Tech Support: How to log in during FreeRepublic DNS problem (3 easy steps on Windows)

FreeRepublic | 4/5/2016 | Self

[20yearsofinternet]

So I noticed a bunch of people have been able to find the trick to getting to FR using the IP in their browser, but can't log in.

Here's a step-by-step guide for Windows on how to log in. NOTE: You need to be an administrator on your machine. You don't have to do anything scary, but you need admin privileges to do the following simple task in step 1.

Step 1: Open Notepad as Administrator

Navigate to Notepad. If you don't have a shortcut handy you can just click the Windows Start button (or in Windows 8+ just press the Windows key) and start typing notepad and it will show as the result. Right-click on it and choose run as administrator.



NOTE: If "run as administrator" is not an option, you aren't an administrator and can't make this change. Sorry!

Step 2: Open hosts file

Once notepad is open, choose to open a file, and then navigate to the path depicted in the screenshot. BE SURE TO CHANGE THE DROPDOWN TO ALL FILES! Open the file called simply "hosts".

Step 3: Add FreeRepublic

Add the IP and domain. Note: You should use the TAB key to create the space between the IP and the domain. If there are other entries in your file, just add the line as depicted in the screenshot at the bottom on its own line. Make sure you DON'T start the line with the # symbol (it's used to "comment out" all the other text in the file).

Then save the file and close notepad.

Step 4: Go to FreeRepublic

For good measure, close and re-open your browser. FR should now load fine and you'll be able to login.

Should there ever be notice that the problem is fixed, just repeat the steps and delete the line you added.

Happy FReeping!

[20yearsofinternet]

Thought some poor souls unable to login might find this useful.

[CreviceTool]

I am OK to browse using the IP address and then my smartphone for posts until this resolves itself. Posted via AT&T Wireless.

[Reeses]

Today the domain freerepublic.com dropped off many DNS alternatives as well, so the hosts mod is now needed. Someone is playing games again.

[20yearsofinternet]

Yeah, I’m assuming there’s some people out there like me who can’t get to the site normally by any means. Time Warner Cable and T-Mobile phone for me, neither of which work.

Also, at some point, depending on when it gets fixed, they’re all going to stop working. It’s just that some providers have the old DNS info cached for longer than others.

[snarkpup]

Is anyone still having problems?

After watching Free Republic disappear and reappear three times yesterday, I edited the hosts file as shown and restarted the browser; and I have seen no problems since. If the DNSs are still messed up, I'm no longer being affected.

[InterceptPoint]

I did the hosts file mod and that worked just fine on my PC. But my iPad and iPhone are still giving me problems. I can reach FR with 209.157.64.200 but if I want to post FR asks me to login. When I do that I end up at localhost.

Hope Jim fixes this soon.

[Raycpa]

Perfect, thanks so much. Any hints on how to fix Nexus access?

[20yearsofinternet]

I was still having problems as of 10 minutes ago.

As for iPads, you can’t do anything like this on an iPad unless it’s jailbroken. :(

[20yearsofinternet]

Never done it personally, but google seems to suggest it’s fairly simple. :)

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=android%20edit%20hosts%20file

[CreviceTool]

I am afraid to authenticate my log-in credentials when I encountr a perl script redirect. My smartphone does not need to see credentials to post on FR.

[Reeses]

nslookup on freerepublic.com currently shows that the domain does not exist. It’s been disappeared down the internet memory hole. Someone better buy it quick.

[20yearsofinternet]

Oops, spoke too soon. Looks like Android needs to be jailbroken/rooted to fix as well.

Damn these tech companies and their hiding of features from users!

[PAR35]

Thanks. Works like a charm. Spent a chunk of the day hunting down the ip address, and then fought with windows trying to fix hosts. Your easy step-by-step got be back on and logged in in less than a minute.

If I ever flame you, remind me that I said I’d give you one free pass.

We were slammed from Verizon to Frontier last week, so I spent the first part of the morning blaming the new ISP.

[PAR35]

It still exists as a valid domain name; the RNC chopped it off at the DNS level. That’s why you can get to it with an IP address.

[fireman15]

Despite being an administrator on my system the security settings would not aallow me save the changes from notepad into the correct folder. I had to save the changes to a separate folder and hen copy the file to the correct location after right clicking and opening Windows Explorer as an administrator.

[20yearsofinternet]

If I ever flame you, remind me that I said I’d give you one free pass.

---

LOL, no problem, and will do. :)

[Uncle Miltie]

Testing.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Had trouble with my smart phone today when it was connected to the At&T Uverse WiFi at home. I Googled my screen name and got in that way. So far so good, and no problems running mobile.

[Uncle Miltie]

Nasty business, that.

Thanks for the work-around. That fixes it.

[DiogenesLamp]

Mississippi governor signs law that allows businesses to refuse service to gay couples

Responses to posted threads seem way down.

I'll make this prediction. When we find out what caused this DNS issue, there will be some left winger at the bottom of it, most likely a homosexual.