Internet Explorer and blocked Activex to Microsoft Updates , etc.

This is going to be a long post but for those that have been going in circles for hours and like me days, I thought it worth posting.

The problem started actually a few months ago when Windows updates stopped and since so many are not useful, I didn't worry about it much when I couldn't access their site for downloading updates etc. Since I use Netscape brower, everything else seemed okay.

Well, all went well until my Norton Internet Security was about to expire and I purchased NIS2004. I started the usual process and when it was being installed from the Desktop temp file it stopped running and the error came up
"Sym Network Driver Error" and under it that the ACTIVEX controls would not permit it to continue the download.

Another message after another try
"Current MIE security settings prevent running Activex controls in this page "

And on and on it went. I went to Microsoft support, Symantec support,,,,,,,read and tried everything that was suggested. all the regsvr etc. stuff and nothing helped.

Sent an email to Microsoft techs and he sent me two pages of instructions last night.......still no luck and further I sent him the windows log as requested.....now I'm waiting for him to come on shift tonight..

But I found a paid site and there was my problem,,,,it only seems to have taken these "experts" from mid June until the almost the end of July to try to find a solution! But his solution was self found in the end.

I am amazed that all the following has happened and the Microsoft Support Techs and "experts" never seemed to know that this page exists.

I am enclosing the message which I sent too Microsoft Tech late today along with the "HIDDEN INFORMATION" in the INTERNET TOOLS site.......My sister who has teens constantly "wrecking" her computer, told me where to look. After the "experts" conversations, you will find the information (part of the list) that is availaable when you do a "Find Files and Folder" with "Downloaded Program Files ",,,,,THAT IS THE ACTIVEX folder!

The result and the message sent to Microsoft Technician:

Hello Yusef

This morning I was telling a friend about a site that I had visited yesterday in which there was a series of conversations regarding my problem although on XP system.
These "experts" went back and forth from june15, 2003 to July 27, 2003 and it closed after all the suggestions that apparently didn't work with the person with the problem fixing it by uninstalling shockwave/flash and having to do a stand alone download and reinstall as he also couldn't do downloads for microsoft. I am attaching these messages here for your information and then go to the very bottom as I checked out INTERNET TOOLS and programmes which reveals the downloaded programmes and dates. My problem I think is in this last information.

The "expert" conversation is from this site
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Security/Win_Security/Q_20648791.html

Question Title: Security settings prohibit running activex controls
Author: matt1982
Points: 225
Date: 06/15/2003 10:33AM PDT
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When i go to any site that uses an activex control i get the error message "your current security settings prohibit running activex controls on this page. As a result, the page may not display correctly ". But it's not as simple to fix as going into IE security settings and setting it to low or choosing different options, i've tried all that. I don't remember what i was doing before this error started appering, but it might have been to do with some local policies i was messing around with but i'm not posistive on that. I can't find anything in the local policy that has to do with activex security. I also tried repairing windows (not re-install...yet, trying to avoid it) as well as creating a new user and trying with that user. I've followed all the steps MS gives toward the error on the windows update page with no luck. So, if anyone has any ideas as to what may be causing this error to appear, i would really like to hear them as I am out of ideas.

btw i'm using XP Pro with IE6 SP1

Thanks in advance,
Matt


Many, Many posts from the "experts" follow with links etc. and finally this last post from someone with the problem and a suggestion that worked for him at least.

Comment from TheKenman
Date: 07/14/2003 11:33PM PDT
Comment
At this point I believe I've done everything recommended on this page and all linked pages, and the same problem persists. I just upgraded to XP SP1 today, no change. Created a new admin user account, no change. Deleted the Activex controls I already have, and now I can't install Flash =(

I must say this is one of the most annoying Windows bugs I've ever come across...


Comment from Dumonyu
Date: 07/25/2003 01:22AM PDT
Comment
I had this problem forEVer, active-x security settings blah blah blah, and I finally fixed it by reinstalling shockwave/flash. Before you install the shockwave and/or flashplayer, make sure you have uninstalled the previous instances of these apps. Ironically, you will have to download the standalone installer of Shockwave/Flash as your 'broken' Shockwave/Flash will keep you from reinstalling the standard way at the website.

Hope this helps!
-DM

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And finally my information for Yusef from the "Hidden Files "
(I'm very surprised that he didn't look there!)

I could not copy the files from the ACTIVEX FOLDER as they are write protected. So I have copied three of the file informations below. I THINK THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS??????????????

