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Google searches returning blank pages.

nozzer
Hero
Posts: 3,298
Thanks: 676
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎04-08-2009

Google searches returning blank pages.

Anyone else had this problem? When doing a normal search using IE8 on Google.co.uk the browser goes through the normal millisecond process of gathering results and then just shows an empty page, apart from the Google logo. If I disable my firewall it works ok. If I search Google from the embedded search engine tool on IE8, even with the firewall on, it works fine.
7 REPLIES 7
Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
Thanks: 787
Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Which Firewall are you using
nozzer
Hero
Posts: 3,298
Thanks: 676
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎04-08-2009

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Norton unfortunately!  Smiley
alanf
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 1,931
Thanks: 78
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎17-10-2007

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

I have no problems with IE8 and Norton Internet Security 2010 firewall.
nozzer
Hero
Posts: 3,298
Thanks: 676
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎04-08-2009

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Now then....  Google.co.uk's IP address is 216.239.59.103. If I replace the google.co.uk bit in the URL with this it works! Is this a DNS lookup problem?
bobpullen
Community Gaffer
Community Gaffer
Posts: 16,869
Thanks: 4,950
Fixes: 315
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Doubt it's a DNS lookup problem if the Google image is displaying (unless it's cached locally).
Try [tt]nslookup google.co.uk[/tt] from a command line, you should get something like this:
C:\Users\Bobby>nslookup google.co.uk
Server:  cdns02.plus.net
Address:  212.159.6.10
Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    google.co.uk
Addresses:  209.85.227.104
          209.85.227.106
          209.85.227.99
          209.85.227.103
          209.85.227.105
          209.85.227.147

Bob Pullen
Plusnet Product Team
If I've been helpful then please give thanks ⤵

ReedRichards
Seasoned Pro
Posts: 4,927
Thanks: 145
Fixes: 25
Registered: ‎14-07-2009

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Quote from: nozzer
Now then....   Google.co.uk's IP address is 216.239.59.103. If I replace the google.co.uk bit in the URL with this it works! Is this a DNS lookup problem?

There is a nasty virus doing the rounds at the moment that acts as a DNS changer, so substitutes its own DNS, irrespective on the one you think you are using.  Usually that produces a normal listing in Google but then takes you somewhere different if you click on some of the links.  Norton does not detect this virus, or it didn't last week. 
nozzer
Hero
Posts: 3,298
Thanks: 676
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎04-08-2009

Re: Google searches returning blank pages.

Quote from: Bob
Doubt it's a DNS lookup problem if the Google image is displaying (unless it's cached locally).
Try [tt]nslookup google.co.uk[/tt] from a command line, you should get something like this:
C:\Users\Bobby>nslookup google.co.uk
Server:  cdns02.plus.net
Address:  212.159.6.10
Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    google.co.uk
Addresses:  209.85.227.104
          209.85.227.106
          209.85.227.99
          209.85.227.103
          209.85.227.105
          209.85.227.147


Thanks Bob...  it returns this, which looks pretty similar to me...
C:\>nslookup google.co.uk
Server:  voyager.home
Address:  192.168.1.1

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    google.co.uk
Addresses:  209.85.227.103,
                      209.85.227.99,
                      209.85.227.105,
                      209.85.227.104
                      209.85.227.106,
                      209.85.227.147

Quote
There is a nasty virus doing the rounds at the moment that acts as a DNS changer, so substitutes its own DNS, irrespective on the one you think you are using.  Usually that produces a normal listing in Google but then takes you somewhere different if you click on some of the links.  Norton does not detect this virus, or it didn't last week.

Thanks Reed..  problem is that it doesn't even produce any links to click on!