How To Merge Config Files

[Oddysey]

Bold_Fortune;

Quote:1.) Are there any Services I absolutely need enabled?  (I run on bare minimum Services.)

Nope, no Services need to be harmed in the making of this configuration. Proxo is non-Service-cognizant.

Quote:2.) Are there any specific files or folders I need other than a HOSTS file?  (I delete bunches of them from my system?)

Only the Proxo installation itself needs to be intact. The HOSTS file does not need to be installed in order for Proxo to work correctly. Nor, for that matter, is it needed in order for your browser to work correctly. All other Windows requirements are non-impinging on Proxo - if your browser works correctly without Proxo, then it should work correctly after Proxo is installed, and everything is configured.

Quote:3.) Are there certain default settings I need to go back to using in Internet Properties?  (I run a really tight configuration.)

Shouldn't be. I presume you're speaking of security settings here, but even so, everything I've explained in the attached file should cover all possible browser settings that interact with Proxo. Everything else is, strictly speaking, in a different sand box.

That said, be aware that some security settings might case mixed results. For instance, you may allow java applets to run without additional confirmation from you the user. But Proxo might be configured (with filters) to block java applets from certain sites. This can be confusing at first, until you get a handle on what you're actually seeing. In other words, you have to figure out where to place the blame for something going wrong, and then start troubleshooting there. But you also have to remember that both the browser and Proxo are part and parcel of your surfing experience. Don't make the mistake of isolating one from the other when solving a problem.

Quote:4.) What did you have for lunch, anyway?  I had oatmeal.  (Oh God, tell he didn't, too.  Mustard stains would be bad enough, but clumps of oatmeal would be just too much to handle.)

PBJ's. Hurriedly. With the cat looking on. Licking his chops.


And don't hesitate to ask for help here. After all, I can pretty much guarantee that no one here was born knowing all this stuff - we each had to learn it, and we each had help along the way. When it's your turn, you'll know it.


Oddysey

EDITS: Hmmm, the Attach button mechanism doesn't seem to know how to deal iwth a text file. Anything with a .txt extension should be no problem, and yet I'm told that either the file is too long (9K, out of 1 meg allowed), or that it is in an unrecognized format. WTF? I think I'll post it in another message, in a moment. Gonna be a long one, though. Sigh.

[Jaded_Goth]

Oddysey Wrote:Jaded_Goth;

You can either attach a file (for downloading) with the "Attach" button just above the "Add Reply" button, or you can insert an image directly into your posting like this:

Code:

[#img#]http://www.somesite.tld/rest_of_url][#/img#]

Of course, you'll want to remove the hash marks from the beginning and ending tags. If I didn't put them in, the forum software would act on the link as if it were real, instead of showing it as an example. Alternatively, you can cheat, and use the IMG button, just above form textarea where you enter your message. (It's the second button from the left, in the lower row. A pop-up box appears, and you enter the desired URL. Pretty easy, no?)

Hopefully this gets you over the hurdle.

Oh!The rudeness!

I can't bear the implication that I am so incompetant I can't tell when the attachment button is not functioning!!

I've been treating you to all those lovely screenshots...

[Bold_Fortune]

Oh!The rudeness!

I can't bear the implication that I am so incompetant I can't tell when the attachment button is not functioning!!

[/quote]
Did I miss something?

[Jaded_Goth]

No,Bold_Fortune...just me and Oddysey engaging in some jovial banter.

Now even Oddysey is "encountering a hurdle".Ah,bless.

[Oddysey]

Bold_Fortune;

Quote:Did I miss something?

No, you didn't miss anything - I did. Read on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jaded_Goth;

Sigh.... I've stepped on it now, haven't I though. Yes, you've posted screen shots before, that's why I was a wee bit confused - how could you say that you couldn't attach a screen shot to your message, yet you had previously succeeded in doing so. I just went ahead, like a ninny, and gave you instruction as if you actually needed it. Just call me "Mr. Size11 Ondong." :P

Well, maybe I can salvage this.... lessee... yeah, I've got it. Check me out on this:

Well, just in case anyone else is reading this, and hasn't yet figured out the IMAGE business, here's a short go at it. (At this point, insert the rest of my diatribe from above.)

There, doesn't that seem better? No allusions to your abilities, right? Did I do OK, boss? Are my chestnuts still roasting, or have they been pulled back from the fire, at least for some breathing room? [unsure]

Give me a sign, please!


