I tried logging into my directNIC account and couldn't get in. So, I opened a trouble ticket. I got an answer within 10 minutes! Great service!!

But (yep, there's a "but"), here's the answer I got from them...

You may need to upgrade your browser to the latest version to view the current directNIC site. We upgraded our security certificate to 128 bits, and some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (those prior to 6.x) cannot handle it. You can download the newest version of IE at http://www.windowsupdate.com/Can you believe this?! They're forcing me to upgrade my system! My computer works - now. But what'll be after the ugrade? With Windows one never knows.

I guess it's somewhat praiseworthy they're having upgraded their security certificate - but hey, my system works - all I ask is access to my directNIC account - for domain names that I paid for. Doesn't seem too much to ask.

Comments anyone? I'm incredulous!

Concerning this issue, I've received responses from directNIC to each of my inquiries within 10 minutes. I may be annoyed at the present, but this is VERY IMPRESSIVE!!

It does seem odd that it is a requirement to have IE6 running to visit the site.

As you mentioned, it is good to be using a better security standard however, they might be themselves a disservice as it's going to lock out a whole lot of customers.

Are you going to upgrade?


Lats...

Originally posted by Lats
Are you going to upgrade?As I write this, my machine is downloading the updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Site. The site stated "Total Size: 541 KB Download Time: 1 min". What did I say before about "with Windows you never know"... I now only have 16MB left to download - it started with 20MB. Where did they get the 541KB from? Just a bit of a difference! Oh well, let's hope it works.

Good luck to you.


Lats...

Well, finished the Windows update and was able to log into my directNIC account. Nice!

Now, what surprises does Windows have in store for me? So far, everything is working.

Great! Windows update got my office computer working, but I still can't login from my home computer. I did a full update and even installed IE6. No dice. (Now I'm waiting for the strange and exotic side effects from an upgrade that I really didn't want, and apparently didn't need.)

Bummer!

There might be a firewall difference between your home and work computers.

Always worth checking out.


Lats...

That's strange. You shouldn't need to install IE6...you should just have to install 128 bit encryption from Windows update for whatever version of IE you're using. :confused:

Originally posted by Abu Mami
As I write this, my machine is downloading the updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Site. The site stated "Total Size: 541 KB Download Time: 1 min". What did I say before about "with Windows you never know"... I now only have 16MB left to download - it started with 20MB. Where did they get the 541KB from? Just a bit of a difference! Oh well, let's hope it works.


Well, that 451 kb file is the IE installation program. It allows you to pick and choose the components you want to download with IE.

Originally posted by Lats
It does seem odd that it is a requirement to have IE6 running to visit the site.

As you mentioned, it is good to be using a better security standard however, they might be themselves a disservice as it's going to lock out a whole lot of customers.Regardless of what they said in that support response, you don't need to upgrade to IE6 to log on at DirectNIC... you just need to have 128-bit encryption.

Originally posted by JayC
Regardless of what they said in that support response, you don't need to upgrade to IE6 to log on at DirectNIC... you just need to have 128-bit encryption. I know. I merely performed a Windows update (without an upgrade to IE6) on my office computer and that was enough to get it working. However, I couldn't login after the Windows update on my home computer so I figured I'd try the IE6 upgrade. That still didn't work - and I still don't have access to my directNIC account from my home computer.

Originally posted by JayC
Regardless of what they said in that support response, you don't need to upgrade to IE6 to log on at DirectNIC... you just need to have 128-bit encryption.

I believe the problem is with your computer/browser; not Directnic.

I just logged into Directnic using IE6, Netscape 4.72, and Netscape 3.0. Yes, that's right. I have an ancient copy of Netscape 3.0 on my computer for testing purposes. It was ugly, and I had to disable javascript to get rid of some errors, but again, I logged into Directnic using Netscape 3.0.

I'll try to attach an image..

And to prove it was Netscape 3.0..

Originally posted by normaldude
I believe the problem is with your computer/browser; not Directnic.Well, I'm also convinced it's not a directNIC problem, but I sure wish I knew what the problem was. As I mentioned, I can login using my office machine, but I can't login using my home machine. Both use Win2K and I did the Windows update on both.

Originally posted by Abu Mami
Well, I'm also convinced it's not a directNIC problem, but I sure wish I knew what the problem was. As I mentioned, I can login using my office machine, but I can't login using my home machine. Both use Win2K and I did the Windows update on both.

In IE, try:
1) Tools > Internet Options > Security > Default Level > Apply
2) Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Default > Apply
3) Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > "Use SSL 2.0" (checked), and "Use SSL 3.0" (checked)

Other than that, I don't know..

Originally posted by normaldude
In IE, try:
1) Tools > Internet Options > Security > Default Level > Apply
2) Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Default > Apply
3) Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > "Use SSL 2.0" (checked), and "Use SSL 3.0" (checked)Tried it. No dice.

Other than that, I don't know.. Makes two of us. Thanks anyhow.

Well, I just got another response from directNIC about this issue.Make sure the version of IE 6 you are using is using 128 cypher strength. Not all versions do and this is most likely the problem.Well guess what? They're right. I checked in the IE About and I only have 56 bit cipher strength. The question is - Why?!

I did the update via the Windows update web site. Why did it install the "wrong" version? Why shouldn't it install the full 128 bit cipher version?

Does anyone know how I can get do an update to 128 bit?

Thanks in advance for any help, and thank you to all who have already chipped in.

Something from the Micro$oft site:

Microsoft makes the following 128-bit encryption upgrades available for free worldwide download, except in U.S. embargoed destinations. These upgrades can be applied to versions that previously shipped with weaker (40-bit or 56-bit) cryptography.

I checked your location - is that the reason?

I'm don't know, as I don't really keep up with current political events.


Lats...

Originally posted by Lats
I checked your location - is that the reason?Nope, we're not embargoed. Also, my office machine works just fine. It's only my home machine that won't cooperate.

I'm don't know, as I don't really keep up with current political events.sigh :-(

Well, finally found the answer buried in the readme file that comes with IE. There is a section on high-level security that has this URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/recommended/encryption/default.asp

I tried running the Windows update several times and was not able to find this. Anyhow, ran it, and amazing! It works!

Phew! End of story. Thanks to everyone for the help and comments.