BB FANS

Despite the fact that I keep ticking "log me on automatically each visit" since the board software has been updated / my computer broke and required a total overhaul to get it up and running it doesnt seem to remember that I keep saying this, and makes me log in each time.

This morning, I logged in from the front page, but when I came to post a reply, it had forgotten again who I was and after making a lengthy post and hitting send, I was asked to log in again.

Its probably something I am doing wrong, but if anyone could point out what that is, it would be great. Ta

I had the same problem a couple of days ago Mrs Minx but whatever it was seems to have sorted itself out so hopefully it will for you too. Mind you, I just have to leave it and let it sort itself out or I break it even more

Hope you're keeping well.

ARGH!

I logged in from the front page, ticking the remember me automatically box, then came here, typed a lengthy reply, and then it wanted me to log in again.

Its been going on since I started posting again, so I dont know what its all about but its making me cry and doesnt seem to be resolving.

Thanks for the reply Jezi, Im doing fine, got 4 weeks to go now, I go to get my section date on Wednesday and am generally in good form. Hope you are ok too

Note to self, start copying new posts so I can repaste them rather than having to type them out twice. Hopefully it will resolve itself, but this has definitely been going on for longer than a couple of days.

Have you tried clearing your browser's cache?

The cookie* for BBFans stored in your Temporary Internet Files folder may be causing the problem (perhaps due to the forum update/back-up).

Clearing/deleting the Temporary Internet Files folder will obviously delete the cookie, and when you next visit BBFans, a brand new cookie will be generated, hopefully one that will keep you permanently logged in.

You may also want to just abandon the option to tick the "automatic login" option. That may help. You will always have auto-complete to save the hassle of typing and rembering your whole username and password.

A final probelm, unfortunately beyond your control, is if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) uses 'proxy-switching'. All this means is that when you are browsing, to lessen the load on their own servers, your ISP will switch you between different computers (proxies) at their end. You don't notice any difference when surfing, but if you are logged in to a site, this proxy-switching can cause problems**.

This can happen with AOL and Wandaoo (now Orange) but it is rare for it to affect log-ins, but it has been known.

Tracking down log-in problems can be a pain because of the number of possible causes, but I am sure Christine is working on it. Do you have the "Allow automatic logins" option checked Christine? Also double check the "Cookie settings", just one missing (or additional) period in the cookie domain can create failed log-ins for some users.






* a cookie is just a text file which stores your personal preferences when you visit websites. Don't worry, clearing/deleting your browser's cache does not affect any of your other files. Cookies are just little helpers, they are quite safe, do not damage your computer, nor spread viruses, nor steal your personal information. But often, if the cookie details are wrong, or out of date, you can experience log in problems. Nearly every site you visit on the Web will generate it's own cookie. They are harmless, and can be deleted safely.

** when you log in to a site, you generate a 'session'. This session is unique to you, and records your username, password, IP address you are connecting via, and your visit duration (session length). You can find yourself logged out of some sites if your IP address changes (because your ISP has switched the computer you are connecting through, different computers/points on a network each have their own IP address) or because your session has expired (for security reasons both for you, and especially for the host web site, you will be automatically logged out after a set time, say two hours, although for some sites, such as Yahoo! Mail, this is much longer).

Think of it as like leaving a club, then coming back a minute later with a different coat on, the bouncer doesn't recognise you, even though you are a legitimate user. You've got to show your ID all over again. Most sites however are smart enough to know you whatever you are wearing (whatever IP address you connect via or change to during a session).

Dear Alan,

Thankyou so much for your extraordinarily detailed response.

I am a board admin on another website, and fairly well versed in stuff like the cache clearing malarkey, and I did wonder if it was to do with the fact that I have just upgraded all my computer innards and given my hard drive a good hose down, so I *should* have only got a cookie for here when I came back after the upgrade.

I didnt know about the proxy-switching, and am on Wanadoo, so thats another possibility, I guess.

I didnt need to log in just now when I visited via the email link, so just to be on the safe side I will cut this to paste and then submit and hope it has indeed resolved itself by magic

Edit - it seems fine. Perhaps its to do with the home page log in. I'll try visiting via the front page next and see what happens.

Edit 2. Its DEFINITELY when you try and log in via the home page. If I come in via the forum main page it knows who I am.

Huzzah, at least thats easy to deal with.

Thanks anyway!

You are welcome MrsMinxington.

Glad to have been of help. Even though I was no help at all!!

I can never resist sticking my oar in, even if the boat already has a fully-fuctioning on-board motor!



I've no clue why the front door / forum door log-in problem exists. Both pages are in the same folder (/uk), so the site's cookie path will be the same wherever you log in from.

Oh well, all that matters is you can log in and post.