Oddysey

[Bold_Fortune]

Ah. Coding for images in a post. LOL. I remember I had the hardest time learning that when I first started going to tweaking sites. I haven't posted an image in so long, though, I'd probably have to re-learn it. I saved some stuff about doing it, so I could probably figure it out again fairly quickly.

Anyone here interested in seeing some of my nude baby pictures?

[Oddysey]

Bold_Fortune;

(And all other fortune hunters out there.) ((Sorry, I couldn't resist. ))

Since I too am having a problem making this forum software do what it should do, just like Jaded_Goth had his/her/it's problems earlier, I'm now putting the full text of my tutorial directly into this message. It's long, so keep scrolling. Who knows, it may be worth it. (Yeah, right. <_< )

~~~~~~~~~~~
Bold_Fortune;

As it happens, each of the other respondants has given you a piece of the puzzle; but without any explanations, that sometimes doesn't do the trick for you. I'll try to make things simple for you, and for anyone else who has to read this in the future.

To make any browser communicate with Proxo, here's what has to happen.

First we make sure Proxo is configured correctly. If you haven't already done so, open the main window, and press the Config button. Select the HTTP tab, and check out the contents thereon. One box should say "Proxmitron's proxy port number" - set that to 8080. (You can use other ports, but most documentation uses that default value. Avoid having to perform confusing conversions later - you'll thank me for this one tip alone.)

While you're here, set the local connections to persist for 5 seconds or so. Other threads on this forum deal with that setting, but this seems to be a safe "middle of the road" value. I recommend that you do not check the "Send only HTTP 1.0 requests", and for now, leave the "Use SSL..." box unchecked - we'll discuss that in a different topic/thread.

Working through the other tabs, you can set things to your personal preference, nothing else will determine how your browser deals with Proxo. (Although you might want to look at Startup, and turn on the System Tray icon, if you haven't already done so. I recommend it.)

Now, Proxo is truly ready for the world. Well, almost. In certain cases, you may be using an outside proxy server. What's that, you ask (the source of your original consternation). A proxy server is nothing more than an intermediary that sits between your computer and the server you wish to deal with. That proxy server can, and will, pass on your requests to the destination server, and when the response comes back, it will hold that response in it's own memory for awhile. That's the summary definition of a "cache". Eventually, it will release that response from the cache, but not immediately. This helps to speed up response times for everybody using that proxy server.

Additionally, a proxy server can, and often does, mask your identity as the requestor. The only ID passed to the target server is the proxy's own - your ID is effectively hidden from the server. This is the crux of anonymous surfing, and is the very backbone of the JakxPack filter set. Highly recommended if you want to stay as "unknown" as possible. Lot's of help abounds here on the forum regarding this particular filter set.

So, if you were using a proxy server, you need to tell Proxo to use it. That's the job of the "Use Remote Proxy" checkbox, and the Proxy button in the main interface window. The patched version of that main window is similar enough to get you to the correct settings. If you know that you use an external proxy, check the box, and click the button to enter your external proxy's network address. Otherwise, make sure the box is unchecked.

Now you're done with Proxo. Let's go to the browser.

Generically speaking, meaning that I refuse to look up the instructions for 10 different browsers, you need to find the "Connections" setting, and deal with it. You're using IE, which is the choice of over 90% of all web users (in spite of all the nay-sayers populating this forum), so I'll use IE's terms, but try to keep it as generic as I can.

Find your "Connections" configuration item. Make sure you are using the appropriate methodology - dial-up or LAN (LAN, of course, is for broadband users). Under either of those configuration subsets, you'll need to click on Settings. In non-IE browsers, look for something similar, but what you are looking for, specifically, is the Proxy settings dialog box. Regardless of where you find it, the first thing you should do is make sure the "Automatically detect settings" box is de-selected. Do not use any automatic configuration scripts, unless you're on a corporate network, and you abso-damn-lutely must do so.

So now you've selected the "Use a proxy server..." box - click on the Advanced button (in IE). This is where you enter 127.0.0.1 in the HTTP protocol box. (Disregard any instructions to use the word "localhost" - there is no hard and fast requirement that says localhost must be set to 127.0.0.1!) Somewhere in the vicinity (immediately to the right, in IE), enter the SAME port number you chose to use in the Proxomitron configuration. (Now you see why 8080 so often referred to - it's the default, and makes for a nice economy of typing.) Do NOT enter anything else for the other protocols. (Once again, the Secure box will be discussed in another topic/thread.)

