Arrgh! *tears his hair out* >:(

[Rath Darkblade]

Now I'm not usually fazed by computer problems, but last night I ran into something horrible... :\

I'm not sure if anyone remembers the old ezboard messageboard system. I've been a member on several of these boards for ages. A year or so ago they decided they're going to move to yuku (yuku.com). Not a big problem... I just use the same username and password and away we go.

Now, last night, it suddenly decided it was not going to work any more. I log in, it takes my password, and says I'm logged in. Fine. I decide to open a thread or two... and it tells me I'm not logged in anymore. WTH??? Fine, ok, I log in again. It says fine, you're logged in. I try to respond to some of these threads... and it says I'm logged off. ARRGH!!!

So I think, ok, someone who's actually using some of these yuku boards might know something about this, so I might email them. I try to open my email system (Yahoo mail - yes, yes, I know), and run into another problem. It takes my username and password, then starts opening the initial page (i.e. the page that tells me how many new mail messages I have)... but it never actually gets there. It tells me that it's downloaded the page, although the page is never actually displayed; then it starts downloading the same page again and not displaying it; then again, and again, ad nauseum. WTH is going on?! Arrgh. *tears his hair out*

Has anyone else heard about this or run into these problems? Does anyone know what I can do? Thanks.

[misslilo]

Hmm, never had this problem, but it sounds as if the cookie gets deleted with every refresh/new page.
Have you checked your browser settings?

[DeadPoolX]

Have you cleared you cache and cookies? Sometimes you need to do that. Another thing to look for is allowing cookies. Many websites -- especially message boards -- need cookies to function properly.

If you're using Firefox, I'd recommend downloading Cookie Safe Lite. It lets you set global cookie permissions, as well as allow you to set cookies three different ways for individual websites. If you right-click on the icon (it's in the shape of an edible cookie), you get a number of options in addition to the ones I mentioned before. It's a handy add-on.

If none of the above work, try using a separate browser. IE isn't terrible, especially the newer version and Opera is really good too. If you have this problem with another browser, then the issue might be with the website/message board itself.

[Collector]

If you are using IE a corrupt/full cache might well be the problem. The default cache size is larger and requires manual purging from time to time. Firefox has a smaller default cache size. A broadband connection really doesn't need much of a cache. As mentioned, cookies may be part of the issue, as well. About all web logins rely on cookies.

[Rath Darkblade]

Yes, I had the feeling that this might have to do with cookies, and I thought about that. When I try to log in, my Firefox cookie display (from Tools -> Options -> Privacy -> Show Cookies) shows me the usual cookies have been set - one cookie from yuku.com. But that used to be all the cookies that were necessary to log in; same with my email account - it used to be that only 2 cookies were needed for that.

As for cache, I usually empty my cache every time I close my browser... as for IE, I only have version 6.0.something - I'm not sure I can trust it, particularly as I can't see the cookies it sets (so I can't get rid of them). *shrug*

Is there something else I've missed, maybe...?

[DeadPoolX]

Try removing your cookies, close and then open the browser and allow ALL cookies. Then go to the website/message board you want and see what cookies it gives you. There may be more than you think.

Once you know you can log it, add whatever security measures you feel are necessary for cookies. If you can log in, then you've figured out the problem and your previous settings were blocking all the cookies. If you find you can't log in now, then you need to modify your settings again.

As for IE, I'd recommend updating that browser to version 7. IE can still be a little flaky and depending on the site, a potential security risk, but overall, the newer version is much better. IE7 has numerous security features built into it. How well they work is anyone's guess, but so long as you're not visiting questionable websites, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmmmm. Well, it appears that my problems are over... I tested my email account and yuku account at my parents' place, and both of them worked. A few hours later, I tested them again here at my flat, and they work here too - why, I'm really not sure - but at any rate, it looks like I'm back in business. *smile* Thanks for your help!

*EDIT...* Arrrghhh.... looks like I spoke too soon. That old trouble's back again, just a day after it subsided. What on earth is going on?

I'm not so stressed about the yuku messageboards as I am about my email, since it won't even let me into my inbox, let alone do anything else. Argh. *tears his hair out*