Cannot open links in Outlook Express or shortcuts in Internet Explorer

I cannot open links in Outlook Express version 6 or Internet Explorer verion 6.0. I have Windows XP. Please help.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. However, since I can't "click" on the link you gave me and get it to open... could you type out the full address so I can copy and paste it into my internet explorer or access it some other way. Thanks again.

 

FYI, had you right-clicked on Pete's link and chosen Properties, the URL would have been diplayed and you could have coped and pasted into your browser

 

You could also right click and copy shortcut then paste it in browser.

 

I followed the directions in the Microsoft Knowledge Base link. All my settings seem to be correct. However, after going through and checking the settings, Oulook Express then allowed me to "click" on links and it did open them. So that part is solved. Internet Explorer still does not let me click on links and shortcuts on webpages. Any more suggestions. Thanks so much for everyone's help.

 

I've seen this bit of advice from time to time. As it is not harmful, I am curious if it works.....

Do a search for the ie.inf file. When found right click on it and select install.

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I was going to hold off on this link until I found out if the above^ suggestion panned out, but since it is getting late and I do not know if you will return before I call it night, one of these should get ya' going again:

http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers2.htm#blank_windows

Specifically checking the url associations and doing the regsvr32's.

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Have you updated IE/OE lately?

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Until you find a fix, these work arounds may help.....

Open a new IE window and drag and drop the urls in it. May be easier than copyNpaste.

How about a right click on the url and a selection of open in a new window?

Can also dragNdrop onto the address bar.

 

Try this. Click start>run and type the following in.

regsvr32 Urlmon.dll

You should see a message as to whether or not the dll registered properly. Then try IE again.

 

I did the search and it resulted no findings.

I went to http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/an...m#blank_windows, but it was unable to display page. I went to the mvps home page, but did not find the article.

I ran the regsvr32 Urlmon.dll and it was successful.

Then I tried Internet Eplorer again. Shortcuts and links on webpages still do not open.

Thanks for all your help so far.

 

IE.inf is in c:\windows\inf folder. To do a file find [and includes ALL files] you must set your folder options to show hidden and system files:

Make sure you have the ability to view hidden files by adjusting preference options in....
1>Click on My Computer icon or if in explorer>toolbar>view
2>click on toolbars "View" category
3>click on "Folder options "
4>click on "View" Tab:
5>and scroll to the [Hidden Files] section and enable or disable the options below by unchecking or checking as designated:
"Do Not show hidden files "=unchecked
"Do not show hidden or system folders "=unchecked
"Show all Files "= checked
"hide file extensions for known files "=unchecked

Now do the file find.

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Sorry about the link. Try:
link problems

And
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q281679

 

I followed your instructions and did the search again. Resultls, "No Files Found ".

I will check out the links you provided and get back. Thank you for your time and patience.

 

OK, I went manually, right clicked, clicked "install ", the install box poped up and asked what "path ". The path offered was
C:\WINDOWS\inf\i386. When I clicked "OK ", it would refuse this path. Any ideas?

 

I believe the glitch in this is that path may be a default for a "store bought" version of XP. OEM's path may differ. You'll have to use the Browse button option to browse to your i386 folder. This may be on your harddrive or on a CD.

You may still have to use this Browse technique even if you use Pete's run line suggestion.

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I have suggested updating several times now. Pete has done the same. Are you ready to consider this?

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Let me know if the the Browsing install redirrect works. I need to know if this will fix the problem. If not I have another idea, but it require the iexplore.exe/iexplore.ex_ from the i386 driver folder just as the above suggestions have.

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You may/most_likely have some registry hkey values missing. How did you wind up in this fix? How long has it been going on? Got any popup stoppers or background apps running that you don't need?

Maybe alternatives should be considered such as a past restore point, or if worst comes to worst, an repair of XPS install.

 

OK. I read all the links, followed all the instructions and everything looks like it is set right.

Let me clarify the problem. I am NOT having blank pages open. I am trying to click on and open shortcuts to other webpages and nothing happens. You click and nothing. On the bottom of the page where it usually shows "opening ..." or "Done ", it shows "Shortcut to Javascript...or whatever ".

My situation is this... I got a new Dell Inspiron 1100 notebook with Windows XP Home Edition already installed. Norton Antivirus was already installed also. Norton would not get LiveUpdates like it was supposed to. So I called Norton. I got a technician who, unknown to me, didn't have a clue but sounded like he did. He instructed me over the phone to go into the 'directory ". He had me make a bunch of changes, which I like a fool did.

Bottom line, he fried my harddrive on the brand new computer. Norton won't do anything so I contact Dell. They have me completely reinstall everything from the Reinstallation CD which came with the computer. I also have a Drivers, Utilities, and Applications CD, WordPerfect Office 11 (Corel) CD.

So, having gone through all that, you can see why I am hesitant to do anything drastic. If I am never able to solve this minor problem it will be fine. But it would be nice to fix it.

One last bit of information. I have Proxomitron pop up blocker, which works great. Could this have anything to do with the problem?

Thank you kind people.

 

Your popup blocker could have everything to do with your problem. Some popup blockers won't allow a link to open unless you first press and hold the CTRL key before clicking on the link. I don't know if Promomitron is like this for I have never used it but you can give it a try.

If this doesn't work then you'll know that your pop up stopper is not your problem.

 

Ahhhh....
But even google popup stopper will prevent some links from functioning. Those that use a java script to open a popup window. I have ran into this several times. Usually allowing the sound that google will make when blocking the popup will clue me into the fact that I have to use the control key to allow the popup. To clarify, when I click a link and hear the pop sound effect and the link does not load, I will use the control key override and that fixes my problem.

Additionally,some sites will not load until after a popup is allowed to load. You must use you own judgment on this, based on how badly you wish to visit that site.