Can't access online content catalog

I've recently realised that I can no longer access the Xara online content catalogue. I'm suspicious that it may have been happening since I replaced my home router as if I connect my laptop to the internet using a Wi-Fi hotspot then it connects OK but it just times out when I try to use it at home. I have a support ticket in with Xara support asking if they know of anything that has to be configured in the router for Xara but have not yet had a rely so I thought I'd try here in case anyone had any ideas? I'm wondering whether there is a specific port or ports that needs to be open for the content catalogue to be accessed?

Welcome to TalkGraphics Rob

This question came up recently. Have you renewed your subscription to the 365 support? Most Xara programs are now past the time limit. And if you have not renewed then I believe access to the Online Content Catalog is cut off.

I think in the question I saw previously re: this the member had renewed and that was not the case.

Thanks for the thought but I don't think it is that as my Xara account says that I still have 18 days left. (As an aside, I can't easily see how to renew my subscription as I am happy to do that?)

Also, I can access the content catalogue OK so long as I go through a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of my home router.

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Originally Posted by Rob-H

Also, I can access the content catalogue OK so long as I go through a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of my home router.

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That could mean that the security software of your router is blocking access to the content catalog.

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Originally Posted by Boy

That could mean that the security software of your router is blocking access to the content catalog.

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Thanks, I'm guessing that could be the issue but I can't see anything in the router setup that seems to be causing the problem. It is set not to block any services. I do have UPnP turned off but I've tried turning it back on and reinstalling Xara Designer and I still can't access the content catalogue. I'm wondering whether there is some particular port or service that Xara needs to use? Any ideas to try would be very welcome. (I have a Netgear Nighthawk D7800 router).

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Originally Posted by Rob-H

Thanks, I'm guessing that could be the issue but I can't see anything in the router setup that seems to be causing the problem. It is set not to block any services. I do have UPnP turned off but I've tried turning it back on and reinstalling Xara Designer and I still can't access the content catalogue. I'm wondering whether there is some particular port or service that Xara needs to use? Any ideas to try would be very welcome. (I have a Netgear Nighthawk D7800 router).

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Rob, can you access http://downloadsv12.xara.com/web/catalog/index.html

Acorn

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Originally Posted by Acorn

Rob, can you access http://downloadsv12.xara.com/web/catalog/index.html

Acorn

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Thanks for the reply. I've just tried and, no I can't. It times out just like when I try to access it from inside Xara. That is very odd as I'm not aware of any other web pages that I can't reach.

I've just tried running the Windows 10 networking troubleshooter with that address and had the following reply:

Windows received an HTTP error message: 403 (Forbidden) from "downloadsv12.xara.com"

Contact the owner of the remote site for permission.

Windows can reach this site but you do not have permission to access the content.



That could be a useful pointer, thanks. I'll let Xara support know.

Sorry to reply to my own post but I think I have now got to the bottom of the issue. Thanks very much for your input which gave me the idea.

I've just tried accessing the Xara site via a VPN and it works perfectly either from a browser or from inside Xara. This must mean that it is my (dynamic) Talktalk IP address that is causing the issue. My guess is that it must have been blacklisted as Talktalk ones do seem to be periodically.

Thanks again for the help.

Great!. I hope this is a permanent solution Rob. Thanks for the update.

Rob, glad you've zeroed into the problem,
Acorn

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Originally Posted by Rob-H

Sorry to reply to my own post but I think I have now got to the bottom of the issue. Thanks very much for your input which gave me the idea.

I've just tried accessing the Xara site via a VPN and it works perfectly either from a browser or from inside Xara. This must mean that it is my (dynamic) Talktalk IP address that is causing the issue. My guess is that it must have been blacklisted as Talktalk ones do seem to be periodically.

Thanks again for the help.

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UPDATE: I thought I should update this post in case anyone sees it in the future and thinks it is the solution. I have now found that my IP address is not causing the problem but it is actually caused by my Netgear D7800 router. If I use a different router then I can access the Xara content catalogue site perfectly but with my Netgear router I can only access it if I go via a VPN - very strange! Unfortunately the router is now past its 3 month support window so I can't report it as a fault to Netgear unless I can show that my specific router has a hardware problem and needs to be replaced.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob-H

UPDATE: I thought I should update this post in case anyone sees it in the future and thinks it is the solution. I have now found that my IP address is not causing the problem but it is actually caused by my Netgear D7800 router. If I use a different router then I can access the Xara content catalogue site perfectly but with my Netgear router I can only access it if I go via a VPN - very strange! Unfortunately the router is now past its 3 month support window so I can't report it as a fault to Netgear unless I can show that my specific router has a hardware problem and needs to be replaced.

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Router DHCP server IP address conflict? Or a bad Port. I had an errant wireless mouse did the same for me.

Acorn

I assume XARA is going out of business and slowly discontinuing services. I've used XARA for years and spent a fortune on upgrades and bragged on them... now no support whatsoever. Can't wait to tell everyone how bad they suck.

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Originally Posted by webadage

I assume XARA is going out of business and slowly discontinuing services. I've used XARA for years and spent a fortune on upgrades and bragged on them... now no support whatsoever. Can't wait to tell everyone how bad they suck.

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Xara has not gone to the wall. It has changed its support model over to Magix (https://support2.magix.com/customer/).

Other than your concern over support, do you have a specific problem that a TGer can help you with?
If so, do please raise a fresh Thread as adding to a specific on on the Online content catalogue will be confusing to all.

Acorn