Trouble loading pages with Opera

[loalark]

Can anyone help: I've using opera for about 6 months now and loving it. Last week i had to switch over to IE cause the pages wouldn't load, i would type in the URL and in the progress bar it say 'submitting....' and time would elapse but only rarely would it go to the site. I've submitted a service request to opera but wonder if anyone else has heard of this problem.

info that may be pertinent:
i was using 6.02, i downloaded a java script reader the previous day. after the problem surfaced i ran a virus scan and found the nimba worm in the opera cache file and 'vaulted' it up. i've run other scans as well as the kaspersky labs curenimba. no other evidence of the worm.
before and after this i've tried running various versions of opera w/and w/out java. to no avail. i have trouble loading the java version cause now it freezes near the end while loading java. only site i can get to w/opera is the opera site. (?)
I've also tried uninstalling opera and cleaning the reg before downloading opera.

i'm running win95 with plenty of available memory.

i'm very close to cleaning out the whole reg. and reloading windows.
help, trapped with internet explorer,
lloyd

[Brett_Tabke]

Hi Lloyd, welcome to the board.

I would start with the following quick checks:

- running a firewall like zone alarm? ck to see that opera is on the list of acceptable programs.

- Open opera prefs, and look at the "network" settings. Click on "proxy servers", and make sure those are unchecked. If you are actually running a proxy, double check the settings again.

My guess would be the proxy server thing. You can reinstall Opera right on top of the old copy without incident.

java or any other plugin, shouldn't affect opera connecting to the net or dl'ing standar pages.

[loalark]

thanks for the idea, but none of the proxy server boxes are checked. i'm still hoping it is something like that.
anything else you think i should check?
much appreciated

[lorax]

I'd suggest you do a clean boot - that is to say boot from a floppy disk you know is virus free. Once you're at C: prompt then run your virus scan.

The problem with running a virus scan within Windows is that once the machine is infected the virus can mask it's presence to Windows. The only way to detect the viruses (that are detectable) is to boot up using a clean medium. I keep a clean floppy with all of my system files on it in my desk drawer for just such an occassion.

Anyway, if you're virus scan comes back clean, chances are good you are actually clean - providing you're not missing any important system or program files. Then you can look to the more obvious issues like the last software you loaded, tmp files and the like.

G.

[loalark]

i'm a neophyte at this- what do you mean a clean boot? are you referring to a backup disc? the only info i've saved to removable disk (zip) are some files and my browser settings. or do you mean the floppys and/or system discs that came with the computer?
i would like to confirm that i'm worm free. how can i check for it w/out running windows- isn't that my OS?
i like the sound of 'clean boot' can you give me a little more detail?
thanks

[Brett_Tabke]

Nah - if it were a virus, it would be effecting the entire system - not just Opera.

OH! I got it...

On Preferences->Network -> Synchronous DNS (check that box...)