IE 8 particular about which web sites

I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

On Wed, 18 May 2016 09:09:32 -0400, John B. Smith wrote:
I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

Most web developers don't like MSIE and have decided not to support it. Main
reason is that older MSIE versions don't support the web standards well.
i.e. many functions are not or not yet implemented in the browser.

And most sites nowadays don't provide a fallback mechanism if the client
uses MSIE. So, the sites either assume that the browser is 100% web standard
compliance, or detect the browser and do nothing on their site's
initialization script. Both case will cause the site to be partially or
fully non functional.

Since MSIE v9 and newer aren't applicable for WinXP, my suggestion is to try
using the only remaining option which are the Chrome/Chromium, or Safari
browsers. Some other browsers use the same browser engine as Firefox or
Chrome/Chromium, but they may fixed the printing problem, so I suggest
checking what they offer aside from the original Firefox or Chrome/Chromium.

| I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
| time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
| that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
| there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
| use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
| Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
| but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

It's hard to know without details. Which sites?
They used to work until recently? I also mostly
use XP, but haven't used IE online since about
2000. I don't even update IE normally. More
often than not it's an ordeal.

I've had to stop supporting IE 11 and
Edge on my own website because Microsoft
have broken much of their own browers' functionality
starting with IE11. But I don't know of any
problems with IE8. The only thing I could guess
would be that some websites (Google comes to
mind) can be obnoxious about demanding newest
versions of things. That can usually be dealt with
in Firefox by spoofing the userAgent, but IE
accomodates only limited spoofing. So if that's
the problem you may be stuck.

John B. Smith wrote:
I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

It would help to have a failure URL, for comparison testing.

********

https://blog.cloudflare.com/sha-1-de...r-left-behind/

(using fallback ??? In a case I expected to fail,
this thing passed, so I don't trust it.)

sha2test.salesforce.com

(General test for browser. Use this to compare your
"best" browser, versus the other ones.)

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html

*******

The printing on Firefox is likely to be done by Cairo.
That's an open source graphics architecture, which was
included into Firefox at one point, before it was
even finished. Previous to around Firefox 3, there
might have been a different print engine. It's just
possible Cairo is used in LibreOffice, but I'd have
to go look that up to verify it.

https://blog.mozilla.org/joe/category/firefox/

"We also need Cairo for printing support"

Paul

John B. Smith wrote:

I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

More likely your unidentified problem is "Some web sites particular
about IE version". Most web sites evolve to eventually require newer
security or newer features from newer web browsers. They not only check
that you visit them using a web browser their site supports but also
using a version of that web browser that is capable of handling the
features they code into their evolving site.

Awhile back, some sites started refusing to connect to IE5 clients.
Then sites moved on over time to more robust page content and began
refusing connects from IE6 clients. Later sites started rejected IE8
clients because those were incapable of supporting features the sites
required. Some are now rejecting connects from IE9 clients.

IE5.5 - released Jul 2000 (15 years ago)
IE6 - released Aug 2001 (14 years ago)
IE7 - released Oct 2006 ( 9 years ago)
IE8 - released Mar 2009 ( 7 years ago)
IE9 - released Mar 2011 ( 5 years ago)

Sites can do the same restrictions on older versions of other web
browsers, too. That you "forever" retain a URL (favorite or bookmark)
to a web site does not preclude that web site from evolving to require
functionality available only in later versions of a web browser. They
can and will change despite your choice not to change.

Internet Explorer 6 is the base version that comes with Windows XP.
Internet Explorer 8 is the highest version you can install on Windows
XP. As time moves on, more sites will reject connects from IE8. The
"fix" is you installing the latest version of an alternate web browser
that still supports Windows XP, like Mozilla's Firefox. I never
recommend Google's Chrome but Slimjet is a good Chromium choice and
there is a portable version, too.

For Firefox:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb...ons-windows-xp
Firefox 3.6.28 and Firefox 12 are the last versions of Firefox that will
work with the original version of Windows XP and Windows XP Service Pack
1.

For Slimjet:
Regarding support for Windows XP-Vista and 32-bit Linux
2016-03-13 07:28:57
Slimjet will continue to support Windows XP for as long as technically
possible.

You can get the latest version of Slimjet to work on your Windows XP
setup. For Firefox, make sure you are service pack levels 2 or 3 to
gets versions later than noted above. You're stuck with IE8 as the
latest you can use of that web browser on Windows XP.

A restaurant with a dress code may mandate the presence of a tie on its
male customers. To eliminate those wearing just ties and pants (no
shirt, no shoes), they update their dress code to require shirt, tie,
long pants, and shoes. They may eventually update their dress code to
require a tie, suit, and shoes. They changed. If you don't then you
have to eat elsewhere.

On 05/18/2016 09:46 AM, JJ wrote:

[snip]

Since MSIE v9 and newer aren't applicable for WinXP, my suggestion is to try
using the only remaining option which are the Chrome/Chromium, or Safari
browsers.

