Mr. Fix-It Services

Problems renewing then viewing my site

I recently needed to renew my website, hosted by bytehost.com, but was unable to access the client area to do so. I tried two different computers, and two different browsers before finally figuring out the problem. The advice below could be adapted to almost any problematic website.

To "fix" the problem, you can either temporarily disable the HOSTS file, or edit the HOSTS file, which may be blocking the site(s) that you are trying to access...

1. Disable the HOSTS file with "HOSTS Switcher" (http://www.woodenpickle.com/code/hostswitch.html)

and/or

2. Close all browsers, then edit the HOSTS file with "HostsXpert" (http://www.funkytoad.com/) -- first use the option to make the file write-enabled, find and remove all lines with byet.net, byet.org and possibly byet.com (substitute your own site), then make the file write-protected (read-only) again.

After I finally renewed my site, however, I found I was unable to view it!

These are the steps to do if this happens to you...

Do the following on all computers:

1. Clear your browsers' cache and cookies...

Firefox:

• Options > Advanced > Network > Clear Now
• Options > Privacy > Show Cookies > delete all, or as needed

Chrome:

• Options > Under the Hood > Clear browsing data

Internet Explorer:

• From the Safety menu in the upper right, click Delete Browsing History... .
• Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select Temporary Internet files, Cookies, and History.
• Click Delete.

2. Close all browsers.

3. Flush your DNS cache on all computers (for help: http://www.wikihow.com/Flush-DNS), or issue these commands (Win XP can just use the 2nd one):

• Win+R
• cmd
• ipconfig /flushdns

4. Reboot or Restart your Network Router and/or Modem (if you have both restart the modem first, then the router)

5. Restart your computers.

Then try your domain again. It should now work.