Internet Explorer + launch = nothing??

Hey, all.

I'm really glad to have found these forums. I can't seem to find this paticular problem of mine anywhere, though. Here's the deal...

I recently upgraded to XP from '98. Before the upgrade, IE stopped working completely (as a web browser, that is). Trying to run the program would cause the screen to freeze for a moment, then the taskbar would clear of all the icons and the Active Desktop would have to be reactivated to get wallpaper back.

I tried reinstalling and uninstalling, with no success. So, I installed XP Home, which is great - but IE still will not work as a browser.

Attempted to reinstall again today, but with similar results as before - temporary frozen screen, taskbar cleared (only temporarily with XP now). No error box comes up, so I'm not even sure where to start trying to fix it!

I already tried Microsoft's suggestions in reinstalling/repairing IE with XP . Still getting the same result - nothing! I'm lost and out of ideas, and I miss IE. Anyone experience anything similar? Any ideas on what to try next?

-A

 

If other browsers, email programs, etc. are working, try Tools -> Internet Options -> Security. Then select the Internet zone and reset it to default.

If other internet access is not working, try Start -> Run. Enter "winipcfg" without the quotes. When it opens, select the network adapter and then click Release followed by Renew .

 

Good idea but won't work as written.

Winipcfg from 9X/ME systems was replaced on NT (including XP) with ipconfig and that one must be run from a cmd prompt.

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

However, it sounds like there is a worse issue with the browser than that. Worrying that it broke under 98 since upgrades to fix problems often don't work right. Hindsight and it would have been a better idea to uninstall IE completely from 98 and then do the upgrade (for anyone reading this who has not already upgraded). Can't do that with your system at this point though. Hmmmmm.

I can't think of a specific cause for this but it certainly could be the result of a virus or some particularly nasty and poorly written spyware/malware.

Now I need to figure out how you can do an online virus scan with no browser to get you there. How about going Here and downloading Firefox. If you right-click on the download link and do a "Save Target As" you should get the entire install package which is under 5Mb. Burn that to CD and install it on the problem machine. I'm betting you will be able to run the browser and can get to one of the online virus removal sites (see quicklinks in my signature for several). While you are on the internet, I'd also strongly suggest downloading the Microsoft Antispyware product. It says it's a Beta version but it is good and it is stable. Install that and let it do some cleaning.

 

Newt,
Thanks for catching that error.

I tested the cmd WINIPCFG in my Win 98 Machine and it worked.

My response was with reference to when he had the Win 98 problem, and forgot he is using XP now.

As you've said before..... "Oldtimer ".....Sheesh!

 

Thanks for the help!

I'll give those ideas a try and see what happens. I suspect it's Spyware, but I've scanned the drive without finding anything, even in the .dll files.

Thanks again,

-A

 

I could be all wet here but I think we do need to look at this in another way.

I am going to( I HOPE CORRECTLY ) believe that all this took place in 98 and you did install XP overtop of 98. If so I doubt very much that there will be a fix. Too many files other than the IE files may not have been overwritten.

I think there was much more than just IE invloved. ( even maybe Windows Explorer itself )

I think your best and longest lasting thing to do is too Format and start over.

Yes folks. This is BillyBob saying that

I now even lean MORE toward a format and start up because.

XP was installed over an already troubles system. The 2nd install might have just made things worse.

However, if XP had already not been tried I would have suggest a reinstall of 98. That I have done and have fixed problems.

amynose

I think you have learned a very valuable lesson. NEVER upgrade overtop of an already troubled system.

I hope others read this and pay attention.

I am in a SERIOUS FIGHT with a Family member over this issue right now. If he won't let me format and start over I am backing out. He has basicly the same problems that amynose has. And he also upgraded. Only he used 98SE over 98FE.

BillyBob

 

By that I meant THE SAME version of 98 and ONLY AFTER booting from a floppy.

BillyBob

 

Just a wild stab in the dark here. Right click on the IE shortcut on the desktop and choose properties. On the general tab click the settings button and then click on view objects. Delete any files you see that are listed as damaged or unknown. After doing this try using IE. If it still crashes, right click the IE icon again, properties>programs>manage add-ons. Try disabling them all and then see if IE works. If it does, it's just a matter of enabling them a few at a time until you find the one that's causing the problem. No promises here but it is one possibility.

Edit:
One more thought. Have a look in your event viewer to see if there's possibly anything in there that would give some info as to what the error is. Start>run and type eventvwr.msc. Double click on an event to see it's contents.