[Only Topic] My forum won't load

[viankova]

First topic message reminder :

Hi, my forum won't load, while another forum I'm member at loads.


This is the forum when it doesn't load.

Spoiler:

And this is the forum that loads.

Spoiler:

Made an Only Topic.

Please try this.
https://help.forumotion.com/t116016-thank-you-for-following-this-approach#758820

---

Hello,

The problem should be fixed now.

A DNS change has caused this problem. Now, the base DNS configuration has been restored.

Please clear your cache and cookies and check if this issue is fixed, as it should be.

If it's not, here are some different operations that can help to fix the issue :

• Close your browser
  
• Reboot your Internet connection
  
• Clear the DNS cache with an ipconfig/flushdns process (How to do this ?)
  
• If that still doesn't work, save your current DNS info somewhere else and try to change temporarily your DNS for the DNS provided by Google (How to do this ?)
  
  If after all these operations, you still have the loading issues, please provide us :
  
  
• The forum(s) concerned
  
• A screenshot of the error message
  
• Your ISP
  

Thank you very much to all of you for your patience

[Iirlane]

Just let you know, same problem for Estonian user.
Same members can't load forum since yasterday afternoon and more people today.
Guys from that end said its problem with forum's IP address, that something wrong with DNS server.

Many my forum members are newbies to computer (older people) and it's extra frustrating for them.

One member even came up with this>
It's magnetic storm today.
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html

[Hookah]

I wasn't having issues yesterday, but I am now having issues this morning. I keep getting that it can't be loaded, but if I try back every 10 minutes or so, it works....until I try to post something, and then it kicks me off again.

URL: http://www.pimpinpspers.com/
Country: USA
Service Provider: Insight Communications

[Hookah]

For those of us who aren't so computer savvy, this is gibberish. I would like to try it, but I have no idea where to even start.

I posted this last night, but it seems everyone who's posted since hasn't seen it, so I'm going to stick this at the end again, hopefully helping the last two pages of people...

For the techies in the group: the problem is with domain resolution. Some locations (or ISPs, perhaps) are unable to find the DNS records for the domains and collect the IP address(es) that serve the sites. The IPs (servers) themselves are just fine. Editing your hosts file allows you to bypass domain and DNS resolution and go straight to the servers.

There are six IPs you can use: 173.193.11.24, 74.86.217.213, 74.86.217.214, 173.193.11.21, 173.193.11.22, 173.193.11.23
Make sure to change the domain in the example to the site you want to access. If you have more than one site, add more than one line, with each site on its own line.

WORKAROUND!
If you edit your hosts file to set one of the six IPs I list below to your site's domain, you can access the site!

You will need to Google to find your hosts file (every OS is a little different, so I'm not even going to try to detail how to find it). Add a line at the end to the effect of:
173.193.11.23 reverie.forumotion.net

...to the end of your hosts file, save, flush your computer's DNS, and voila! You should have access back. Note: You won't want to leave it this way forever, but this should satisfy most folks' immediate problems until the FM techs can sort out the underlying cause.

EDIT: To clarify, this is not a risky procedure in any way; just because I'm a sysadmin IRL doesn't mean that this is a "secret" workaround that only sysadmins are qualified to do. If it really was a sysadmin secret, you shouldn't be able to find instructions for doing it on Google...

You really can't break anything so long as you are only adding a line (or a few lines) for just FM sites. (And if something really bizarre happens, all you have to do is undo your change.) If you are not comfortable with this, don't do it. Eventually, the problem will be fixed. This just allows you to access you site(s) in the meantime. It is entirely your responsibility to make the change, and to remove the change once the problem is fixed.

[Darren1]

Hookrah, don't attempt that as you will have to remove your modifications later on anyways. My post in here is more then sufficient to fix the issue for a few users, and is what has been reported to other communities experiencing the same issues.
It's an issue that has to correct its self on your personal machine, and will take a small period of time to do so.
In the mean time, all that has been successful is using a proxy, via google.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

[19CenturyWBTS]

Hailing from Austria here and have the same problem since yesterday morning. From one minute to the next I wasn't able to connect to my RPG forum (and what makes matters worse I'm the founder/main administrator): www.19thCenturyWBTS.com

I couldn't even connect to ANY forumotion forum, not even the help forum itself (only using a webproxy I've been able to make this posting, though it doesn't work on my own page for unknown reasons as it won't log me in).

Seeing that this is a really widespread problem that happened for most at roughly the same time is pretty strange indeed. Anyway I hope this gets fixed soon. Thanks!

[Darren1]

As a continuity to fix the issue - It's a high Priority for the developers.
Proceed:
Open the "Start" menu on your computer, write "cmd" in the search and open the proposed application (! Open the application as administrator on Vista!), Type "ipconfig/flushdns" hit enter Ensure there is no spaces otherwise it won't work!
(Hence it didn't work last time)

Connect to your forum(s)
If it doesn't work, re do the process, instead this time, insert: ipconfig/renew

Connect to your forum(s)
If it doesn't work, re do the process, instead this time, insert: ipconfig/renew EL*
Ensure capitals for EL*

Connect to your forum(s).

Alternatively, connect via a proxy

Connections via a proxy have proven to be successful, as a temporary work around.

I do apologize about the inconvenience.

[Tomer Aharonson]

Yea okay, now around 200 people are contacting me saying that they cannot connect to the forums. You're claiming it will auto-fix itself eventually, Darren?

[christien]

We have the same problem in Holland
members can't come online since yesterday

http://seeyoufriends.forumotion.net/

[kirkby1red]

Yea okay, now around 200 people are contacting me saying that they cannot connect to the forums. You're claiming it will auto-fix itself eventually, Darren?

