posted on March 24, 2001 04:09:36 PM
When I first joined up at half.com, the site worked fine. No trouble logging in, they had a "remember my name and password" function, etc.
About a week later they upgraded the security of the site and that's when the problems began. I would log-in, then try to go to my Account page but instead be booted right back to the Log-in page. Sometimes I could find a back door to the Account page (oddly enough by clicking on the "My Account" link at the bottom of the page rather than at the top). Once at my Account page I would discover that despite getting the impression that my log-in failed (because I got sent back to the log-in page again), sure enough I was logged in because right there on the account page would be "Hello spazmodeus," etc. It was hell trying to order because I used to have to figure out other "backdoors" to get me to the appropriate pages all the way thru checkout. Sometimes I failed altogether.
I gave up on the site for awhile, but a couple weeks ago there was a book I really wanted, so I braced myself for the hassle and went there to order. But to my surprise and delight, the site worked perfectly. I logged in, and got a message saying, "Your Log-in was successful, click here to continue." And I did continue. I placed a large order, in fact, more than I originally planned to spend.
That was less than two weeks ago. If not for the fact that I have e-mails confirming my big order, I would believe I must have dreamed how easy the site was to use. Because I went back there yesterday and tried to buy again, expecting the same ease -- only to discover that once again, I can no longer get past the log-in page. No matter what I try to get to, my Account page, my Wish List page, etc., I keep getting booted back to the Log-in form despite Logging-In, and this time, even despite getting the "Your Log-in was successful, click here to keep using the site" screen. I run into trouble when I click on the link to keep using the site. Sends me right back to the Log-In. Do not pass Go, do not order any books for resale.
Anybody else having the same problem, or have ideas how I might get around it? I know the culprit has to be half.com, not my computer. I've used the same settings, etc. since I started. Like I said, two weeks ago it worked perfectly. Now it doesn't.
Must be on account of their "upgrading site security." Perfect way to make site secure -- prevent people from using it.
posted on March 24, 2001 04:27:13 PM
I had the same problem. It seemed to solve the problem when I went into Internet Options, under Security and added half.com as a "Trusted Site".
How exactly does one do that? I have Windows 95 and when I check my internet preferences under "Security" I don't see anywhere that I might enter half.com -- or any site -- as a "trusted site."
By the way, what prompted you to try that as a solution?
I know some other people were experiencing log-in problems back in February too. There was a thread here about it.
Seems idiotic to me that potential customers should have to jump through hoops like this simply to view their account page or place an order.
posted on March 24, 2001 05:03:42 PM
My problems with them only started a few weeks ago. I sell and buy there and spend lots of time on that site. I log in then I research some books and when I go to check my account or buy something I have to log in again. It's a pain in the neck. Last week I couldn't get into the site at all. The feedback I leave for people doesn't show up in many cases either. Maybe they're making some changes which are messing up their system.
posted on March 24, 2001 05:12:26 PM
I have Windows 98 so not sure if it is the same or not, but when you are in "Internet Options", then the "Security" tab, there should be icons for "Internet", "Local Intranet" "Trusted Sites" and "Restricted Sites" If you click on the "Trusted Sites" icon, you'll see the icon change directly below and a button for "Sites" comes up. From there you can add and recome web sites from this zone.
I must admit, I didn't come up with the solution myself. No matter what I did, I just could not log into Half.com (the page for signing up as a new user kept coming up, with a warning about all the fields not being complete). Anyhow, as I have been apt to do lately with the hubby now back in school getting his degree in Network Administration (and tinkering with ALL kinds of settings), I simply b****d at him, and he came in and did it! Now, no problem.
posted on March 24, 2001 05:27:22 PMathena ~ Thank you so much for your advice. I tried it and my sign-in problems have stopped. I'm constantly amazed at how little I know about computers!
