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Safari 5.1 suddenly cannot connect to server when accessing Google?

I have always had my homepage set to www.google.co.uk but all of a sudden when I launch Safari 5.1 it's throwing up there error message 'Safari can't connect to the server', any ideas?

iMac 24" intel, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Aug 7, 2011 3:27 AM

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68 replies

Aug 21, 2011 11:24 PM in response to Linc Davis

@ Linc. I don't really understand the meanings within this hosts file but would I be right in guessing that it's weird to have exactly the same local/broadcast numbers as someone else? (Dmoore84).


127.0.0.1 localhost

255.255.255.255 broadcasthost

::1 localhost

fe80::1%lo0 localhost


I don't however have a list under that.


My problem is not only Google but mainly Facebook. "Can't find the server" a few times each day. Same with Firefox. I downloaded the Flash updater too. the link was from a popup while using Firefox.


Linc what do think?

Aug 21, 2011 11:41 PM in response to Glyn In Wales

Glyn In Wales wrote:


@ Linc. I don't really understand the meanings within this hosts file but would I be right in guessing that it's weird to have exactly the same local/broadcast numbers as someone else? (Dmoore84).


127.0.0.1 localhost

255.255.255.255 broadcasthost

::1 localhost

fe80::1%lo0 localhost

That looks perfect. Everybody has the same localhost address which is understood to be a loopback to the host computer. That way programs directed to "localhost" know to look on the computer rather than go out to the network and/or the internet.

My problem is not only Google but mainly Facebook. "Can't find the server" a few times each day. Same with Firefox. I downloaded the Flash updater too. the link was from a popup while using Firefox.

Hmmm, and I think you said you don't have the updater any more, correct.


At this point I think you just need to fire up the Terminal app and give "dscacheutil -flushcache" without the quotes, a try.

Aug 22, 2011 12:07 AM in response to MadMacs0

No I didn't keep the updater after installation. Just checked the cookies in Firefox and there is one Adobe.com which wasn't there a couple of days ago (I did the update on Saturday I think) which would suggest that it is the kosher updater?


Just tried dscacheutil -flushcache. Should I have seen any message?


Don't know if this is connected or relevant but in Safari's cookie list I keep getting one at the top "30]" which is described as a plug in. Only appeared this morning. I have deleted it about 10 times and it reappears within seconds. Also odd was that when I opened the cookie list there were 70+ new ones from really weird sites that I've visited. that's never happened before either.


Cheers for the info anyway ;-)

Aug 26, 2011 7:45 AM in response to macboydesign

A few days ago Safari would no longer go online, so I deleted the com.apple.Safari.plist file, then relaunched Safari and it worked!


This morning, I launched Safari, and it would not go online. I opened up Firefox with no problem, which is where I'm posting this message from.


I've tried trashing the com.apple.Safari.plist several times this morning, then relaunching Safari, but it will still not go online.


Any other ideas of how to solve this issue ... ???

Aug 27, 2011 7:54 PM in response to macboydesign

Hi


I am wondering if one of you could help me please.


I have been trying to follow these instructions but Im all lost when it comes to finding the hosts file. Dont really understand how to do it. I have been following from page 1.


Not 100% sure this is my issue but been on phone all day with ISP and been emailing back and forth all day with web host. Here is what I have. Last night I could access my blog on my website and use my ftp. This morning I could not. When ping and a traceroute I get Permission denied on both ping and traceroute. The odd thing here is that I can access my other parts of my website and other websites, just not my blog and I am unable to ftp. When I open the ftp it just says, "Connecting to server", "Server busy - waiting to retry". Over and over. In Safari it says, Safari can't open the page because Safari can't connect to the server.


Now I am running intego virus software to see if I have a virus and I did an update on it right before I started the scan. Im positive Ive been hijacked because there is no other cause, been on phone with isp and been emailing back n forth with web-host. Oh also, I can connect my ftp to my other websites on different host.


Also, Im not trying to hijack this thread but I think the information in here is my fix. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping. 🙂


Jaeguar

Aug 27, 2011 8:57 PM in response to macboydesign

So I got to my hosts file, it is empty. There is nothing in it. There is a file called hostconfig and it has this in it:


# This file is going away



AFPSERVER=-NO-

AUTHSERVER=-NO-

TIMESYNC=-NO-

QTSSERVER=-NO-


What this all means, I have no clue. But this whole thing is driving me crazy, really. 😟


Any help would be appreciated. Thank you 🙂

Safari 5.1 suddenly cannot connect to server when accessing Google?

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