An Interesting Problem With NBC.com, IE, And Tablet PCs

An Interesting Problem With NBC.com, IE, And Tablet PCs

Submitted by J. Pisano on April 10, 2008 – 10:14 am82 Comments

This computer problem was brought to my attention and I thought I would post it on Mustech.net to see if any of you SUPER TECH SAVVY people out there could shed some light on this problem…. and help all of us with a working solution within the context of how we are trying to get this resolved.

The problem:
If you have a Tablet PC, and XP (or Vista), and have tried to access NBC.com with IE7 (Internet Explorer -I’m not sure about version 6 or prior), you get the following typical, bland, message: Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage

This is only interesting because it WILL open with Opera, Firefox, and other browsers on the tablet PC. To further compound the issue, it will open fine in any of the other XP or VISTA, non-tablet, PC editions/computers.

The problem seems to be materialized only with the tablet PC and IE combination when going to the site www.nbc.com. I have not find this anomaly anywhere else. Are any of you experiencing this phenomenon with any other sites?

Now, before anyone goes off rambling and posting here on a hundred reasons not to use IE7, Microsoft, tablet PCs, etc… I am looking SPECIFICALLY for solutions that take into consideration this scenario only. The definitive solution at this point, as far as I can tell, is to use a standards compliant browser… but this doesn’t resolve the curiosity as to why this doesn’t work at all in IE7 and the curious webpage not found issue without any clue as to THE WHY…

I have replicated this problem on multiple tablet PCs from different locations and can confirm this to be a problem.

Here is some troubleshooting information:

The IP address of NBC.com is 64.210.192.67
Entering the IP address into the browser also results in the same problem. I can successfully ping and tracert to the above IP Address.
I have cleared all the cache information, flushed all the dns information, added the IP address to a hosts file, and disabled all add-ons and extensions from IE7 and still cannot access the site.
The address WILL open in Firefox and Opera
NBC.com has failed to respond to any inquiries about this as of yet

Very little information about this problem is found on the web without serious manipulations of keyword searches but I have found others having this same issue. This confirms that this exact problem is more widespread then just a local issue with me and my immediate computer environment(s) and will most likely will be coming to other peoples attention in the near future (You’re here right?.

The following are some sites talking about this issue, at this point with no resolution either:

http://www.vistax64.com/vista-general/139782-what-vista-ie7-can-t-pull-up-nbc-com-2.html

http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=921856

http://help.wugnet.com/vista/Vista-IE7-pull-nbcftopic-113307-days0-orderasc-8.html

http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general&tid=89d7f3ed-a2f0-4298-9a41-87541d716a08&cat=en_US_9b42b613-dfee-4b99-9378-839a15bef262&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=&p=1

Please let me know if you have had/are having this experience and anything you’ve done to try and resolve the situation by commenting below.

Best regards,

http://www.trentonmckinney.com Trenton

I also have a Wacom Tablet for use on my Desktop PC. When installed, the tablet pc functionality is enabled within vista.
http://www.trentonmckinney.com Trenton

I also have a Wacom Tablet for use on my Desktop PC. When installed, the tablet pc functionality is enabled within vista.
heroic

I’ve had this same problem too – I downloaded Google’s Chrome – the nbc site works like a charm – no problems whatsoever! I was finally able to catch up with all the episodes from hero. go google chrome!
heroic

I’ve had this same problem too – I downloaded Google’s Chrome – the nbc site works like a charm – no problems whatsoever! I was finally able to catch up with all the episodes from hero. go google chrome!
http://www.helium.com/items/483285-how-the-music-industry-is-killing-itself godfly

I designed a website for my friends ( http://trip1610am.com/ ) using Joomla with mootools and encountered this very same problem. I temporarily resolved the issue by sacrificing the videos and rotating images plugin but I would like to know if there’s a solution that do not involve disabling the plugins that we need. Is NBC running on joomla?
http://www.helium.com/items/483285-how-the-music-industry-is-killing-itself godfly

I designed a website for my friends ( http://trip1610am.com/ ) using Joomla with mootools and encountered this very same problem. I temporarily resolved the issue by sacrificing the videos and rotating images plugin but I would like to know if there’s a solution that do not involve disabling the plugins that we need. Is NBC running on joomla?
Danielle

