Hello,
I have the following problem and would welcome any help. 3 days ago I got some type of spyware which I eventually cleaned up. My computer appears to be functioning like before with one exception. It is just impossible to log on to Gmail. I am using 3 different browsers (opera, chrome, Internet explorer)and the all show that this page cannot be loaded. I can get on to google search engine but all the other google combinations (gmail, googlemail, mail.google.com, google talk, picasaweb, etc) appear to be blocked. I tried my security settings, disabling my firewall, closing my virus programs etc but nothing works. This problem is on my laptop only and the other two home computers using the same wireless access can log on to Gmail. I am using my laptop a lot and this is the one which cannot function. With my limited knowledge, I concluded that the problem is not browser related, not service provider related, but it must me a windows problem probably caused by the malware taht I thought I cleaned up. All the scans show that all is ok. Any help will be very much appreciated. Thanks.
Google Tutor » General Google Q&A
Impossible to log on to Gmail.
(6 posts)-
Douris
MemberPosted 2 months ago # -
this sounds like something with your host file which is common for malware to fool with.
your hosts file should look something like it does in the first pic in this post:
http://blog.priveonlabs.com/sec_blog.php?c=1&more=1&p=51&pb=1&tb=1
if it has extra entries as shown in the second pic, something added them, usually malware and this can keep you from accessing certain sites.
all you have to do is remove the entries and save the file. just in case you have a legit reason for some of those entries (not common) you should save a copy of the original host file just in case you need to restore it.
Posted 2 months ago # -
Douris
MemberMany many thanks for your advice. I think we are 95% there. I went into the hosts file and it was massively attacked with over 60 lines of google related addresses etc. My problem now is that despite many efforts I cannot save the edited hosts file. I think that I do but when I go in I see the original unedited version coming up. Any advice as how to save or effectively edit the hosts file will sve this frustration. I am really sorry I am a pain, but I spent 7 hours researching as to how to save it but all the solutions do not work. My sincerely grateful thanks in anticipation of your reply.
Posted 2 months ago # -
I don't know if you are on Vista or not but I'm betting you can't edit the file because you are not the Admin (or the PC thinks you are not). This seems to be a good solution:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923947
Unfortunately, this is about all the help I can give on this issue. It will be fixed if you fix your host file, beyond that I don't know what to tell you to try. There are other PC forums out there though that know this stuff.
And I can tell one thing -- you should not have to buy any software to fix it. There are many tools that claim to, and they might, but fixing your host file should be very easy, if it isn't, it is really in your best interest to find out why.
Posted 2 months ago # -
Douris
MemberYou are brilliant. Thank you again. I am running Windows XP but the same logic applies. I have managed to save my hosts file and we are back to normal. This is the first time I have used forums for a problem and it has been an unforgettable experience. Fantastic work...!
Posted 2 months ago # -
no problem Douris, glad you got it fixed! forums are great way to get help I use them all the time myself.
Posted 2 months ago #
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