Site access issues

Advice and assistance on computer matters
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GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Site access issues

Post by GazHyde »

Any one else having issues accessing the site at the moment?

I can't access the site through my I Orange broadband connection, but can through my O2 android phone... Made contact with someone else having the same issue with their virgin home connection, but can get in via their Three mobile dongle.

This maybe part of a wider issue which is emerging, but it looks like the DNS records maybe screwed for the site. This will either be at Orange & Virgin or at the company which hosts this website.

is anyone able to access this sure reliably though P2P or virgin?

I'll pm the mods just in case.

Cheers, gary.
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EnthuZiaZT
Joined: Sat 12 Sep, 2009 14:27
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Location: Heacham, Norfolk
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Site Access

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Access ok if a bit slow, however we have Orange broadband which is always slow. Perhap we need a new Broadband provider.
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swamper
Joined: Thu 13 May, 2010 17:14
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Location: Mossley

Post by swamper »

it looks like theres a lot of members cant get on gaz :?
the badness makes me do it...!

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GazHyde
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Post by GazHyde »

For anyone who can get on, we are having a discussion on facebook at the moment about it.

looks like it is a DNS issue...

Basically, when you type the site name in to your browser, DNS translates that to the ip address of the server the site lives on. It appears this translation isn't happening correctly for everyone.

So some people are finding the site, and some aren't. For Those who aren't it will look like the site is broken.

Got to love the interwebz!
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Robert T
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
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Post by Robert T »

Thought it was just me last night, but apparently not...

There is currently a problem with the DNS for the site - this is a bit like a phonebook that tells your browser where to go to contact www.zroadster.net.

In order to contact the site directly from a PC, you can edit your hosts file (normally C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) by adding the following line:

Code: Select all

213.188.134.178 www.zroadster.net
For the more technical, the site is hosted on a shared server using name-based virtual hosting, so you have to contact the site using the zroadster.net name. Typing the IP address, or the actual host name does not route to the site.

The domain registration seems fine, with expiry in Sept 2012, so it would seem that the ISP or people who run the DNS have screwed things up somewhat.

I'd rather not advertise the site's IP on FB. Just trying to think of a sensible way of letting other people know or find it. If you do put it in your hosts file, don't forget to remove it again when the site is fixed, as the site may get a different IP address in the future.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Took me a little longer to figure out how to edit the hosts file on Linux, but I'm good for now.

For reference, open a Terminal window, then type - sudo nano /etc/hosts :rtm:

Having said that, I don't think there will actually be many posts on here until the issue is sorted... :cry:
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Robert T
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Post by Robert T »

Depends on the flavour of Linux, Gaz, but the file is always /etc/hosts. You will need to be root to edit it, hence the need for sudo on the likes of Ubuntu. The format of the file is exactly the same - where do you think Microsoft got the idea from. :wink:

Cheers R.
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

I'm running Linux Mint at the moment. It's been running for over a year now, and I haven't had to enter more than 3 command lines. Was thinking that it would have taught me a bit more about Linux, which was the point of installing it! It's GUI is so good, you don't need to know how it actually works behind the scenes.

Windows however :twisted: been fighting that bloody thing since version 2.0

Oh how I wish I could afford a decent Mac... 8-)
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

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Post by pingu »

TalkTalk / Tiscali is having the same problem.

I contacted the Tiscali Technical Support and they told me that they couldn't access the site either. That confirmed it was either their security settings (which they said it wasn't) or something to do with the host server.

So it is something to do with zroadster's host.

Robert T's fix works :D

You need to have Administrator rights
Open the file Hosts in Notepad
Copy 'n' paste
213.188.134.178 www.zroadster.net
at the end of the file
Close and save.

Robert T = :nerd: :bow
Pingu
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EnthuZiaZT
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Location: Heacham, Norfolk
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Post by EnthuZiaZT »

GazHyde wrote:Took me a little longer to figure out how to edit the hosts file on Linux, but I'm good for now.

For reference, open a Terminal window, then type - sudo nano /etc/hosts :rtm:

Having said that, I don't think there will actually be many posts on here until the issue is sorted... :cry:
We don't actually go through the normal process, we save the home page in favourites, going in directly from the page each time, which means that we do not have to enter password or sign in each time. We have never had a job getting in, do you think this is why? :)
Mike & Sandy - Mora Metallic Individual 2.0L

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EnthuZiaZT
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Post by EnthuZiaZT »

EnthuZiaZT wrote:
GazHyde wrote:Took me a little longer to figure out how to edit the hosts file on Linux, but I'm good for now.