Chrome has discontinued support for XP.
The latest Safari Windows version was released in 2007.
Firefox and Opera still support XP. Opera looks like Chrome.

Some other browsers use the same browser engine as Firefox or
Chrome/Chromium, but they may fixed the printing problem, so I suggest
checking what they offer aside from the original Firefox or Chrome/Chromium.


--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Being surprised at the fact that the universe is fine tuned for life is
akin to a puddle being surprised at how well it fits its hole" --
Douglas Adams

On 05/18/2016 04:16 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

[snip]

A restaurant with a dress code may mandate the presence of a tie on its
male customers.

I've worn a tie ONCE. For just a few seconds. I never liked the feeling
of being strangled.

BTW, that's before I learned about ties symbolizing something like that.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"Being surprised at the fact that the universe is fine tuned for life is
akin to a puddle being surprised at how well it fits its hole" --
Douglas Adams

On Wed, 18 May 2016 17:51:59 -0500, Mark Lloyd wrote:

Chrome has discontinued support for XP.

You probably mean Chrome _developers_ have discontinued support for XP,
because older Chrome versions still work fine on XP.

The latest Safari Windows version was released in 2007.

You'll never know until you try.

Opera looks like Chrome.

The current Opera (v15+) is a Chrome clone. It's not the original Opera.

Mark Lloyd wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

A restaurant with a dress code may mandate the presence of a tie on
its male customers.

I've worn a tie ONCE. For just a few seconds. I never liked the
feeling of being strangled.

Then you don't eat at those fancy schmancy restaurants because they
won't let you in. Ever try to wear just swimming trunks (no shirt, no
shoes) at one of these that require you wear a [suit] jacket?

http://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/11-r...cket-slideshow

Try going here with just swimming trunks (no shirt, no shoes) or even
with a shirt but wearing jeans and sneakers:

http://www.21club.com/web/onyc/frequ..._questions.jsp

Do they care that they lose your business? No, because you would never
go there even if you did own a business suit. The cater to a crowd of
which you don't associate. You've also never been in the wealthy upper
class that dines at members-only clubs.

I bet the one time you did have to eat at a high-end restaurant with a
dress code that made you wear a tie (sometimes they'll provide you with
one) was because someone dragged you there or you were trying to impress
a new [prospective] girlfriend. You spent the money to impress but
didn't bother doing that again.

On 05/18/2016 08:43 PM, JJ wrote:
On Wed, 18 May 2016 17:51:59 -0500, Mark Lloyd wrote:

Chrome has discontinued support for XP.

You probably mean Chrome _developers_ have discontinued support for XP,
because older Chrome versions still work fine on XP.

They do. There may be a problem obtaining such an early version.

The latest Safari Windows version was released in 2007.

You'll never know until you try.

Did you mean to say something here? Are you saying something about a
later Windows version? Where would you get it?

Opera looks like Chrome.

The current Opera (v15+) is a Chrome clone. It's not the original Opera.


Yes, and I thought it was on the way to being an even better browser. I
still have the last Presto version installed on one machine. It's a
different browser.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real
labor of thinking." -- Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792)

| I bet the one time you did have to eat at a high-end restaurant with a
| dress code that made you wear a tie (sometimes they'll provide you with
| one) was because someone dragged you there or you were trying to impress
| a new [prospective] girlfriend. You spent the money to impress but
| didn't bother doing that again.

That's getting a bit personal. I don't know
what kind of flea-bitten restaurants you go
to. The fancy places I frequent are happy to
lend me a laptop with IE11 so that I can have
a classy meal. A *really* classy place would
never embarass their customers by saying,
in front of your date, "Sorry, sir, but the
arrugula saladette doesn't support IE8." Only
the nouveau riche places obsessed with social
climbing do that.

On Wed, 18 May 2016 12:57:53 -0400, Paul wrote:
Thanks a lot guys, it looks like my IE8 just aged out rather than
developing a bug.

John B. Smith wrote:
I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?

It would help to have a failure URL, for comparison testing.

********
Heres one that won't work, I thought I had dozens but when I went to
look I couldn't find that many.
https://webmail.nycap.rr.com/do/mail/folder/view

https://blog.cloudflare.com/sha-1-de...r-left-behind/

(using fallback ??? In a case I expected to fail,
this thing passed, so I don't trust it.)

sha2test.salesforce.com

(General test for browser. Use this to compare your
"best" browser, versus the other ones.)

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html

*******
Yup that site says IE8 is outdated.
The printing on Firefox is likely to be done by Cairo.
That's an open source graphics architecture, which was
included into Firefox at one point, before it was
even finished. Previous to around Firefox 3, there
might have been a different print engine. It's just
possible Cairo is used in LibreOffice, but I'd have
to go look that up to verify it.

https://blog.mozilla.org/joe/category/firefox/

"We also need Cairo for printing support"

Paul
My Firefox looks to be up to 46. something.
Loss of a Microsoft browser is not a good enough reason to try and
switch to full time Win7, too many of my programs won't install over
there. But I WAS worried enough about obsolesence to install it on my
machine in dual boot for a fallback. I'm not fond of ties or fancy
restaurants. Only reason to be in one is to spend money if on an
expense account. When I DID have a meals allowance (hardly the same
thing) I ate at MacDonalds and charged the max (no receipts required,
it was the GOOD old days). Neckties can be used to tie stuff ie a
flashlight to a tree limb while burying a body. Just sayin, they're
not completely useless.

