Problem with masking forwarded IP

[Teal]

Hello everyone, not sure of exactly where to post this so I'll post here. My problem is this: I have a domain name that if I use the "masking" feature and the added description, it appears to play havock at my forum with keeping members "logged in". What happens is, a member will enter the forum, log in, and then begin to browse the pages with in. However, usually after moving about through the forum the member then finds themselves "logged out" for no apparent reason. The other issue this affects and I am positive it's related is that, each and every time a member attempts to reply to a post, the "loggin box" appears asking them to loggin once more. We have found that when this happens if they simply backup to the previous page and then go forward they can post without issue.

If on the other hand, I simply do not use the "mask" feature, all this is averted. I would really like to see my domain name appear in the address bar and not the actual IP. Could someone please shed some light on this problem and perhaps point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

[encyclo]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com] Teal!

The masking feature you are talking about is almost certainly a 100% frame which loads your real website URL. As such, you domain name will remain in the address bar, but it will stay unchanged for all the pages of your site, creating problems for bookmarking amongst other issues, including the one you describe.

There is no easy shortcut, I'm afraid - you simply need to have a proper hosting account for the domain name you want to use, rather than using a masking feature on free hosting. It need not cost a huge amount of money, basic hosting is well below $10 a month these days. :)

[Teal]

There is no easy shortcut, I'm afraid - you simply need to have a proper hosting account for the domain name you want to use, rather than using a masking feature on free hosting. It need not cost a huge amount of money, basic hosting is well below $10 a month these days. :)

Could you elaborate a little more on the item above please as I am some what unclear. As it stands now, I have paid for my domain name through FX Domains and have leased server space elsewhere that includes everything I need (I think) such as Cpanel, dedicated IP etc, etc. Forgive me but, my expertise is that of building and maintaining the computer itself. Creating a forum from scratch and learning all the "how to's", is very new to me.

I've learned alot in the past few months but sometimes just knowing how to "ask" the question is the most difficult part.

Thanks