Thread: 403 Forbidden

Could it be some kind of DNS issue? Have they changed hosts? You sure you are getting to the right website?



If i ping the website is get

C:\Users\user11>ping needlebar.org

Pinging needlebar.org [213.229.86.50] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 213.229.86.50: bytes=32 time=322ms TTL=55
Reply from 213.229.86.50: bytes=32 time=334ms TTL=55
Reply from 213.229.86.50: bytes=32 time=320ms TTL=55
Reply from 213.229.86.50: bytes=32 time=322ms TTL=55

Hi Joez,

I don't have a clue about pinging, so unfortunately, I don't understand your last post.

I tried doing a system restore, that didn't fix it. I tried firing up my son's computer, Windows 7, same message.

Let's hope the problem is with the web site, although, if some members can get on, we all should be able to. What a bummer.

Ken

Originally Posted by joez

Hi Ken, link works fine for me, try this link and if it fails cut and paste the exact message (screen shot would be even better).

NeedleBar • Index page

joez

This link works for me in IE8

Try connecting via a proxy:

http://proxy.org/cgi_proxies.shtml

...to rule out IP address related bans (ie the site admin might have banned a range of IP addresses for abuse, or they were talking about 'that' partiuclar make of sewing machine that the admin doesn't like, or something like that).

Hi MS,

Since I know absolutely zilch about proxies, please guide me through, step by step, on what to do.

I fired up the link you gave me, and that took me to a proxy site. I typed Needlebar.org into the only place I could see, and it took me to some obscure site with absolutely nothing to do with the Needlebar site. How dumb am I?

Joez,

A cut and paste of the link you gave me, didn't work

Ken

Try it with this proxy site:

http://free-proxy.me/index.php

Access to Needlebar.org works for me via a web proxy server freeproxyserver.net

I can get the site with no problem with Firefox.

Hey MS,

You are a bloody genius. OK, I can access the site via your link, but where do I go from there?

What does using a proxy mean, and how do I fix things up so I can access Needlebar.org normally?

Ken

If you have been following my plight, can any kind member explain why I can't access Needlebar.org via Firefox/Google etc, and yet can access the site via a proxy server......and why is it that some members CAN get on without a problem?

I'm using Windows XP, Firefox and Bigpond.net.au

What's going on?

Ken

From what you describe I would suspect that a group of IP addresses have been blocked by the admins, yours amongst them. When you go through a proxy server you show a different IP address and are let through.

I use Bigpond cable and managed to get through ok.

I suspect that Groggy is on the mark here.

I've just checked your IP Ken and it begins with 120.144 for here on this forum which means it would be same for Needlebar. This would also explain why I can't get on to Needlebar as well as my current IP begins with 120.144 as well.

You now need to go back to Admin on Needlebar and ask if any IPs in the range of 120.144 have been blocked by either them or their server.

For more information than you may want to know about proxy servers, check out Wikipedia.

As others have said, it would seem that your IP address, along with others, has been blocked. There's no other explanation that fits - unless of course your own PC is harbouring some nasty infection. I don't know of anything that specific though.

The admin at the site you're trying to access may be able to view logs that will show the attempts to access from your IP address. They may have to deal with their own ISP if it's blocked at a higher level.

FWIW, needlbar.org is just one of many domains hosted at same IP address, 270 at latest count! If certain IP addresses are blocked by the ISP (Evohosting.co.uk), it would affect these hosts as well, Try to connect to one of the following (picked from the full list at random)

gadgets-4-free.co.uk
railwaysleepers.com

If it's a block at the ISP level, then you should get the same 403 message.

ok DJ

Have sent another email to the Administrator, asking if certain addresses starting with 120.144 have been inadvertently blocked. I suspect not, as in an earlier email, the Administrator informed me that all addresses used by Bigpond are clear. The saga continues.

Ken