I was having the same problem. I thought that it was the NBC site until I finally did a search and found this. I have a Dell PC with Vista SP 1 and Wacom Bamboo Tablet. I never in a million years would have imagined that the tablet was causing the problem. I did as suggested and removed the registry entry and voila! I have nbc.com again!! Thanks for posting this info, it was so helpful! Now I can watch my shows I have missed over the last two days because of my satellite being out. =0)
Danielle

I was having the same problem. I thought that it was the NBC site until I finally did a search and found this. I have a Dell PC with Vista SP 1 and Wacom Bamboo Tablet. I never in a million years would have imagined that the tablet was causing the problem. I did as suggested and removed the registry entry and voila! I have nbc.com again!! Thanks for posting this info, it was so helpful! Now I can watch my shows I have missed over the last two days because of my satellite being out. =0)
Rasha

I also have the same problem with NBC… but i also haven’t been able to access the pier1.com site for the store pier 1 imports. Does anyone else have the same problem with that site?
I’m going to try the google chrome thing. I have the hp tx 1000 tablet and windows vista.
Rasha

I also have the same problem with NBC… but i also haven’t been able to access the pier1.com site for the store pier 1 imports. Does anyone else have the same problem with that site?
I’m going to try the google chrome thing. I have the hp tx 1000 tablet and windows vista.
Nimrod

So this is clearly a problem with NBC and all those sites that do not correctly implement and test for the “Tablet PC 2.0″ user agent.
Nimrod

So this is clearly a problem with NBC and all those sites that do not correctly implement and test for the “Tablet PC 2.0″ user agent.
Andy

I am experiencing the nbc.com issue with I.E. 7/VISTA on an HP tx2000 Tablet PC. Is anyone aware of a “reasonable” solution?

Thanks
Andy

I am experiencing the nbc.com issue with I.E. 7/VISTA on an HP tx2000 Tablet PC. Is anyone aware of a “reasonable” solution?

Thanks
John

I am experiencing this with a Vista Home Premium desktop that does not have the Tablet PC 2.0 entry in the registry location from post #11.

Anyone have this issue and perhaps a fix?

Thx.
John

I am experiencing this with a Vista Home Premium desktop that does not have the Tablet PC 2.0 entry in the registry location from post #11.

Anyone have this issue and perhaps a fix?

Thx.
Jules

Thanks so much to #3 Delilah!! I have been going insane trying to get online to see my shows while at work. (i actually thought my boss blocked it, HAHA) the http://www.nbci.com works PERFECTLY. Hooray!
Jules

Thanks so much to #3 Delilah!! I have been going insane trying to get online to see my shows while at work. (i actually thought my boss blocked it, HAHA) the http://www.nbci.com works PERFECTLY. Hooray!
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Senbr

I’ve been having this same issue, but this is not a tablet PC, nor are there any tablets installed. I also do not have the “Tablet PC” entry in the registry key thats been discussed here. I’ve searched through my registry looking for anything of this nature, and no luck.

I thought I’d post my user agent string to see if anyone had any ideas…

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; WOW64; GTB5; SLCC1; .NET CLR 3.0.04506; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Creative AutoUpdate v1.10.10)

Thoughts?
Senbr

I’ve been having this same issue, but this is not a tablet PC, nor are there any tablets installed. I also do not have the “Tablet PC” entry in the registry key thats been discussed here. I’ve searched through my registry looking for anything of this nature, and no luck.

I thought I’d post my user agent string to see if anyone had any ideas…

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; WOW64; GTB5; SLCC1; .NET CLR 3.0.04506; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Creative AutoUpdate v1.10.10)

Thoughts?
Sairy Gamp

nbci.com works until I click on any of the links on the home page and then it sends me to nbci.com again!

does anyone know if changing the registry affects any other site. I do not go into the registry unless there is NO OTHER POSSIBLE solution.

I am running a tablet pc but I have another tablet running the same software and there is no problem. I have deleted all history, cookies, etc but am still being sent to m.nbc.com. Run virus checking and windows defender still going to m.nbc.com

BTW, this does not appear to be an NBC specific problem. I’ve seen reports of this happening with pier1 (not a problem for me) and ebay (not a problem for me) So there seems to be a setting or cookie or something causing the problem.