For reference, open a Terminal window, then type - sudo nano /etc/hosts :rtm:

Having said that, I don't think there will actually be many posts on here until the issue is sorted... :cry:
We don't actually go through the normal process, we save the home page in favourites, going in directly from the page each time, which means that we do not have to enter password or sign in each time. We have never had a job getting in, do you think this is why? :)
Look, we have gone straight in and entered a post without any problems 8-)
Mike & Sandy - Mora Metallic Individual 2.0L

IMG_1038.jpg~originalImage
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

DNS is a complicated pain in the butt when it goes wrong, as can be seen by some users getting in without any problems at all!

Clicking on a shortcut in your browser shouldn't make any difference in this case. The issue isn't on your machine, but the Interwebz itself.

You are just plain lucky :D
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Robert T
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Post by Robert T »

EnthuZiaZT wrote:We don't actually go through the normal process, we save the home page in favourites, going in directly from the page each time, which means that we do not have to enter password or sign in each time. We have never had a job getting in, do you think this is why? :)
No. Your ISP has probably got different cache settings on their DNS and it is just remembering the IP address for zroadster.net.

Whatever you do to sign in, is largely irrelevant, as if you can't resolve the name to an IP address, you can't see ANY page on the site, login page or not.

If I were you, I'd write down the IP address above now. :wink:

Cheers R.
Last edited by Robert T on Sat 26 Nov, 2011 16:57, edited 1 time in total.
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EnthuZiaZT
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Post by EnthuZiaZT »

GazHyde wrote:DNS is a complicated pain in the butt when it goes wrong, as can be seen by some users getting in without any problems at all!

Clicking on a shortcut in your browser shouldn't make any difference in this case. The issue isn't on your machine, but the Interwebz itself.

You are just plain lucky :D
It's the first time in along while, that we have been called lucky, perhaps we ought to buy a lotto lucky dip tonight :lol:
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Phil
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Post by Phil »

Hi
I am here via my phone.
Tim has been e mailed but no response yet - spokey maybe able to fix if he knows about the problem.
Sapphire black/Imola red and black interior/ red roof/ S54 - the only RHD one made.

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TaffZee
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Post by TaffZee »

Phew, thanks Gary, Getting serious withdrawl symptoms, No Zroadster since FridaY Night :?
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Ragtop
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Post by Ragtop »

TaffZee wrote:Phew, thanks Gary, Getting serious withdrawl symptoms, No Zroadster since FridaY Night :?


Same here TaffZee, you will be looking through old posts like me soon. :D
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GazHyde
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Post by GazHyde »

TaffZee wrote:Phew, thanks Gary, Getting serious withdrawl symptoms, No Zroadster since FridaY Night :?
Nice one!

I'm starting to feel like Tech Support for the site now, I've got a very popular inbox.

Drafted an standard response email asking "have you turned if off and on again" :D
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TaffZee
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Post by TaffZee »

GazHyde wrote:
TaffZee wrote:Phew, thanks Gary, Getting serious withdrawl symptoms, No Zroadster since FridaY Night :?
Nice one!

I'm starting to feel like Tech Support for the site now, I've got a very popular inbox.

Drafted an standard response email asking "have you turned if off and on again" :D
Thanks once again mate, I am sure everyone will appreciate your help.
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g8jka
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Post by g8jka »

I'm in too :D

Thanks Gary for all the help via email, it is appreciated.
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Hels Z'd
Joined: Mon 04 Oct, 2010 11:16
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Location: Lincoln

Post by Hels Z'd »

Getting back onto the site is like opennig the first chocolate in the Advent Calendar:)

Thanks Gary and Terry and others for the emails which helped us online.
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Titan
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Post by Titan »

Hels Z'd wrote:Thanks Gary and Terry and others for the emails which helped us online
My thanks also to Gary - I only passed on his "Windoze" message with my addition for Macs ;)
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Canman
Joined: Tue 21 Jul, 2009 15:34
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Location: Rotherham

Post by Canman »

im back but its lonely place :roll:

thanks Gaz, Rob T :D
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billz
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Post by billz »

Changed my settings and works fine. Dont think Maurice the Martian will be able to follow the instructions, swamper or taffzee might have to pop round and set it up for him :D
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XVar
Joined: Thu 24 Mar, 2011 17:58
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Location: Derby

Post by XVar »

Just posted on the z3mcoupe.com thread about this (where I found the hosts file tip), it isn't just a DNS issue - the domain has been suspended by the registrar. It's in CLIENT_HOLD status which means it expired and is in the grace period for re-registration, or is under legal dispute (I'd hope not...)

Code: Select all

Domain Information
===================
Domain.......: ZROADSTER.NET (DOM-103104)
Status.......: CLIENT_HOLD
Amended......: 2011-11-25 10:33:08 (CET/CEST)
Created......: 1999-09-23 10:22:13 (CET/CEST)
Expires......: 2012-09-23 10:22:13 (CET/CEST)
Registrar....: Active 24 (REG-1)
Image
1997 2.8 Z3 | Gallery Thread
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Just got a friend of mine (and ZRoadster member of old) looking at the domain registration side of things... He runs his own hosting company.

