Internet Explorer loses proxy settings

[Skywalker93]

We have a 150+ PC network, with NT servers and combination of Win95/Win98/NT clients. At random, we have problems with Internet Explorer losing the proxy settings and people can't access the Internet. If we let Internet Explorer automatically discover the proxy settings, it will let people into certain sites, but not all of them. We need to have proxy settings in all boxes, the put the exceptions in the box below. I've noticed on my PC (NT workstation) that it seems to lose the settings more often if I close IE by clicking on the 'X' in the upper right corner, rather than if I click File --> Close. Once I put the proxy settings back in, everything works fine. Any ideas?
Like I said, it happens at random over the entire network. I can't say I know of a PC that hasn't had that problem, but its not all the time and I can't immediately replicate it. But it will eventually happen again. Thanks in advance!

[Daemon]

you should use microsoft proxy client. much eaiser.

[Ron Prestenback]

Perhaps a security restriction set at the domain level that is configured improperly?

[gren]

Daemon's got a good suggestion.. Create a Microsoft Proxy Client setup for users to execute... it'll automatically configure their systems to look at the proxy server.

It's super small.. only about a meg.. configure it and then stick it on a network share for your users to download and install...

[Skywalker93]

Originally posted by gren:
[QB]Create a Microsoft Proxy Client setup for users to execute... it'll automatically configure their systems to look at the proxy server.

QB]

Is this downloadable from MS? If so, I may just go fetch it!

[Ron Prestenback]

Um, I believe that you make these configuration files via Internet Explorer Administration Kit. At least, let me put it this way. The "Microsoft Proxy Client" that has been referred to to autoconfigure the clients with the correct proxy settings - I don't know anything about. But, because I have never personally used the Administration Kit for IE, I don't know if this could be the exact same thing.

Anyway, there is a method to create automatic configuration scripts with IEAK. These scripts are what the client's browser actually connects to when you fill in the boxes for "Use automatic configuration script". They can be used to set a variety of features, and together with Group Policy Administrative Templates on Windows 2000 Server, give you complete control over what your clients can and can't do on the internet (at least in IE). But this would still require the clients to leave the browser configured with the Auto configuration enabled. Most anything that is user configurable can be set in one of these scripts, so if they mess up anything else in IE, it can be automatically repaired. However, clear the check box, or change the entry for this setting in their browser, all is naught.

You could setup a transparent proxy with different passwords for the users, and this would eliminate any configuration having to be done at the client computers, but would mandate a large increase in administration, as the users would have to log on twice (once for their user account, again to get through the proxy).

[gren]

If you install MS Proxy Server 2.0 on a server it automatically creates a client install file to point the client at the server. The only caviat is that the executable be run on the client.

When I said 'automatically configured', I omitted the fact that you need to get MS Proxy Server 2.0

[Ron Prestenback]

Yes, I thought that's what you probably meant. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Proxy server is a very good way to go, for that reason, as well as many others. If you don't have the money for it however, I believe the IEAK is free and downloadable at Microsoft's website, if you'd like to check it out. There are many benefits to both routes actually. But I think since this concerns a network that you need to administrate, you might benefit from IEAK in other ways as well.