Somewhere, you should be able to find an Exceptions list. If so, and you are using a broadband router/hub, enter the net address of that equipment in this list. The number here is almost universally 192.168.0.1, but there are some exceptions. You're on your own for this one, should your equipment use something different.

This next instruction is important - do NOT enter any external proxy server addresses in this box. I've seen that advice elsewhere on the web - it's bogus, and bad things happen to surfers who do this. (The request is passed on to the ultimate server in bypassed mode, just like it was sent to the proxy - where's the protection of Proxo?? Ditto for the response - no Proxo filtering!) The Exceptions list can indeed be used to bypass external sites - but why would you do so? (Although there was a very spirited discussion on this very thing several months ago. For now, just follow my advice. If nothing seems to work, then we can re-visit this particular topic in more depth.)

As an alternative to the above exceptions, or possibly in addition to it, you might also see a check box enabling you to "Bypass proxy server for local addresses". You can safely check that, if you wish. It will do the same job as above. (In some corporate networks, this might not be an option. In such cases, you'd have to leave it un-checked, or checked, as the NetAdmin decrees.)

At this point, you are home free - you should be able to surf with Proxo protecting your heinie! The easiest and fastest way to tell if your browser is configured correctly is to simply right click on the Proxo SysTray icon, and select "Exit". Since Proxo is no longer running, your browser should not be able to connect to the 'Net - no proxy server at 127.0.0.1:8080 (IP address and port number, separated by a colon). If you can still see websites, then one of two things is happening: either your browser is not yet correctly configured, or you are reading a web page from your browser's own cache. You can quickly eliminate the second possibility by simply surfing to a new site you've never been to before - try Oma and Opa's Grandbabies. (Then forget about it - this was only a test.) You didn't see it? Good, that means that you were drawing your other page from the browser's cache, not from the web - force a refresh from that website. (In IE, it's Control-F5.) Otherwise, you'll have to empty the cache manually before you can re-test. If you did see that miserable excuse for a website, then the browser is not yet set up correctly.

In troubleshooting, the first thing that I'd check is to make sure that you entered the same port number for both the HTTP protocol in your browser and in Proxo. This is probably the biggest "gotchya" of all. Same thing for 127.0.0.1 - sometimes the word "localhost" just isn't sufficient.

After that, make sure that "Automatically detect settings" is disabled. Ditto for any "Automatic" running of configuration scripts. If you are on a corporate network, then at this point, you'll have to ask the NetAdmin for help/advice. There's no telling how your computer "must" be set up to use the corporate network, and everything I've advised above may be null and void.

If none of this does the trick for you, then please report back to us pronto. Someone else will pick up the ball, as I will be out back breaking big rocks into little ones. Hard manuel labor will be all I'm good for, if I didn't get this tutorial right. (Or perhaps it'll be because the wife has found out I'm screwing the pooch here - one of the two!) Either way, let us know, eh?


Oddysey, Didactic Professor At Heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~
WARNING: This tutorial on setting up Browsers and Proxo contains no pictures. You must be able to read the English language in order to read and understand this file. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. (Sorry, the lawyers made me say that.)

[Bold_Fortune]

I'm going to save that and read it tonight. I've been having a problem sleeping lately, and the doctor says reading a good, long novel could help.

Seriously, it was very kind of you to go through so much trouble for me. (I'm not paying you for it, though.)

If it proves worth it to the site, maybe it could be pinned as a guide for the learning impaired, like me.

Thanks again, buddy.

(Just hope he doesn't ask me for any favors later because he feels I owe him.)

[Jaded_Goth]

Oddysey Wrote:There, doesn't that seem better? No allusions to your abilities, right? Did I do OK, boss? Are my chestnuts still roasting, or have they been pulled back from the fire, at least for some breathing room? [unsure]

Give me a sign, please!

Your chestnuts are fine,Dear.

I agree,your splendiferous synopsis should be pinned.

I could be really naughty and declare I am a bloke..but,nah.I'm a woman.That's why I like Thunderbird-it's so p-wetty.

[Bold_Fortune]

Sorry, no go, Oddysey. As carefully as I followed your instructions, as before, I can't connect to the Internet after. Even when I undo everything, I still can't. So I have to revert to my backup image to get my connection working again.

I'm getting this error message:

"Verifying username and password...

Error 691: Access was denied because the username and/or
password was invalid on the domain."

[Bold_Fortune]