He says...

looks like it has been set by the host that way as it appears to have been renewed to 2012. usually legal or breach of terms and the host has applied this state. it could be that the whois information is incorrect

Other than that I guess we wait...
swamper
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Post by swamper »

he he...it worked......cheers for the help... :D
the badness makes me do it...!

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aceman
Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:16
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Post by aceman »

Well I am back to getting my fix now, thanks gaz for the words of wisdom. :D
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aceman
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Post by aceman »

Oops double post :oops:
Aceman

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Previously;
Bright RED '99 Z3 2.8

Rocking seats ? You need seat bushes click HERE
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

This one goes out to all those who have got through...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ww4v2cP-MDo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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aceman
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Post by aceman »

Classic :D
Aceman

Arctic Silver '98 Z3M

Previously;
Bright RED '99 Z3 2.8

Rocking seats ? You need seat bushes click HERE
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wildeboy
Joined: Sat 18 Jun, 2011 19:54
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Post by wildeboy »

Thanks Gaz, finally made it work. :wave

It took some doing as it wouldn't let me save the file without the .txt extension! :shrug

Anyway it feels good to be home, and it is good to see there a a few of the regulars here as well.
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

Gaz and Terry, thanks so much for your e-mail and instructions :thumb:

Blimey talk about withdrawal symptons :lol:

Regards,

Tim.
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gookah
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Post by gookah »

as you can see the fix worked for me.

if we keep this fix quiet, we have more chance of winning the photo contests. :D
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I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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GazHyde
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Post by GazHyde »

gookah wrote:if we keep this fix quiet, we have more chance of winning the photo contests. :D
:roflmao:
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G2JRP
Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 04:34
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Post by G2JRP »

GazHyde wrote:
gookah wrote:if we keep this fix quiet, we have more chance of winning the photo contests. :D
:roflmao:
Gary thanks for the help. as you can see I made it on.

Regards

Jonathan
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wonderloaf
Joined: Mon 02 Aug, 2010 20:55
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Post by wonderloaf »

Was getting really worried that the site was down permanently, but managed to find Gazhydes posting on Z3mcoupe forum on how to alter your hosts file...cheers Gaz :thumb:

Christmas starts from today as far as I'm concerned! :)
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Well done chaps, welcome back!
gookah
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Post by gookah »

just need to know how to get to the site on iPad and iPhone now.... :D
Image

Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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GazHyde
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Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

gookah wrote:just need to know how to get to the site on iPad and iPhone now.... :D
Send Titan a PM, he can tell you how to sort that! I promoted him to the site mac expert :D
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Titan
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Location: North Yorkshire

Post by Titan »

GazHyde wrote:Send Titan a PM, he can tell you how to sort that! I promoted him to the site mac expert :D
Gookah - email me via the button in my footer and I'll send you the info :wink:
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XVar
Joined: Thu 24 Mar, 2011 17:58
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Location: Derby

Post by XVar »

If your iPhone or iPad is jailbroken you can edit /etc/hosts and add the same line you added to the windows hosts file. If not I'd say you're SOL unfortunately :(
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shantybeater
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Post by shantybeater »

Good to see the site is back up :) I was getting withdrawl symptoms!
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Progress Thread:http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=36117
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Robert T
Site Admin
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Post by Robert T »

DNS entry has been fixed as of 12.30 GMT today.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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Ian_C
Joined: Sun 10 Dec, 2006 20:10
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Location: Lytham St Annes

Post by Ian_C »

We were all over here whilst the site was down. Not sure how things will pan out now however the new look and feel was very well received.
Current...1998 ///M Coupe
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rgf
Joined: Sat 23 May, 2009 08:09
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Location: York

Post by rgf »

I am glad .net is back personally. I finf it visually much more inviting.
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si-forks
Joined: Fri 08 Oct, 2010 17:38
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Location: worcester

Post by si-forks »

Great for it time (about 2000 )but things have moved on and this forum hasn't :cry:
E30 318 1988 Gone
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E36 328 1995 write off

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Vic-Z3
Joined: Fri 11 Jun, 2010 19:28
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Post by Vic-Z3 »

Excellent the site is alive, alive I tell you .............. :D
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Mein altes Auto riecht nach Nudeln, hat dieses Auto eine Wurst Geruch.
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Geoff H
Joined: Sat 08 Nov, 2003 12:03
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Location: Wellingborough

Post by Geoff H »

A twitter account (zroadsternet) was set up to let people know when there is a problem or to report one, but nothing was posted on there
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