IE6 SP1... takes a long time to download a page

My last post on this subject was on Dec. 27, 2005. Since then, I had tried another Forum and contacted Terry Stockdale. Here is the back-and-forth between Terry and myself: I stated my problem and if U read thru the thread, U will arrive at the solution to my problem......(my screen name is princessmandi and here on the BBS it is princessmandi8...I couldn't change it to my preferred name, since years ago, I had registered as princessmandi8)
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princessmandi

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:06 pm Post subject: IE6SP1 takes a long time to download a page ....here is a description of my machine:

IE6 SP1 browser..links take long time to download
My computer contains: Athlon 3200gb, 1 gig Ram, I have WinXP SP2 Home, and IE 6 SP1.
When I click on a link in my OE e-mail, I am immediately taken to the web-site. When on a web-site, and I click on a link within the site, it takes "forever" to download the page....I watch the green progress bar, not much happens. It says "done ", but I still have to wait a long time for the page to download. I click the F5 key to refresh and still it takes a long time for the page to download.
I've checked for malware (AdAware, SpyBot, MS anti spyware, CCleaner....none), I ran a system scan for viruses (AVG and then TrendMicro Housecall....no viruses), I cleaned out cache, Temp files and cookies. Nothing helps.
I also ran Start/Run/ sfc /scannow with my original Win XP CD and this didn't help. I also ran IE Fix...diddn't help.
This problem occurs on e-mails with Links from e.g. PCMag.com; Lockergnome.com; AllExperts.com, etc.
What suggestions can U offer??
I would hate to format/reinstall.

Irving S.
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terry
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:02 pm Post subject:

It's time to install Service Pack2 -- no, it is way past time to install Service Pack 2.

SP2 Windows protection features and patches that you need, and IE6 got some security updates, too.

One major one -- until XP SP2, any Internet Explorer version will automatically accept any Active-X download that a web site wants to send it. At least, IE with SP2 will stop and ask "do you want to let this web site send you an Active-X control?"

Remember, "Active-X control" is Microsoft's way of low-balling the term -- it is an executable program that can do anything the programmer wants it to do.

You might also try using Firefox. Read more about it on my Firefox page at http://terryscomputertips.com/firefox

Terry Stockdale -- Baton Rouge, LA
My blog: TheNextWindow.com
My home theater site: TerrysHomeTheater.com
My computer tips articles and free newsletters
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princessmandi
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:50 pm

At the beginning of my post, I did say that I have WinXP SP2 and IE6 SP1
I have all of the required updates (which is done automatically)
I also tried Firefox and Opera browsers.....same slow download times.
Help, again
Irving S.
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terry
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:07 am

Sorry -- I got stuck on the first line that didn't mention XP SP2.

You might try one of the registry-checkers. I've used both Error Nuker ( http://terryscomputertips.com/errornuker ) and XP Repair Pro ( http://terryscomputertips.com/xprepairpro ), as well as the one built into Norton Systemworks.

Of them, I prefer XP Repair Pro 2006. The license includes all your personal machines and includes use of XP Repair Pro 2.5, in case some of them run Win2000 or Win98. I've got a review in my online newsletter from last week:
http://terryscomputertips.com/archives/news_20060212.php

Both Error Nuker and XP Repair Pro offer free scanning and will show you what they find. Similarly, each has to be purchased if you want the program to do the repairs.

The above are affiliate links -- if you use them to download and try, and decide to buy, please use them again for your actual purchase to make sure I get the referral credit.

Terry Stockdale -- Baton Rouge, LA
My blog: TheNextWindow.com
My home theater site: TerrysHomeTheater.com
My computer tips articles and free newsletters
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princessmandi
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:20 am

I have and been using both REgSeeker and Windows Registry Repair Pro.
The only things found are "invalid paths" and "unused software" which I ask the software to repair.
I also had someone look at my HiJack This log, and nothing was found that might give me trouble.
I do hope that someone can come up with a solution.
Irving S.

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terry
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:43 am

Here are a few things to try:
1) delete your temporary Internet files (IE) and cache (Firefox). Set the temporary internet files and cache to something reasonable -- 4-5 MB if cable or dsl, or 20 MB if dialup. By default, Windows uses 10% of your hard drive.

2) dump your System Restore points (turn off System Restore, which will dump them, then turn it back on). THEN, run your antispyware and registry checkers. Download and try CounterSpy (30-day free trial) http://terryscomputertips.com/counterspy

3) Check your Hosts file (C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts -- delete anything other than
127.0.0.1 localhost
and anything for your local network that YOU have set up

4) IE -- go into Internet Options and reset to one of the "default" settings

5) Are you using an Internet Proxy service? Intentionally or unintentionally -- your ISP may be using a proxy that's slow rather than just using a cache. Try turning off the proxy.

6) Are you running any ad-blocking or javascript-blocking software? I noticed with Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall -- it put a big javaScript around any web page I downloaded, which slowed up things

7) Back to #3 -- if you're using ad-blocking, it often works by redirecting the requests to 127.0.0.1/localhost -- which means the browser keeps waiting for the data to come in, until it finally fails.
Terry Stockdale
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Princessmandi
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:31 pm

Thanks Terry. Here's what I did, following your instructions:

1) I had 10 MB and now changed to 5 MB as U suggested.

2) I turned System Restore OFF, then ON. Ran SpyBot and AdAware....no malware! Then Registry Repair Pro....found 6 "errors" having to do with invalid paths...and repaired these; then downloaded Counerspy and ran it.....system clean!!

3) Did what U advised..... Only item in hosts file is now 127.0.0.1 localhost

4) IE -- go into Internet Options and reset to one of the "default" settings

5) I don't hve proxy ON. (don't know whether my ISP has anything to do with proxy).

6) I don't think I have any ad-blocking or javascript-blocking software. (I don't know about once in a while I get a popup telling me about a script error and should I allow or block. I keep hitting ALLOW, but nothing happens. Then I have to click BLOCK and the popup goes away

7) Back to #3 -- if you're using ad-blocking, it often works by redirecting the requests to 127.0.0.1/localhost -- which means the browser keeps waiting for the data to come in, until it finally fails. In Tools/Internet Options/Privacy TAB, I don't have a check mark next to Pop Up Ad Blocking.
Maybe we are getting closer, but we aren't "there" yet.
Irving S.
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princessmandi
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:05 pm

Terry,
I think that U have solved my problem. I'll give U the "rest-opf-the-day-off ". I tried several sites and the download was almost "immediate ".
Let's hold off until I go thru some more sites.

Thank U....Thank U....Thank U.
I want U 2 know that others have tried to help me...to no avail
Have a great week and will keep U posted.

Irving S.
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terry
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:20 am

Great. Glad to help. Glad you go the problem resolved, too!

Terry Stockdale -- Baton Rouge, LA
My blog: TheNextWindow.com
My home theater site: TerrysHomeTheater.com
My computer tips articles and free newsletters

 

Were you using the MVPs hosts file?

 

Here is how I accessed the hosts file:
C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
this is in file: 127.0.0.1 localhost

 

Did you download and use MVPs hosts file or use your own custom hosts file before the problem occurred? In other words did you remove a hosts file that you installed.

 

Did you download and use MVPs hosts file or use your own custom hosts file before the problem occurred? In other words did you remove a hosts file that you installed.

I did not know much about Hosts file. Did what was suggested to access file, and found just the one I posted.