When the internet can't fulfill a request that you've made through your browser or email software, it’s usually pretty good at giving feedback. The problem is, the feedback’s often in some strange code.

So, to help you make sense of it all, here’s a ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide’ to some of the more common error messages.

Error 404: Page not found
This is a very common error message – and it simply means that the site or page you’re trying to visit doesn't exist. This may be because:

• 1. The web address has been typed incorrectly (that may not be your fault).
• 2. The web page may have moved to a different place on the website.
• 3. The web page no longer exists.
  

You may be able to get around the error by:

• 1. Checking the web address and entering it again.
• 2. Going to the site’s home page and then navigate from there to the area you want. If you can't find the home page, try using a search engine like Bing (www.bing.com) or Google (google.com.au) to find what you’re looking for.
• 3. We even have the Google search facility built into our web pages. Just go to the base of this page.

501 Internal Server Error
The site or page you are trying to visit is currently experiencing problems. Usually, just trying again later will resolve the problem.

Error 630: Modem not found or Error 797
There is a problem with your modem.
Check that your modem connections are all correct then, if necessary, re-install your modem drivers.

Error 691: Authentication failure or Error 734
Your connection to BigPond failed because either your username or password was incorrect.

To fix the problem:

• 1. Check that you don’t have the Caps Lock key pressed.
• 2. Re-enter your login details (remember that both your username and password are case sensitive).

No dial tone detected
Your dial-up modem can’t detect a dial tone on your phone line, so it can’t connect to the Internet. There are several things you should check:

• 1. Make sure your modem is properly connected to the phone socket (at the computer end as well).
  
  
• 2. If you have stored MessageBank (or similar) messages, they may be causing a stutter tone that the modem can’t recognize. Clearing your messages should fix this.
  
  
• 3. Connect a phone to the same socket and make sure you can hear a dial tone. If not, there’s a problem with your phone service.

Error 501: Unable to send message. Some of the recipients were rejected. Please review the messages in the Outbox.
Usually, this means an email in your outbox has an invalid address.
Check the emails in your outbox to see if any address has an obvious formatting error.

Error 0x800CCC91 / 0x800CCC92 or Error logging onto Server / Username / Password was rejected
Your username and/or password have been entered incorrectly. Carefully re-enter your login details, remembering that your username and password are both case sensitive.

Bad file request
This usually means your web browser can’t display the online form you want. (There may be a technical error in the form).
The problem needs to be fixed by the website’s owner. You may like to contact them about the issue, and will probably need to provide technical information like your browser’s type and version.

Connection refused by host
You’ll see this message if you try to access a page without permission, or if your access password is incorrect.
If you do have a login and should have access try to re-enter your login details.

Failed DNS lookup
The DNS (or Domain Name System) looks up the URL of a website and associates it with the appropriate IP address (the numerical location code). With the IP address, your request can be sent to the right web server. So a DNS lookup fails if this host server can't be located.
You may find that simply clicking Reload or Refresh on your browser will fix the problem. You may also have entered the URL incorrectly, so that’s worth checking too. If all else fails, try again later.

File contains no data
You’ve tried to access a site that has no data available. Check the address to make sure you’re accessing the right website. If you get the same message, try again later.

Host unavailable
This simply means the requested web server is down. Try clicking your browser’s Reload or Refresh button, or try visiting the site again later.

Host unknown
You may see this message if the website’s server is down, the site has been moved, or if you've been disconnected from the Internet.
So first, check that you still have web access by opening a site that you know is there (bigpond.com, for example). If you do still have access, then try using a search engine to find the site, as it may have a new address.

Network connection refused by the server
You’ll see this message if the web server is overloaded. Simply wait awhile and then try again.

Unable to locate host
This means you’ve either been disconnected form the web, or the requested web server is down.
Check that you’re still online by visiting another site. If you are, then wait awhile and try the ‘problem’ site again.

Unable to locate server
The web server for the site you want to visit is no longer functioning, or you simply entered the address incorrectly.
Check the address and try entering it again. If that fails, try using a search.

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The Rotary name and logo are the exclusive property of Rotary International
and are used here under Rotary International Internet Policy Guidelines.

Special thanks to Tord Elfwendahl of the Stockholm Strand Rotaryklub (Sweden) for
his incredible Rotary graphic images which we have used throughout this web site.

Material on this site is Copyright
Rotary International; Rotary International District 9790 Inc; Tony Ladgrove, Phil MacDonald and Robin Chapple
and may not be reproduced without permission