Problems With Links

Having problems clicking on BradsDeals links? Something has likely blocked access to servers that retailers use. The first thing to try is reconfiguring or disabling any ad blocker, popup blocker or security software. If that doesn't work, try one of the following three solutions:

1. Hosts File

Software on your computer (usually something you have downloaded, perhaps accidentally) may have blocked access to servers that retailers use by adding lines to your "hosts" file. Do the following to return your hosts file to its proper state:

Open 'My Computer' or 'Windows Explorer' then navigate to the following directory and filename:

• Windows 95/98/ME: c:\windows\hosts
• Windows XP Home/Pro: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
• Windows NT or 2000: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

Highlight the file, hit F2 to change its name from Hosts to Hosts.bak, restart the computer, then try the links again.

Alternately you can open the Hosts file with a text editor like Notepad and remove a couple entries. You can open the Hosts file by right-clicking on hosts and selecting "Open with". Then select Notepad.

Ensure that none of the following lines are present in the file by removing the entire line or putting a # in front of the line:

• bfast.com
• cc-dt.com
• click.linksynergy.com
• clickserve.cc-dt.com
• linksynergy.com
• qksrv.net
• service.bfast.com
• www.anrdoezrs.net
• www.commission-junction.com
• www.qksrv.net

A proper, uncorrupted hosts file contains this:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

2. Ad Blocker & Security Software

Norton Internet Security 2004 - This program causes some links to disappear. Uncheck Block Popups from the Web assistant toolbar menu Norton Internet Security Adds to Internet Explorer, then reboot to make it take effect.

Norton Internet Security 2005, 2006, 2007 - This program can cause some Links to disappear IF you enabled Ad Blocking in Norton Antispam's options. If you enable it, Uncheck Block Ads on this Site from the Web assistant toolbar menu Norton Internet Security Adds to Internet Explorer.

3. Spyware

Test your computer for spyware. Ad-Aware is one of the best and is free.

4. Firefox

Switch to Firefox. It has great popup blocking tools and may get links to work that don't otherwise. I use it and it is much better than Microsoft Internet Explorer.