[RESOLVED] Links to Google sites in Virtual Dr posts don't work

In just the last day or two, I cannot access the Google sites from links offered in VDr posts. I usually get a generic Google Search window ( https://www.google.com/ ).

Examples are:
1) http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=...w=1112&bih=779
which was posted in post #2 in
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...a-home-and-ie9

and
2) http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sa=X&ei...iw=680&bih=361
which was posted in post #3 in
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...NET-EXPLORER-8

I have no problems accessing the other links in VDr posts.

I just tried your examples and they went to the correct place.

dneilson--Yes. You told me that before.
Did you use the links in my post above? Or those from your original post?

Any idea why I am having this problem which is specific to Google links? Note I am directed to an https://www.google.com/ site whereas your link is to http:// .

Jim - where do you get directed to?

The links in this thread and the threads you referenced work for me..

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...pw.r_qf.&cad=b

I go to an httpS:// when I click on them.

As I said in Post #2-----"I just tried your examples".

Steve R Jones---Thanks for the reply.
Where did you get that link you just posted.? It Works fine!!
Note it is for httpS:// whereas the links in my original post in this thread (and in the referenced posts) are for http:// .

And your link is slightly different (starting with the last 25% or so) than the ones I have been clicking in the VDr posts. But that does not seem pertinent. See below.



P.S. When I use the links I posted in post #1 I go to https://www.google.com/ .

But if I change those links to https:// , they also work fine.
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...w=1112&bih=779

Any explanation for all this?

When I click your "Examples 1)" link the only real difference I end up with is the "&fp=dc835c07362cbb1a" gets changed to "&fp=1" and a "&cad=b" gets added to the end.

Your Google URL of:

Code:

---

http://www.google.com/#hl=en
&sugexp=les%3B
&gs_nf=1
&gs_mss=cannot%20add%20favorites%20IE
&cp=24
&gs_id=2l
&xhr=t
&q=cannot%20add%20favorites%20IE9
&pf=p
&sclient=psy-ab
&oq=cannot+add+favorites+IE9
&gs_l=
&pbx=1
&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.
&fp=dc835c07362cbb1a
&biw=1112
&bih=779

---

Takes me to this Google URL:

Code:

---

http://www.google.com/#hl=en
&sugexp=les%3B
&gs_nf=1
&gs_mss=cannot%20add%20favorites%20IE
&cp=24
&gs_id=2l
&xhr=t
&q=cannot%20add%20favorites%20IE9
&pf=p
&sclient=psy-ab
&oq=cannot+add+favorites+IE9
&gs_l=
&pbx=1
&fp=1
&biw=1112
&bih=779
&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.
&cad=b

---

As for the "why?" is really a question for Google but, it probably has something to do with tracking/advertising, and/or caching.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Welshjim

Steve R Jones---Thanks for the reply.
Where did you get that link you just posted.?

---

The link came from the address line in my browser after clicking your links.

SpywareDr--Thanks for your analysis.
Please reread this thread. The Google URL's in post#1 are for http:// . When clicking them Steve R Jones was apparently automatically redirected to httpS:// to the desired page, but as you see the URL is also slightly changed. I also am redirected to httpS:// but to https://www.google.com/ which is not the desired page. If I manually change the URL's as given in the VDr posts to httpS:// and then paste that into the Address line, they go to the desired page.
So there is something different about how those URL's work on my PC compared to how they work on Steve R Jones and dneilsen' s PCs. Can you offer any further comment?
Thanks.

All the s at the end of http indicates is a Secure link/site that is very good thing and does not indicate a problem/issue.

wonderinguy34--Always nice to be secure, but a heck of a nuisance to have to manually change the http in the links to https and enter in the Address line rather than just clicking on the link.

Using Firefox the links work. Using IEX9 they give me Google home page.

No explanation.. just an observation.

fink--Thanks for tip on Firefox. Using IE you are getting what I get.
Strange that IE translates http to httpS for some people and not for others (like you and me).
Firefox does not seem to use http or httpS.

Here at home this morning: four different devices, five different browsers, three different networks, and ALL combinations I try end up on "http" (with no trailing "s").

