Tried the restore to default. No luck.
The other link just displays the "Page cannot be displayed" that I get with every secure site.
It says Check your cipher strength or go back and try another page.
But, it never makes it to the original page for me to get the link.
I know there are fixes for all other windows programs listed on the IE site, but not for XP. Apparently, I am one of the lucky "firsts" for this to happen in XP.
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tomwiii
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:04:27 AM new
READ THIS:
http://tinyurl.com/dxc4
which ain't about XP, but THIS IS:
http://tinyurl.com/7f1c
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
[ edited by tomwiii on Jul 22, 2003 10:07 AM ]
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:07:56 AM new
Been there, done that.
Thanks for trying, but I have gone through each of these steps.
Apparently, whatever messed up the cipher strength also killed my system restore function because I start it and it just says it cannot go back try another date.
[ edited by lindajean on Jul 22, 2003 10:09 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:09:31 AM new
LINDA:
THIS is ALL ABOUT XP & IE -- READ:
http://tinyurl.com/7f1c
My first link was incorrect! This one be RIGHT ON da MOOLA!
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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paloma91
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:11:02 AM new
what version of windows are you running and who is your internet provider? Is it AOL??
[ edited by paloma91 on Jul 22, 2003 10:13 AM ]
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:12:48 AM new
It says:
Verify that Your Computer Is Using 128-Bit Encryption
To do so:
In Internet Explorer, on the Help menu, click About Internet Explorer.
The level of encryption on your computer appears next to the words Cipher Strength. Verify that the Cipher Strength value appears as 128-bit.
Click OK.
That's the problem. Mine doesn't say that but it doesn't tell me what to do to fix that. Ebay live help took me through restoring all the dll stuff thinking that would fix what they needed fixed for SAPro but even they gave up after over 2 hours of trying things.
I'm running windows XP
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tomwiii
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:13:14 AM new
Have ya tried XP's SYSTEM RESTORE?
http://tinyurl.com/dc0e
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:13:36 AM new
XP Home
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:18:31 AM new
Yes, that is when I get the message that Windows cannot restore to that date.
April 12th was the last working date for my computer
I have tried earlier dates as well but it just won't do it.
I thought I had a virus but I have checked over and over with Norton, McAfee and Panda and they all say none found. But, something happened along the way that caused a big problem with my files.
I know it happened right after the last security update I installed from IE in April. Now, it won't even let me install the patches. It says "no updates found for your computer" and I know there have been several since April due to vulnerabilities in windows.
Strangely enough, everything else on my computer works fine. All the problems seem to be tied to IE. I run Microsoft office, Paperport 9, a complicated program that draws diagrams for our insurance inspection business, and all others without a hitch.
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itcomputes
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posted on July 22, 2003 10:59:05 AM new
Look in Control Panel/Add Remove programs for Windows XP Hotfix 818043. This one caused various internet accessability problems and Microsoft removed it from their web site. You should be able to just remove it with Add-Remove. That's probably not the answer, but it's one more thing to try.
irider is a neat browser, but it's based on Internet Explorer so is not an option in this case.
BTW, new computers haven't come with an operating system install disk since Windows-98. Just a restore disk which wipes everything out then puts the system back to how it was set up when you bought it. All the required files should be on the hard drive. I think you just click OK when it asks.
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lindajean
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posted on July 22, 2003 11:07:36 AM new
I didn't know windows 98 was the last one to come with the actual disk. I went from Windows 98 to windows XP and skipped buying a computer for the years inbetween.
Too bad! That is why everyone (Microsoft and Sony) keeps telling me I have to reformat and start over. That is just not an option until nothing on my computer works. I did that twice with my old Sony before buying this one and it is a real pain trying to replace everything you lost. You might as well just go buy a new computer since they are so cheap now.
I wonder if I buy the Windows Pro upgrade if that will fix it? I would hate to spend the bucks and still have the problem though.
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