Well, I tried that same configuration with a "Fresh Install" backup image that I have that I have made no changes to any of XP's defaults and have made no other changes to. Same problem.

So at least I know it's not happening because of the way I have my system setup.

The good news is I got a gold star next to my name on the list in the nurses station for doing such a great job at coloring the clown.

I'm thinking it has something to do with SBC Yahoo Dial! that I use. Does anyone else here use that? Maybe some other setting must be made to the configuration for SBC Yahoo Dial! users. That's all I can think of anyway.

[Oddysey]

Bold_Fortune;

Ya know, if Jaded_Goth (she of the colors I can't imagine) weren't so enamored of you, I'd let off a little steam at you. But, as usual, the fault's mine. I should have asked you to post the exact error message. Aaarrrggghhh.

Yes, you're having a problem that has nothing to do with Proxo, nor with your browser. It's SBC's authentication procedure that's driving you nuts. Remember when I said that my epistle may be null and void if you're on a corporate network? Guess what, boobykins? Bingo! What you are experiencing is exactly that - a corporate network, with you as a remote client.

You'll have to see, and record, exactly what it is that SBC wants you to do in order to log in successfully. Then, please post that info to this thread, and we'll see what we can do to make everything play nice together. Specifically, I'm looking for a browser configuration item to be different from what we've said so far. My guess is that, since you don't mention that you must run a script, then your "Automatically detect settings" and "Use automatic configuration script" checkboxes are both unchecked. That would most likely mean that a different port is being used for confirmation of your username and/or password.

Also, it could well be that you're being logged in on a secure connection, even if the rest of your browsing session is just a regular connection. That means that Port 443 is probably in use, as well as Port 80. Do you by chance have ZoneAlarm or a similar proggie installed? Can you tell if some surreptitious proggie is "phoning home" while you're logging in?

And you know, in today's paranoid atmosphere, I'd like to take this moment to remind you that you may be.... owned! Yes, it could be that you are being logged into a site by some mal-ware that disallows a connection for anything, if it can't get a connection for itself.

Just a thought. Believe me, it wasn't meant as a revenge for you're not telling us you have a log-in problem. Really. I wouldn't kid you about a thing like that, would I? [wacko]

Your findings, please.

BTW, when do they graduate you to typing in gibberish on a typewriter? You too can be a monkey, just waiting to be discovered as the next Shakespeare!


Oddysey

WARNING! No money was harmed in the making of this message. The intended recipient has waived all rights to any consideration in the future, in return for happiness today. The future is not guaranteed to remain happy, however. Please adjust your standards accordingly.

<span style='color:red'>EDIT:</span> Just had another thought, not quite so nasty. Since you're not logging into a domain successfully, then there's a good chance that you are using either PPTP, or a VPN connection. I'm now thinking that you'll have to install and use the SSL stuff for Proxo. Yet another layer of hoops to jump through, but it's worth a try.

Check out this topic for more info on getting and installing the appropriate files. If the instuctions don't make any sense to you, then you should post any questions to that effect in that forum.

Oh, and maybe I should take back my low-blow remark about being owned...... Nah, it was worth it just to see you pucker up like that! That was amazing, man.


The Odd One

[Oddysey]

Jaded_Goth;

So, you're more like Cassandra Peterson than I first imagined. But she doesn't speak with an accent, so you are indeed unique.

Not to mention, you're also this forum's first British lady. A coup in itself, I'm certain. Can the cover of Time magazine be far off? Kye-U, you'd better get ready for your closeup! [lol]


Oddysey

[Siamesecat]

Quote:under the HTTP entry only, enter "localhost" for host and "8080" for port. Be sure you don't have autoconfig enabled - it will undo these changes! "

Good so far. But right here is were it gets vague for me...

When you put localhost into the HTTP box and 8080 into the port box, did you replace something by doing that, or were those boxes blank to start with?

I didn't say that you absolutely needed a Hosts file, but if you don't have one, put 127.0.0.1 into the proxy address box. In fact, use that anyway. It won't hurt anything.

[Bold_Fortune]

Siamesecat, thanks, but I'm going to pass on Proxomitron. Just too much of hassle figuring this out. I wasn't interested in any additional security it could offer to my browsing. I'm okay in that department. Don't need an ad or popup blocker. I'm okay there, too.

I really wanted to see if it could pickup my browsing speed a bit as advertised.
But let's face it, with Dial-up, how much additional speed can you get?

...Certainly not enough to justify this hassle. And certainly not enough to justify having to read Oddysey's lengthy insults. Hey, I'm smart. I use Velcro instead of shoe laces because I WANT to...in spite of what they say.