I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND MY WAY BACK INTO THE TOOLS/INTERNET TOOLS TO THE AREA THAT I FOUND THEM, BUT I DID RECORD THE FILE AND FOUND AGAIN WITH FILE FINDER....IT IS CALLED
"DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES "

There are a number of files there but the important ones that I see based on the status and the download date of the Shockwave file related to the above "expert" conversations above, are as follows:

Type: Activex Control Created 01/01/01
I.D. 9F1C1AA-187B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F
This file lists 3 files and 0 Java packages upon which 9F1C1AA-................depends

Dependency:
C:\Window Download...\IUCT.INF* 32768 bytes
C:\Windows\System\IUCTL.DLL* Damaged
C:\Windows\System\IUENGINE.DLL* Damaged

Version: 5.3.3716.1
Code execute http://v4windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB x8
__________________________________________________________________________________

Type: Shockwave Activex Control Created 24/06/03
ID 166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000 32768 bytes Installed

Dependency:
C://Windows/Download ERM.INF*

Version: 8.5.0.400
Code http://download macromedia.com/pub.shockwa.....

__________________________________________________________________________________

Type:Activex Control Created 30/7/02 32,768 bytes Installed
ID D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-9688-444553540000

Dependency:
C\Window/Download/SWFLASH.INF*

Version: 6.0.47.0
Flash Player 6.0.47
Code: http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwav....
__________________________________________________________________________________

HELP!! what do I do now?

Gloria

 

Gloria, your post ends with HELP!! what do I do now? which makes it sound like you still have a problem. But if so, I can't figure out exactly what since it looked like you'd found a fix for your original issue.

Are you still having trouble and if so, exactly what isn't working right now?

 

Hi,

That person had found a solution to the problem with the new download of shockwave,,and it appears that his problem started about the same time as mine and shockwave file was downloaded about the same time in mid June.

The problem that I have is that the other file that I listed there is listed as damaged.
I'm not sure if I should be looking for somewhere to get those two files also.

Microsoft has got back to me and is now saying the solution is to remove Internet Explorer (I'm using 5.5)

The instructions are as follows, but he has not responded to my question regarding the damaged files and I understand that once IE6 is downloaded some of the files can not be removed later...ever.

So your suggestions would be appreciated.

Gloria

 

Sorry, I forgot to attach the instructions

Gloria, if the above step doesn't resolve your issue, then we will have to reinstall Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 as some files of Internet Explorer might got corrupted or damaged, before that we will have to delete the old setup files of Internet Explorer.

To delete the delete the old setup files of Internet Explorer, please complete the steps given below:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
2. Double-click the C: drive.
3. Now that you are looking at the folders right on the C: drive see if you have one called "Windows Update Setup Files." If you do then please delete it.
4. After checking the C: drive for the folder then double-click on the "Windows" folder and also look for the folder "Windows Update Setup Files" and delete it.

Once we have the old setup files deleted we just need to go and re-download Internet Explorer. It will just reinstall right over the top of your current one. Make sure to disable your antivirus before starting this.

To reinstall the Internet Explorer 6 Web Browser:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp

Your feedback is very important to us, to further enhance our support. Please let me know whether the steps resolved your issue or not and by which method?

 

Oof. I see how things got more than a little confusing.

What OS are you running IE 5.5 on?

 

Hello and thanks for your help.

This is what has been happening.........
Well, I have ACTIVEX back, updated Internet Explorer and Norton Internet Security loaded.....but now after close to 30 pages of instructions between Microsoft Technician and Norton help (they felt so sorry for me that they troubleshot the computer free!) it turns out the following is what has happened.

.Just so you know, Microsoft couldn't find out why the Activex Control was blocked, but I found a damaged file listed in the Download Program File and although they didn't tell me how to fix or reload it, they finally(after three days of emails of do this and do that) had me delete the IE5.5. and reload IE6. That solved the IE problem and the Activex file, but then the Norton Internet Security which was being prevented from downloading,,started to download and stopped, stating their download file was corrupted.

An half hour wait on the phone to get to a live technician and finally they troubleshot the problem. .........After using Norton for 5 years, this new NIS2004 is 35% larger due to extra additions of more and better firewalls, etc. and it turned out it took too much RAM.

So I am now going to have to purchase more RAM to run it as when it is enabled the Windows Explorer is too "weak" to run the computer. 4 complete days and that is how it has ended.

So it turned out to be an Internet Explorer Activex Problem, compounded by the increased size of the New NIS2004.

MORE RAM!!!! and perhaps I will be okay for another year.

 

Wait a year?!
AVG AV for free, this very good free AV program will work for you nicely. After using it, you may not want Norton again.

Kerio Personal Firewall is a great free firewall.

To fix the damaged files, you need to remove that ActiveX control, from Downloaded Program files, just right click and select Remove. These are not essential Internet Explorer files.
The reason Microsoft is not all that willing to help you on this is because it is third party software.
Macromedia Shockwave and Flash is what you seem to be wanting.

