Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Some sites display as text unless I use HTTPS instead of HTTP

  • 10 replies
  • 11 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by HyCry

more options

I have a problem on SOME sites where the entire site displays as text with no formatting and no images.

This happens when I navigate there normally, via a link or bookmark or by typing the URL by hand --AND-- the URL uses HTTP (http://site.com) or the URL doesn't contain the prefix (site.com). However, if I use HTTPS in a shortcut or link or when typing by hand, then the site displays just as it should. The sites in question do not, normally, use HTTPS if you just navigate normally – not entering HTTPS.

If I navigate to that site with HTTP, I can continue to click on links on the pages that are displayed in text and the pages that follow continue to be displayed in text. If I start out with HTTPS, then the site is normal and all the links display normal pages.

I did all of the normal troubleshooting steps all the way up to booting in safe mode and creating a new profile. Having done that, I believe that I have removed Firefox's config and even Firefox from the equation. This leads me to believe there is some configuration issue on my PC. However, I cannot think of any Windows config settings that could do something like this.

I'm using Firefox v23 and Windows 7 64-bit.

Can anyone suggest anything else to try?

BTW: Here are some sites... http://www.cpotools.com/ http://www.cpofein.com/

I have a problem on SOME sites where the entire site displays as text with no formatting and no images. This happens when I navigate there normally, via a link or bookmark or by typing the URL by hand --AND-- the URL uses HTTP (http://site.com) or the URL doesn't contain the prefix (site.com). However, if I use HTTPS in a shortcut or link or when typing by hand, then the site displays just as it should. The sites in question do not, normally, use HTTPS if you just navigate normally – not entering HTTPS. If I navigate to that site with HTTP, I can continue to click on links on the pages that are displayed in text and the pages that follow continue to be displayed in text. If I start out with HTTPS, then the site is normal and all the links display normal pages. I did all of the normal troubleshooting steps all the way up to booting in safe mode and creating a new profile. Having done that, I believe that I have removed Firefox's config and even Firefox from the equation. This leads me to believe there is some configuration issue on my PC. However, I cannot think of any Windows config settings that could do something like this. I'm using Firefox v23 and Windows 7 64-bit. Can anyone suggest anything else to try? BTW: Here are some sites... http://www.cpotools.com/ http://www.cpofein.com/

All Replies (10)

more options

Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?

A possible cause is security software (firewall,anti-virus) that blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.

Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full unrestricted access to internet for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.

See:

more options

I use straight-up Microsoft -- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and Microsoft Security Essentials. I turned-off the firewall and stopped "real-time" protection but it still acts the same way. I disabled the firewall in my DSL modem as well and no luck. I'm stumped.

more options

What does the net log show for retrieving the CSS files (reload the page via F5)?

more options

I have the output in a text file but it's 55k characters. How can I post it?

more options

Thanks cor-el... I hadn't ever had an opportunity to use PasteBIN before...

Here's the web console output: WebConsole output

more options

hello, see line 25:

...default.css was not loaded because its MIME type, "text/html", is not "text/css"

the webserver is not configured correctly, so it sends the wrong file-format for stylesheets. this is an error that can only be corrected by the websites itself - please try contacting them about that issue...

more options

Chosen Solution

more options

Yes! That's it! I use "HostsMan" and HostServer ((Website) to "block" ad sites. HostsMan uses automatically-downloaded lists of ad sites to create HOSTS file entries with IP addresses of the localhost (127.0.0.1 ad.adsite.com). HostServer then intercepts 400 Errors and displays a friendly message: "Blocked: ad.adsite.com"... One of the lists that I use has "demandware.edgesuite.net" in it and when that is blocked, I have this problem. I couldn't tell this was happening because the "blocked" message is only displayed if the URL in the address bar is blocked and not when a blocked site is used to provide stylesheets.

When I disabled Windows Firewall and MSE, it never occurred to me that HostsMan was blocking as well and I never expected a useful site being included in ad lists.

Cor-el, thank you for taking the time to help me out!!! I'm sorry that I didn't think to disable HostsMan when troubleshooting and before posting. I'm glad that it didn't take you long to figure it out.

Thanks again!

Blocked: demandware.edgesuite.net

more options

Hi! I Have a problem With mozilla, if i try to access with this site <possible spam link removed - c> or other sites he gave me troubleshoot errors

Modified by cor-el