computer issues

[red bandit]

I have issues when I try to log on to my work web site from my home computer. Some sites I can't open at all. The last couple weeks when I try to log on to my work e-mail I go to the log in site, log in, and get this, which is normal for at home.

Warning

The page you are trying to access comes from a server with the following certificate problems:
The certificate is self signed
You may choose to continue on to the page. Your browsing will be secure, but the identity of the web server may be untrustworthy.


I clic continue and get this.


Cannot read from the server webmail1.xxxxxx.org. The server may be temporarily unavailable. If the problem persists, contact your system administrator.
Return to previous page

I hit the back button three times to get back to the log on page, do it over and it lets me log on. I wrote the computer people at work and they said.


I have discussed this with issues with other IS staff and we are all in agreement that the issue is most likely with your computer at home. It sounds as if there is a certificate that needs updating, perhaps JAVA, or another application as well.
If this is a personal computer per IS policies we are not allowed to work on the machine.

Can anyone help me with this? I don't have a clue.

[CatatonicBug]

Have you tried using a different browser? If you are using IE, try using Chrome or Firefox and see if anything changes. When you log into your mail, does it use Outlook Web Access (OWA), from an Exchange server?

Try deleting your temporary internet files. In IE, go to Tools | Internet Options, then under the "Browsing History" section on the first tab, hit Delete, then Delete again.

Also, since they mentioned JAVA, go to your Control Panel (Start | Settings | Control Panel) and choose Add/Remove Programs. Uninstall anything that says Java or JRE on it. There may be several versions installed. Once that is done, visit http://java.com and download/install the newest version of JAVA.

[Rasputin]

Ok I agree with what Bug said.
That being said, I did have similar issues a couple of days ago just getting on to this site. I phoned my internet provider and they did what they could do and then told me to phone the company that built my router. They even provided the phone number.
Phoned the company (Linksys in this case) and they were quickly on it. They have several ways of accessing your router and helping with any issues that have to do with any access thru their product. They actually did it all from their end while I was on the phone with them.
I am very happy to say that they were great and did everything to get it done. I tried several things like proxy servers etc to get on the site but that was a pain in the arse. Now any and all sites I want to go to are working better than ever.
Of course this is assuming you are going through a router, but I don't personally know anyone who does not use one these days. JAT but if your router company follows through like mine did you will find the answer in one call.

[red bandit]

Yes it's Outlook Web Access. I don't know if it's from an Exchange server. Don't know what one is. And I don't know what a router is. I'm a computer idiot. I have to leave for work soon so I will try this stuff tomorrow. Thank you guys very much. I have DSL through Frontier phone co. I use Internet Explorer.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Red,

Okay, you have DSL, so you'll have at least a DSL "modem" that you connect the computer into for your internet access. Some ISP(Internet Service Providers...ie. Frontier) sell/lease the modem to you as part of the service, and nowadays, they often provide combo Modems/Routers that allow you to connect both a hardwire Cat5 type ethernet cable to it and your computer, but also access it WIRELESSLY=router function. SO...if you are able to use a laptop or iPad or such wirelessly to your internet access, then you DO have a router/modem combo. My vote is on the cookies in the temporary internet files, and deleting them can help. I've had corrupted cookies that have prevented me from accessing even just www.msn.com , but once I clear the cookies, it connects just fine!

Remember OUR site uses cookies, so after you delete your temp files, you will have to re-log in to this site.

Also, what version of Windows are you running, XP, Vista, 7? IF XP, do you have the SP3 (service pack 3) installed? Are you getting all of the Windows Updates/security updates? Site certificates come with some of the Windows Updates. Also, what version of Internet Explorer are you using? The latest version for XP is 8, that's the last one Windows will be making for XP. Version 9 and now 10 will only work with Vista and 7.

T.C.

[Jerry]

Certificates. Error mentions certificates. This can get complicated.

Two types of certificates, "Self-signed" and "Authoritative." "Self-signed" is issued by the host computer and is free. "Authoritative" are issued by an issuing authority and are recognized by browsers without question.

Certificates verify that the host is who it claims to be and is part of internet security. Self-signed certificates are not as secure as Authoritive certs.

This sounds like a problem I had a couple months ago. A server was replaced with a new server of the same name. Both used self-signed certificates. Problem was the new server had a new certificate and the computer still had the old certificate - same name - and would not connect to the new server. Browser was FireFox.

Answer was to go into FireFox, delete the old certificate, and let the computer accept the new cert.

In Firefox,
1. From the menubar select the menu item “Tools>>Options”
2. In the “Options” window, select “Advanced”
3. Select “Encryption” tab
4. Click the “View Certificates” button
5. In the “Certificate Manager” window, select the “Servers” tab
6. In the list of servers, select your e-mail server
7. Click the “Delete” button
8. Confirm the certificate exception deletion

With Internet Explorer:
Tools > Internet Options > Content > Certificates
Click on the Personal tab
Now the tricky part - determining which one is the e-mail certificate. There should be a brief note associated with each cert describing what it is for. You will have to see if you can find the right one as there may be more than 1.

If you can identify the right cert, click on it and hit the "Delete" button.

The next time you go the your e-mail web page a new cert will be loaded in Internet Explorer - you may have to click on a "Proceed" button. FireFox will give you an error and ask you to enroll the new cert.

Again, this is advanced troubleshooting if deleting cookies and history does not work. In any event I would suggest you tell your IT group to bite the bullet and get an Authoritive cert from Go Daddy or Network Associates or other recognized source. That will cure a lot of problems for people working at home or outside the office.

[red bandit]

I did all that and it didn't change anything. Still the same as my first post. Thanks for your help.

[Hmar]

You could also try calling frontier, as it may be an issue in between you and the exchange server (outlook web access is a feature of MS Exchange)
Your IS dept. should be able to tell you what ports are needed for access, ISPs do sometimes block certain ports for home accounts.
There are a host of issues that can cause this problem, and you really will need the help of your IS dept. If you need to work while at home, and they can't help you with a personal computer (reasonable) than maybe they should be providing you with a computer.

[Jerry]

Just a thought, forgot to mention it in my earlier post. If you have a domain login (used at work to log in to your employer's network) you may want to try logging into your web page e-mail account using your domain name\user name instead of just your user name. This tells the web page server where to look to see if you have a valid account. Microsoft Outlook seems to require this on initial login but "remembers" your credentials for subsequent logins. I configure all of my user accounts (login name = domain\user) to use the domain name\user name combination to avoid this issue for new employees.

[scoot]

For the past few days I've been unable to access this site only. Right now I'm in, but I don't expect it to last. Pm'd TC for help, then found this thread.

scoot

[red bandit]

The last few days it's been working like it's supossed to. Thanks for all your help.