 

Thanks for the response.

I'll check it out, but think I should get more RAM anyway as I have only 64 and I have many accounting and photo programmes on my computer.

Lots of harddrive left, just too little RAM, I just have to figure out what I need. Norton tech said to be careful as there are many kinds out there.......whatever that meant??

Thanks again.
Gloria

 

Hi, I'm back and fit to be tied......

I am running Windows 98SE on 400Mhz with 6GB harddrive.

When I started this I had 64MB of RAM. I checked the card and it was PC100. I bought 256MB RAM as everyone has said that it can be loaded with the 64MB. I questioned this as I have 4 slots there and wondered if I should have added it as 64MB more or whether it mattered or not.

Anyway I put it in and the computer is reading that 320MB is installed and I can run operations without trouble it seems, EXCEPT that !@#$ Norton NIS2004.

Since it was already downloaded, but wouldn't operate due to lack of RAM, I uninstalled it and reinstalled it after the new RAM was installed. JUST trying to make sure that things were in the "right order ".

I have just uninstalled Norton again as when it is loaded, the EXplorer tray quits responding.
I tried disabling it in the system config tray and found that of course I had to leave the shared files enabled or I was really in trouble..... "system may have become unstable ", etc.


My questions:
What do I do with the shared symantic files? Norton has a removal programme with all sorts of warnings if used to totally remove files.

Before with 64MB RAM and normal loading including NIS2004 the Explorer was not responding and the performance showed 30% RAM available.

After installing the 256RAM in the first slot and moving the 64MB RAM to the second slot the computer is showing 320MB RAM,,,,,,BUT when normal loading including NIS2004
the Explorere is not responding and the performance showed 48% RAM available.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the is roughly 160MB RAM that is being used by a "ghost "?

I had also configured access to internet based programmes, but for some reason when it was enabled, internet explorer wouldn't display.

I have since uninstalled NIS2004 and think perhaps I will
look at your free suggestions....but would like to know if you can explain what is happening to my RAM and also perhaps what to do with symantec shared filess left on computer.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Gloria

 

Shared files are not system files. A shared file is meant to be used by more than one program.
Norton installs a lot of files as shared files, but is the only one using them. Removing them during the uninstall should be done, as they could be corrupt, especially if you mean to install again.
Do you mean Explorer.Exe is not responding, or Systray.Exe?

 

Hi Mark,

The "What is running" box which comes up on Ctr/Alt/Del keeps showing the Explorer is not responding when the computer loads with Norton NIS. The computer loads and stops with white screen part way into the load and although I have Netscape as a default, INTERNET explorer loads and displays "page cannot be displayed ". I understand this to a degree as NIS uses this for this connection and I think that since NIS is involved in the load, that seems to "kill" EXplorer.exe the permitted accessed to Internet Explorer.

I only know at this point that since I have completely unloaded NIS2004, I am not having any problems with Explorer. exe or Internet Explorer.

One thing that has resulted is on startup before Windows lloads the "black and white" screen comes up stating that

"Cannot find a device file that may be needed to Window or a Windows application.
Windows registry or System INI file refers to this device file, but the device file no longer exists.
If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using its uninstall or set up program.
If you still want to use the application associated with the file try reinstalling that application to replace missing file.
C/Program`1\Symantec\SYMEVNT.386 "
(I may have written the number above incorrectly but will have to restart the computer to check it and then I would lose this whole conversation..LOL, I'll correct if the number is incorrect after posting this)

Now I have noticed that my computer does not close the display after 10minutes of idleness as it was set to do.
Nothing major so far, but I guess I could find the file on the system disk and reinstall the Windows file as apparently that Symantec file WAS important to the main system.

A week today since I tried to install NIS2004!


Thank you for your assistance.
Gloria

 

To clarify my first paragraph above,,,,,sorry .

The "What is running" box which comes up on Ctr/Alt/Del keeps showing the Explorer is not responding when the computer loads with Norton NIS. The computer loads and stops with white screen part way into the load and although I have Netscape as a default, INTERNET Explorer loads and displays "page cannot be displayed ".
I understand this to a degree as NIS uses INTERNET Explorer for this connection and I think that since NIS is involved in the load, that seems to "kill" EXPLORER.EXE and thus the permitted accessed to INTERNET Explorer.

The EXPLORER.EXE just seems to be overloaded by the NIS loading. (I understand that EXPLORER.EXE and INTERNET EXPLORER are two completely different things)

 

UPdate:

With all the other problems, I forgot to check the Display settings and found the monitor set to "never ". Changed the setting to 5 minutes and solved that problem.

This has just been so ongoing for 8 days that I am losing my common sense.

Gloria