IE 5.5 crashes at some websites

Hi,

My IE 5.50.4134 browser started crashing at a site that I had been accessing without a problem until a few days ago. The problem began after I installed and later uninstalled software from this site.

A rep at the site suggested that I install Sun Java (J2RE 1.4.2_3) to resolve the issue. However, when I tried to download this software from the Sun Microsystems website my browser crashed yet again.

I haven't had any trouble at other websites I've visited. If anyone here has encountered a similar issue please advise me on how to correct this problem. I'm using Windows 98SE.

Thanks,
Dean

 

Have you considered running a more current OS and Browser?

 

Hi AJAJohnDoe, thanks for the reply.

Due to the cost involved, it would make more sense for me to buy a new computer rather than upgrade my OS. Unfortunately, I won't be able to afford a new PC for several months.

I'm using the older IE 5.5 browser because its the only IE version compatible with 98SE that I've been able to get the Shockwave and Flash players to work in. I need the Shockwave and Flash plugins for a software training program I'm trying to install.

If you have more questions or if you need more info please let me know...

 

I understand keeping costs in check. I only asked because Win98 and IE 5.5 are both old enough that it would not be unexpected to run into problems with functionality on some websites.

PeteC's approach is sound and reasonable.

I would only add to it to perhaps trying clearing the Cache and Cookies in IE to get a fresh start.

 

Hi Pete,

The website where my browser keeps crashing is http://rhi.skillport.com/SkillPortFE/login/login.cfm

The download and install came from this link:
http://support.skillsoft.com/tier2/tom/dist_en.exe

You may be right: either the software won't work at all in my pc or I need to do some upgrading before it will work. I checked out the link you provided and Go!Zilla is not installed on my machine. I also performed a browser repair and nothing changed insofar as logging into the website or downloading Sun Java--both are still a no-go.

If my symptoms point to a java-related issue, do you think updating my current 5.00.3167 version of the MS Java Virtual Machine to build 5.00.3810 might solve the problem? My only concern about this update is whether or not the newer build is fully compatible with the older IE 5.50.4134 browser. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

AKAJohnDoe, I do clear the cache and cookie folders on a regular basis.

 

Thanks for the link Pete; I felt more comfortable about updating JVM after reading the info there. But as you suspected, the build 3810 update didn't resolve the problem.

According to SkillSoft, my PC meets all of the requirements for running that version of the software except one: I don't have quite enough RAM. I don't think this would cause major problems as I was able to use an earlier version of the software (no longer available) on my Win95 laptop with only half the minimum required RAM.

While I was out and about yesterday I downloaded Sun Java J2RE 1.4.2_03 for Windows using a different computer and burned it on a cd. Although I'm not sure my browser has a java-related issue, having this software on hand might be helpful later on.

If it helps in diagnosing the problem, the first line of the details in the "crash" window reads as follows:

IEXPLORE caused a general protection fault in module USER.EXE at 0008:000039b7.

Tried a Google search using that line and didn't find any info. At this point I'm willing to entertain any ideas for getting my browser to work properly again.

 

Thanks again Pete. Apparently I was being too specific in my search.

I'm going to wait on installing Sun Java until after I talk to a "Level 2" rep at SkillSoft tomorrow to be certain I've got the right version. I don't have a Yahoo toolbar, AutoComplete is turned off, and I've tried to log in at the site with no security programs running. I'm not sure how to check my graphics driver and I don't think I made any changes that would affect it--unless the SCM install did so.

I read through most of the info in the link and one of the ideas I followed up on was to run Scanreg /fix, which repaired my USER.DAT file. When I tried to log into SkillPort later my browser crashed again, but the crash window details changed slightly:

IEXPLORE caused a general protection fault in module <unknown> at...

Might this change indicate a registry issue?

 

Found the crash culprit!!

The hint was located here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253364
This article is similar to--but not exactly the same as--the one provided in Pete's link from a few days ago. In it, Go!Zilla and Gator are identified as download managers. My bulb lit up!

Immediately prior to downloading the SCM I installed a program called Free Download Manager to facilitate large downloads. I completely forgot about it because I only used the program once--to download the SCM files. After reading the kb article I uninstalled FDM and removed all the files and registry traces associated with it that I could find.

Presto! I'm able to log in at SkillPort again. I'm going to replace FDM with Download Express and try to manually install (.exe) another older version of the SCM provided by SkillSoft.

Thanks again for the help. I'll report any further progress here http://www.WindowsBBS.com/windows-95-98-me-nt/75057-administrator-privileges-98se-new-post.html
unless you all think I should start a new thread. Please let me know...

 

Petec I have been using download manager (DAP) for ages & have not faced any problem with MS downloads till now. [keeping my fingers crossed ]

 

Well, I installed Download Express and now I can't download anything at all using either this program or the IE downloader. This is puzzling as I've used an earlier version of DE in the past without any problems. Couldn't find any useful troubleshooting info on DE at the MetaProducts website. I posted my symptoms at the MetaProducts forum last night and haven't received any replies, so I'll probably uninstall this program and maybe try Orbit Downloader.

If my internet connection is broken for any reason while using the IE downloader I've had to start the download again from the beginning. This can be frustrating for large time-consuming downloads--especially if the download is almost complete. The biggest reason why I use a download manager for large files is that it can usually resume the download from the point where the connection was broken to save time in completing the process.

If anyone reading this could recommend a reliable freeware download manager compatible with win98SE and IE 5.5 I'd be willing to give it a try. Thanks.