1. Always check what you've typed for errors. The most common errors are caused by typos. And don't forget the sub clause to this rule: always check that the case of the letters in a URL is correct. Unix knows the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters, and it doesn't translate between the two.
2. Try again. Temporary delays and errors go with the territory. Sometimes just hitting the Reload button is all it takes. Other times waiting an hour and hitting the Reload button does the trick.
What does it mean?
There's something wrong with the URL you typed. Maybe the server you're contacting doesn't recognize the document you're asking for, maybe it doesn't exist, or maybe you're not authorized to access it.
What can you do about it?
Check the URL. Pay special attention to uppercase and lowercase letters, colons, and slashes. Here's a tip: one style convention many sites observe is to slap initial capital letters on directory names but not filenames. If you get this message repeatedly, maybe the note you copied the URL from mixed up its uppercase and lowercase.
What does it mean?
You're probably accessing a site that's protected and you're not on the host's preferred guest list or you typed the password incorrectly. Some sites also put a block on domain types--if you're not from a .gov or .edu domain, for example, you may not be able to gain access.
What can you do about it?
If you're sure you're allowed in, try again, and this time look at the keyboard when you type. Passwords are often case-sensitive, so if you've got your Caps Lock on, take it off. If you're trying to break in, we don't want to know, but the odds are stacked against you.
What does it mean?
You may not be allowed to access this document, probably because it's either blocked to your domain or it's password-protected.
What can you do about it?
If you know the password, try again, carefully. If you don't know the password but think you're eligible for one, contact the site's Webmaster and ask for it.
What does it mean?
The server that hosts the site can't find the HTML document at the end of the URL. It may be a simple case of a mistyped URL, but it may also mean that the document doesn't exist anymore.
What can you do about it?
Try going one level up (deleting the last part of the URL to the nearest slash) to see if the site is live. If it is, check if there are links to the document you're looking for. Failing that, delete the last slash and type .html instead, and see what that gives you.
What does it mean?
There are a variety of possibilities: your access provider's server may be down, your company's gateway (the connection between the LAN and the Internet) may be broken, or your own system isn't working.
What can you do about it?
This is usually an easy one: wait a minute and try again. If the error persists, identify the culprit (access provider, gateway, or your system) by process of elimination.
What does it mean?
Your browser supports forms complete with data-entry fields and drop-down lists, but not the form you're trying to access. Perhaps there's an error or unsupported feature in the form.
What can you do about it?
Send email to the Webmaster and try the form again some other day.
Cannot add form submission result to bookmark list
What does it mean?
You've just entered a search request and tried to save the result as a bookmark. Though it may appear as a discrete address, the result isn't a legitimate URL, so you can't add it to your bookmark list.
What can you do about it?
Try saving the result page as an HTML page on your hard disk. Use the Save As command then add the saved page to your bookmark list. Depending on the CGI script behind the query, you may or may not be successful. But it's worth a try.
What does it mean?
You may not be allowed to access this document, probably because it's either blocked to your domain or it's password-protected.
What can you do about it?
If you know the password, try again, carefully. If you don't know the password but think you're eligible for one, contact the site's Webmaster and ask for it.
What does it mean?
The domain name system can't translate the URL to a valid Internet address. This is either a harmless blip or the result of a mistyped URL (specifically, a mistyped host name).
What can you do about it?
Blips in DNS lookup are common, and often you can rectify this by clicking the Reload button. If that doesn't work, check your typing of the URL carefully. If the problem persists, try again after an hour or so.
What does it mean?
The site you've accessed is the right one, but there are no Web page documents on it. You may have stumbled upon this site just as updated versions are being uploaded.
What can you do about it?
Try the URL again, carefully. If that doesn't help, try again in an hour.
What does it mean?
The machine that hosts this site is probably down for maintenance.
What can you do about it?
If at first you don't succeed, hit Refresh or Reload again and again. But wait a while between refreshes.
Copyright 2004 United States Coast Guard Lightship Sailors by MGM IMAGING . All rights reserved.
Copyrights also protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 Revised: 11/01/07.