posted on March 24, 2001 05:51:46 PM
Glad to hear you were able to fix your difficulties, nowwhat. Unfortunately, I'm still left out in the cold, having neither Windows98 nor a husband I can b*** at.
posted on March 24, 2001 06:13:03 PM
I have Windows 95. I can't explain how I fixed it because I just kept trying different things and really don't know what I did, but it is there somewhere. Keep looking!
posted on March 24, 2001 06:29:26 PM
Well, what exactly did you do, nowwhat? You must have done something to your system, since you said you took athena's advice.
posted on March 24, 2001 06:56:28 PM
Okay I went back and figured out what I did. You click tools then internet options then security then click on the green thingy and add half.com. Athena's info is actually pretty much the same so I'm not really saying anything new. But I do have Windows 95 and it did work for me and should work for you also.
posted on March 24, 2001 08:20:22 PM
Blanche, you out there?
Where do I find the tools thing nowwhat is talking about? I've been all over Windows95 and can't find it. Did a "Find" search for "internet options," but there's nothing there for "Security," just an icon for "Get on the Internet" and "Internet Explorer," neither of which seem to help.
Go to the menu up top (assuming you are looking at an AOL screen)...go to "My AOL"...then "Preferences"...then "WWW"..then click the security tab. This will allow you to set up the "Trusted sites" feature.
posted on March 25, 2001 06:17:24 AM
Thanks for the assistance, you guys, but I'm guess I'm SOL. My version of AOL/browser doesn't have the "Trusted Sites" feature.
I still think it's bull**** that users have to take extreme measures to access the site because the damn technicians there are idiots. Nobody should have to go into their browser and make special settings just so they can log on. It's particularly infuriating because as I said, using the site was a breeze just two weeks ago.
posted on March 25, 2001 06:37:26 AM
I totally agree! The only thing I can think of is that the recent Bibliofind hacking made them nervous so they decided to beef up security on the site.
Try the Internet Options in your computer settings. Right click on the Start buttom, find Settings, then Control Panel, and then you'll see Internet Options. Sorry, I don't know anything about AOL so not sure how that affects your computer settings, so this may or may not work.
It does seem a bit extreme to have to do this. I wonder how many buyers have been put off by this? Anyone selling on half.com notice a difference?
posted on March 25, 2001 01:50:41 PM
Try as I might, I cannot find anything on my internet properties "Security" screen that would let me enter half.com as a trusted site. This is driving me up a wall.
I think I have pinned down the problem though -- just don't know how to fix it other than possibly upgrading my system, which for various reasons I don't want to do.
The problem is, I need to connect to their "secure" web site, all branches of which are associated with this site:
https://a248.e.akamai.net
I noticed that I was getting broken image x's for many gifs on the log-in page. When I checked the urls for those gifs, they all come off the main url above. I tried to access the gifs individually, but each time I get "Internet Explorer cannot connect to the server."
So for some reason my browser can't connect to the main server for the web site now (even though it was doing just fine about 12 days ago). If I could connect to that web site, I'm sure my problems would end (well, at least in regard to half.com).
posted on March 25, 2001 02:29:55 PM
It is not right that a major website like half.com should cause potential buyers to jump through hoops in order to do business.
I suspect that when ebay bought them, they transferred their less skilled programmers to wreak havoc on that site, as they have done for years on ebay.
Just look at the recent relisting fee refund fiasco, or the recent slowdowns, or.....oh, never mind!
posted on March 25, 2001 02:38:43 PM
spaz, I had an encryption problem a couple months ago that upgrading my cipher strength fixed, and then I could log onto sites that had upgraded their security. In Explorer, go to help, click about internet explorer, look at cipher strength that comes up. If it's less than 128 bit, you can upgrade it by clicking on the upgrade link right there.
Hope that helps.
posted on March 25, 2001 04:20:23 PM
This is most curious, snowy. I followed your instructions, but when I pull down "about internet explorer," it says nothing about cipher strength and there is no link whatsoever.
Now, no problem.