It is driving me crazy. Does anyone have any other ideas, besides fooling around in the registry?
Sairy Gamp

nbci.com works until I click on any of the links on the home page and then it sends me to nbci.com again!

does anyone know if changing the registry affects any other site. I do not go into the registry unless there is NO OTHER POSSIBLE solution.

I am running a tablet pc but I have another tablet running the same software and there is no problem. I have deleted all history, cookies, etc but am still being sent to m.nbc.com. Run virus checking and windows defender still going to m.nbc.com

BTW, this does not appear to be an NBC specific problem. I’ve seen reports of this happening with pier1 (not a problem for me) and ebay (not a problem for me) So there seems to be a setting or cookie or something causing the problem.

It is driving me crazy. Does anyone have any other ideas, besides fooling around in the registry?
Jennifer Brown

UGH! This has been driving me nuts… so glad there are technologically astute folks out there who are coming up with solutions until NBCs folks can get it fixed. The registry thing seemed a bit too complicated for me. Downloaded Google Chrome and I’m in like Flynn!
Jennifer Brown

UGH! This has been driving me nuts… so glad there are technologically astute folks out there who are coming up with solutions until NBCs folks can get it fixed. The registry thing seemed a bit too complicated for me. Downloaded Google Chrome and I’m in like Flynn!
Matthew

This problem is now happening in Firefox now. i have windows xp installed and it used to work with Firefox. Now it doesn’t, neither does internet explorer. this is very frustrating and annoying that it has not been fixed yet.
Matthew

This problem is now happening in Firefox now. i have windows xp installed and it used to work with Firefox. Now it doesn’t, neither does internet explorer. this is very frustrating and annoying that it has not been fixed yet.
Matthew

ok i cleared all the cookies and stuff in firefox and now it works.
Matthew

ok i cleared all the cookies and stuff in firefox and now it works.
NightFlash

Hey. I don’t even have the registry thingie on my computer still when I try to visit ebay.com or bink.nu I get to their mobile sites. Any other suggestions on what I can try cause I really don’t want to use FF =(
NightFlash

Hey. I don’t even have the registry thingie on my computer still when I try to visit ebay.com or bink.nu I get to their mobile sites. Any other suggestions on what I can try cause I really don’t want to use FF =(
ComputerDiva

Solution to “can’t view http://www.nbc.com” shows using IE7

Do the following:

Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> General Tab -> Browsing History-> Delete-> Delete All

Next, Go To -> Content Tab -> Clear SSL State

Next, Go To-> Connections and verify that it is all clear if you are using high speed internet (not dial up), the check the LAN Settings and make sure that is clear as well.

Next, Go To-> Advanced Tab-> Select Restore Advance settings -> then select Reset. When this is complete “uncheck Enable third party browser extensions”. Ok and restart IE7

This whole process bring IE7 back to its orginal state. When opening up IE7 you will need to do “runonce” and should be all set. This DOES NOT Delete you Favorites, but does delete everything else.

Now you can watch http://WWW.NBC.COM and access other web sites that were directing you to mobile.

I advise Not to go into the registry if you are not a Computer Tech person.
Good Luck
ComputerDiva

Solution to “can’t view http://www.nbc.com” shows using IE7

Do the following:

Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> General Tab -> Browsing History-> Delete-> Delete All

Next, Go To -> Content Tab -> Clear SSL State

Next, Go To-> Connections and verify that it is all clear if you are using high speed internet (not dial up), the check the LAN Settings and make sure that is clear as well.

Next, Go To-> Advanced Tab-> Select Restore Advance settings -> then select Reset. When this is complete “uncheck Enable third party browser extensions”. Ok and restart IE7

This whole process bring IE7 back to its orginal state. When opening up IE7 you will need to do “runonce” and should be all set. This DOES NOT Delete you Favorites, but does delete everything else.

Now you can watch http://WWW.NBC.COM and access other web sites that were directing you to mobile.

I advise Not to go into the registry if you are not a Computer Tech person.
Good Luck