I hope this is the case, but it would be good to know some sort of timescale wouldnt it?

[Algona]

Mine is gone too- in Bulgaria. Interesting- some of the users load it and most of them- not. I, myself do not open it from work, neither this forum here and now I open it from my home ip. Users asked me what is going on and I can't tell them any solution...

[Zeena]

Glad I'm not the only one with these problems. Still can't get onto my site or any forumotion websites unless under a proxy.
URL: http://theafricanstarspack.com/
Country: Canada
Service Provider: Rogers

I've had these problems since yesterday, when it loaded normally in the morning and then just didn't load for 2 hours after I returned home. At about 5:08pm EST I was able to get online for the night, then this morning I couldn't view anything. I have tried everything under the sun, but seeing others having this issue it can't be my computer but instead must be Forumotion related. I'm really hoping this unfortunate event will be fixed soon.

[tengo]

I do apologize about the inconvenience.

Thanks. But obviously Admin level response is needed in this issue.

[Devan]

Yes..Because it's a technical problem

[Tomer Aharonson]

Pretty much nobody can enter most forums of Forumotion, or at least most.

[tengo]

Yes..Because it's a technical problem

Not just because it's technical, but because it is obviously a central, server-side problem that pertains to Forumotion.

[Nahtan-Syab]

You guys do realize it's Saturday, right? This isn't VBulletin. Administrator support won't be readily available until Monday at the earliest, and until then, you need to take advantage of these temporary solutions.

[xrisinkaa]

Hello! All my members cant join in my forum, url www.all-serials.net

[19CenturyWBTS]

OK here's a little update; I've been asking some people I know to try to access my forum and it looks like that most of Europe as well as Australia can't access it.

[tengo]

You guys do realize it's Saturday, right?

Yes we realize it. But people are important on week-ends as well, so let us keep trying to solve.

[GreenFireflyGirl]

I had emails from several members yesterday that no one could access the site. I tried other sites as well and was unable to access any forumotion site. This is Canada wide and US central and east, affecting it. I changed my DNS to a google one and was able to access it, so sent out instructions for my members on how to do it as well, but I am sure that many of them won't. How will this problem resolve itself for those not technical enough to change a setting? Or who missed my email?

[Darren1]

Hi all,

Tomer, at last information from the developers themselves, the problem is corrected on the server side, it is now a localized issue (On your connection).
Yes, according to the developers, it should correct its self over a brief period of time.
Kirkby, no time line possible, as it's down to your connection. Sorry.
Devan, Tengo, please read my response to Tomer.
Nahtan, I do believe the Developers can be working this weekend, I don't know if they are, however, it seems they are not as there hasn't been any additional information passed out, it's now 5PM in France, which is where they are. You are correct

To all,
I'm presently in London and can connect to ALL listed forums, I have also remotely accessed my PC in Australia and connected to all forums, and also had my friend connect to all of your forums, and she is in Poland.
Unfortunately, as I cannot find a reproduction, I cannot work on any further solutions, or troubleshooting.

The best solution is to connect via a proxy. Sorry.

[Hookah]

Wow really? This is the best solution you have? I have almost 300 members and they are going to start leaving before long if this doesn't work its self out.

I understand this is not your fault, but this is getting very frustrating, as my forum is very active and my being able to get in is sporadic, at best. I really hope it fixes it's self soon, as we have challenges ending tomorrow that my members would like to enter.

[Darren1]

Hookah, I am not one of the developers, I am a simple volunteer, I do not get paid.
I will pretend to not read the sarcasm you put in that

From what I am reading from the developers and the French staff, the issue is resolved, and should gradually resolve it's self on your ends in due time.

This was back at 16.03 Today.

[Tomer Aharonson]

Darren, saying it's a localized problem on thousands of computers sounds a bit, illogical. And what if this problem doesn't solve itself out on it's own? You'll be virtually cutting Formulation's customer's audience by 40-60%?

[Tonight]

It's a server-side problem.

If you have few members, tell them to connect through Proxy (http://newipnow.com/ or sth else)

[Darren1]

Tomer, I'm simply relaying the information I have read.
If the issue doesn't resolve its self, the developers will continue working on it on Monday. The French staff will be in contact with the Developers and then they will find and correct the issue.
I don't have contact to them, it's down to if anyone is working in the office today, which isn't likely at 5.23PM on a Saturday - especially on a free platform.

The latest news I have read is that it is now a localized issue, I'm not saying that it's right or wrong, but that is what I have been seeing since last night from the French Volunteers.
I myself am a volunteer, just like everyone else here on this forum except Leeloo (Liaison) & The Godfather. (Technical Administrator - Developer)

[wobblycaptain]

I have just seen this post.

I too have have this problem i have a member of my forum whom is from norway and cant access the forum anymore so he tells me but i can access it ok.

[Tomer Aharonson]

Nobody is blaming you dear, even if you WERE getting payed for this. Blame is not productive and it slows processes down. We all appreciate your help. We are just frustrated, especially the ones who do pay for some extra services from Forumotion, and especially especially the ones who need these platforms for working purposes or studying purposes.

[tengo]

We are just frustrated

Yes, and interested as well.

[Iirlane]

It's a server-side problem.

If you have few members, tell them to connect through Proxy (http://newipnow.com/ or sth else)

I asked my members to use this for today and it works.
But Facebook didn't let post this link, as it's reported as spammer.
(I have forum group in FB for cases like this, so people still can chat and ask for advice. )