Devices

DigitalStorm desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Systemax desktop running Windows XP Professional 32-bit
Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1" running Android 3.2
BlackBerry Bold 9900 running BBOS 7.1.0 Bundle 998

Browers

IE, Firefox, Chrome, Android, BlackBerry

Networks

AT&T
COMCAST
T-Mobile 4G

--

Note: Firefox does use the http:, it's just hidden. If you copy it and paste it into Notepad you'll see it.

FWIW--
1) I pasted
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=...w=1112&bih=779
into the https://google.com search window, pressed Enter, and was told

" "r_gc" (and any subsequent words) was ignored because we limit queries to 32 words. "

2) I entered http://www.google.com into the IE Address line, pressed Enter, and wound up at httpS://www.google.com. So my PC is automatically redirecting http://www.google.com to httpS://www.google.com .

1) Does the same thing happen when you go to http://173.194.37.80

2) What happens if you change your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4?

3) Are you using the default Windows HOSTS file?

4) Are you using a proxy server?

5) Are you behind a company firewall?

6) Does the same thing happen in all browsers?

7) What happens if you Reset IE?

8) Does the same thing happen in Safe Mode with Networking?

SpywareDr--
1) I go to http://173.194.37.80/ , not httpS, a generic Google search page.
2) Educate me. How do I do that? Downsides to going back?
3) I am not sure how to answer that. I normally surf using the MVPS HOSTS file, but I toggle that off when viewing VDr, so then I am using the Windows HOSTS file (nothing blocked). In any event the result is the same either way.
4) No
5) I use Windows Firewall.
6) I see the VDr Google links OK in Firefox. No redirection.
7) I have not tried that, but no difference if I use IE with no add-ons. If I use Reset, is there an easy to go back to the way I have IE set up, like System Restore?
8) Same result using the links in my Post #1. I go to httpS://www.google.com. Generic Search window.

So that leaves only 2 and 7 as possible fixes.

SpywareDr--Change Answer 2 above to
Educate me. How do I do that? Any problems to reverting to present settings? From ipconfig/all the settings now seem 75.75.75.75 and 76.76.76.76

Change TCP/IP settings

Under Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Use the following DNS server addresses ... 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

--

Are you signed into Google?

Google > Inside Search > SSL Search

Quote:

---

With Google search over SSL, you can have an end-to-end encrypted search solution between your computer and Google. This secured channel helps protect your search results and, in most cases, your search terms (exceptions outlined below) from being intercepted by a third party. This provides you with a more secure and private search experience.

As we make SSL available, SSL search will be the default when you are signed in.

When SSL search is in use, the URL will contain https (note the extra "s") followed by the Google domain, e.g. https://www.google.com, and your browser may also provide a visual indication that you are using SSL, such as a lock icon in the URL bar.

You can also navigate directly to https://www.google.com or to https://encrypted.google.com if you are signed out or if you don’t have a Google Account.
...

---

SpywareDr--Thanks.
Those "Change TCP/IP settings" instructions are for Vista, but I found the ones for Win 7 Ultimate. I changed the DNS Server settings to 8.8.8.8 (Preferred) and 8.8.4.4 (Alternate) on same screen , and tried the links in Post #1. No change. I still wind up at httpS://www.google.com .

Re: Google. No, I am usually not signed into Google (Gmail) when I access VDr, although I do have a GMail account. That suggestion could be the problem, but I how do I change that? I already have Google Settings|Browser Connection set at "Don't always use HTTPS". But as mentioned I am not signed into Google when using the links in Post #1.

Try this:

1. In IE, log in to your Google/Gmail account
   
   
2. Remove Your Google Search History
   https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/0...y-takes-effect
   
   
3. In IE, click Tools > Internet Options > General tab > select "Delete browsing history on exit" > Apply > OK.
   
   
4. Log out of Google/Gmail.
   
   
5. Close IE.
   
   
6. Reopen IE and try your http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=...w=1112&bih=779 link again.

SpywareDr--I thought I did what you suggested in your latest post. No change.
Then I reread your post and saw that I had not signed out of Google. (Even though you also mentioned that in an earlier post.) I had only closed Google.
And the links now seem to work!! Really weird!

Many thanks!!!

FWIW, however, the problem seems to occur only with Google links within VDr.

You're more than welcome. Glad I was able to help. :)