Red X Solution page (red x instead of pictures)

Our best download in a while: The new Firefox web browser with the excellent Google Toolbar built in:

One of the most vexing computing problems I have encountered is the dreaded red x. Perhaps you are here because you have the dreaded disease. Below, I will offer a very unique solution (that has worked for us when everything else has failed)

You have the red x problem if you've noticed that on websites that used to display pictures, there is now a blank place with a red x in the middle. Much like this:

Often times this problem will get progressively worse, so that it begins to interfere with your web surfing. Microsoft has a knowledge base article on it, but I've never found it to be particularly useful. First, I'll give you our unique solution, then some links to try with other possible solutions and discussions of the problem.

Often, the red x issue comes about because a security application (like Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware or Spy Sweeper) is blocking access to something that doesn't need to be blocked. Here's a way to fix the red x problem: Delete every entry in your hosts file. If this works for you, please contact us using the link above.

Step 1: Find your hosts file. It's typically in c:\windows\system32, but may be in a folder inside the system 32 folder. If you can't easily find it, you need to enable the viewing of hidden files (in an open windows folder click tools then folder options then view then put a check by show hidden files and folders.) If you still can't find it, click on start, then search then *hosts*.* and look for a file that is called hosts, and has no extension. The particular file you are looking for should be larger than one kb, in case there are several files named "hosts"

Step 2: Edit your hosts file. Double click on the file, and an option box will pop up to allow you to pick the program to open the file with. Pick windows notepad. When you open the file, you should see several entries that begin with a 127 web address. Click edit, then select all and then click file and delete. You should now have a blank text file. Click save and exit.

Step 3: (may not be necessary) Clean out your temporary internet files.  First, close any Internet Explorer or Firefox window that's open. Then, right click on your internet explorer icon, then select properties. Select delete cookies, then select delete all files (while checking the option box that comes up) Restart internet explorer, and it's very possible that your red x problem is fixed.

Still no relief? Try these links:

Microsoft Knowledge Base article on red x problem

Red x problem could be a java issue (from java.com)

Very long discussion on Cnet of the red x issue, with some solutions.

(more links to be added)

Disclaimer: deleting your hosts file might have unforeseen security consequences (because it can block the visiting of questionable sites), and/or isn't always recommended when your computer is on a network at your office. Typically it's safe.  
 

Our best download in a while: The new Firefox web browser with the excellent Google Toolbar built in:

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