IE6 images or links replaced by box

IE6, Windows ME: On certain web pages I can only see a box containing a [red square, a triangle and a circle] where there should be either an image or a navigation link.
I have searched the forums as best I could - but couldn't find anything that has helped in my situation. As suggested in the few postings I found like this, I made sure the internet options was set to show pictures; I have tried placing the website in trusted zone; I couldn't find any privacy settings to change on Zone Alarm 5.5 (not pro); I have tried closing both ZA and AVG (free 7.0) - still no change. Also this is not a red x like some of the other posts I read.
It is really frustrating - All suggestions are appreciated!

 

try these links:
first
second
third
more

 

dlmars--sparrow's response was about how to cure RedX's.
But I have understood that you are seeing a

This very often is a sign of a Macromedia Flash program that cannot play. Try a right click|Properties on that icon. What do you see in the Address line? Does it suggest it is a .swf file? Does it suggest it comes from an advertising site? Perhaps you do not really care to see the advertisement?
Anyway, if you want to explore if Flash is the problem, do you have Flash Player installed? (You can test here if you do not know. Note, that for the test to run, you will have to have ActiveX controls permitted to run in IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Level)
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/
If you do not have Flash Player (or it is a version earlier than 7.0), you can get the latest and free Flash Player download here (again ActiveX controls must be permitted to run)
http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer
Once Flash Player is installed, reload the page.

Getting back to RedX's--The first link that I posted in the third link provided by sparrow has been changed. Here is the current URL.
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers/51.html
A couple of other possibly helpful links
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283807
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307239 (ignore the reference to Front Page)
As you can see the possible reasons and possible cures for RedX are numerous.

 

When I went to the Flash website, it displayed a message that "you might not have everything you need to view our website" (in other words)but I did see that Flash is required to do so. I checked my add/remove programs and did not see it in the list, although for some reason I think I may have had it at one time.

Anyway, the problem I am having downloading it (just to see if this is the problem...) is that the Flash website also has these square symbols (not red x's) everywhere and when I right click/properties on them (and other web pages) they all show html. (Unless I am not doing something right!) Clicking on them does nothing either. So I can't get the download to work because I think these boxes are something you can click on to for example, get the download to start.

I thank you both for the responses so far. I am still going to try and try to get flash downloaded - maybe this is the problem after all.

 

dlmars--Did you follow the link in the line you mention on the Flash website about "You may not have everything... "? If you did you will get to this page
http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_18501
which mentions the need to have Javascript enabled (but interestingly no mention of ActiveX). Suggest you go to IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Level and check that both "Allow active scripting" under Scripting and "Run ActiveX controls and plug ins" under ActiveX are set to Enable|OK|Apply|OK.

 

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply but I have been messing with this off and on for a week.

The settings you mentioned were already set to enabled and I have tried to get Flash to download with no success. At some point I finally got Shockwave to download - it does appear in my add/remove programs but not on the desktop and I don't know if that is normal.

I just can't get the regular flash to download because where it shows there is supposed to be a movie playing after download is just one of those boxes. I can click download now but nothing happens. And even with shockwave downloaded, I am still getting those boxes on the flash website. I am just about to give up on this. (and not able to get much help out of the flash website regarding this problem).

 

dlmars--I understand you cannot get Flash to download or play, but you have checked that ActiveX controls are set to Enable.
On that same IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Level window set the first and third boxes under Scripting to Enable as well. OK|Yes to the message|Apply|OK.
Now try to download Flash, test for it being installed and see if the funny icon problem is fixed.
P.S. Not sure you need Shockwave to fix your problem, but since you have it, I guess there is no harm. Believe it is more for gaming and music downloading.

 

Jim-just wanted to let you know the problem with the strange boxes on the internet is fixed for me now (btw-those settings were correct on my options). Anway, I became so frustrated with it that I just ended up doing a windows me systems recovery (without format). It didnt work at first but when I was re-downloading incredimail it asked if I wanted to download the current version of flash player and I said yes but never really saw it load anything there. So I went to the flash website and it said it was successful and now those boxes are gone! I appreciate all the help you've been in identifying the problem. Thanks!

 

dlmars--Thanks for posting back. Do not think I was really that much help, but I am pleased you fixed the problem.

 

Are you kidding? I didn't even know what could possibly be causing those boxes to appear and you were absolutely correct - it was the flash player.

Now obviously something was wrong on my end that wouldn't let me download it (corrected by the recovery) but once I could get the current version downloaded everything works fine! And those boxes were replacing critical elements of the webpages so that you couldn't get anywhere. AND even if I had just done the recovery I still wouldn't have known that I needed to get the current flashplayer.

So yes - you were a GREAT help! I love this forum!

 

dlmars--You are welcome. Glad you like the service on WindowsBBS!!