On Thu, 19 May 2016 07:03:12 -0500, Mark Lloyd wrote:

They do. There may be a problem obtaining such an early version.

There's an alternative which is better: Chromium.

Did you mean to say something here? Are you saying something about a
later Windows version? Where would you get it?

I meant Safari despite only having older version for Windows, might be able
to work on the problematic site and don't have printing prolem.

Mayayana wrote:

I don't know what kind of flea-bitten restaurants you go to.

I wasn't the one with an aversion to wearing a tie, or shirt, or shoes.
(Or using a better and more recent web browser required by a site.)

The fancy places I frequent are happy to lend me a laptop with IE11 so
that I can have a classy meal.

I already provided a list of places the will NOT let you wander in
without a tie or suit. You will NOT get a classy meal there wearing
your ratty old dirty jeans.

A *really* classy place would never embarass their customers by
saying, in front of your date, "Sorry, sir, but the arrugula
saladette doesn't support IE8."

Never would get that far. They wouldn't let you past their entrance
with your ratty old dirty jeans (IE8). Their restaurant, their rules.
You are telling me in your history of retail dining that you never
encountered a restaurant that says "No shirt, no shoes, no service"?

Way too many users forget whose property a web site is. Those users
feel entitled just because it was doled out to them for free. Not their
site, not their rules.

John B. Smith wrote:
On Wed, 18 May 2016 12:57:53 -0400, Paul wrote:
Thanks a lot guys, it looks like my IE8 just aged out rather than
developing a bug.

John B. Smith wrote:
I'm running dual-boot Win7 and WinXP. In XP (where I spend 90% of my
time) the Internet Explorer 8 won't display certain websites (sites
that have been in Favorites forever). I'd ask this in the XP group but
there doesn't seem to be anything going on over there. I habitually
use Firefox for a browser and only resort to IE8 for printing, whIch
Firefox does't do well. So this sudden failure isn't hurting me much
but it still bugs me. Anyone know of a fix?
It would help to have a failure URL, for comparison testing.

********
Heres one that won't work, I thought I had dozens but when I went to
look I couldn't find that many.
https://webmail.nycap.rr.com/do/mail/folder/view
https://blog.cloudflare.com/sha-1-de...r-left-behind/

(using fallback ??? In a case I expected to fail,
this thing passed, so I don't trust it.)

sha2test.salesforce.com

(General test for browser. Use this to compare your
"best" browser, versus the other ones.)

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html

*******
Yup that site says IE8 is outdated.
The printing on Firefox is likely to be done by Cairo.
That's an open source graphics architecture, which was
included into Firefox at one point, before it was
even finished. Previous to around Firefox 3, there
might have been a different print engine. It's just
possible Cairo is used in LibreOffice, but I'd have
to go look that up to verify it.

https://blog.mozilla.org/joe/category/firefox/

"We also need Cairo for printing support"

Paul
My Firefox looks to be up to 46. something.
Loss of a Microsoft browser is not a good enough reason to try and
switch to full time Win7, too many of my programs won't install over
there. But I WAS worried enough about obsolesence to install it on my
machine in dual boot for a fallback. I'm not fond of ties or fancy
restaurants. Only reason to be in one is to spend money if on an
expense account. When I DID have a meals allowance (hardly the same
thing) I ate at MacDonalds and charged the max (no receipts required,
it was the GOOD old days). Neckties can be used to tie stuff ie a
flashlight to a tree limb while burying a body. Just sayin, they're
not completely useless.

Some eating establishments, provide clip-on ties
for customers who are not wearing a tie when
they arrive. For an extra-classy eating
experience.

*******

I tried your link:

https://webmail.nycap.rr.com/do/mail/folder/view

and a pretty old version of Firefox opened it fine.

IE6 on the other hand, reports "the page cannot be
displayed", implying some encryption or certificate
signature cannot be handled properly.

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/anal...l.nycap.rr.com

#1 Certificate uses: "Signature algorithm SHA256withRSA"
#3 Certificate : "Signature algorithm SHA1withRSA WEAK"

Server supports TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.2. My copy of Firefox
used in the test, only covers TLS 1.0. So TLS 1.0 would
be considered the fallback. I have specifically turned
off SSL 3 in that copy of Firefox.

I'm not even roughly familiar with all the steps in
accepting an HTTPS connection. I can't really be
sure what broke for you. Maybe that #1 Certificate
caused the problem. Try testing the site from
both browsers, to see if that makes a difference to
the server test suite.

You can try testing each browser with this. Which
should review browser-end capabilities. I don't
think IE6 reports any "256" entries in the cipher
suite.

https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html

Paul