Resolved Unable to [install] Internet Explorer - IE is not supported by the OS

I have been setting up a new hard drive on a friend's laptop. She had installed the OS, but had inserted a password, but couldn't remember it, so I had to reinstall the OS to get into the computer.

IE was on the computer after the second installation.

Sometime during the installation of the drivers, IE disappeared and I have been unable to reinstall it.
The error message is IE is not supported by the OS. The OS is Vista 32 on Inspiron laptop operating wireless with DSL, router network.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dee

 

Ive tried 6,7.8 & 9 and I get the same error message with everyone, the OS does not sopport IE.
Thanks Pete for replying.

Dee

 

Get bak wth you in a little while.Sorrry about my terminology. I know what is happening,and that is the only way I know how to describe it. My computer vocabulary is minimum.
Thanks for your help,
Dee

 

Just one quick idea, did you check when you started the download of IE that it was the correct version for your system. 32bit or 64 bit, it has to match the OS.

 

Yes that it was for Vista 32.
I did the Run that Pete suggested and found a set up for IE and when I clicked on it, it downloaded, then told me I had a previous version of IE on my computer. I cannot find it.
I know there is a way to check using Run to check for installs but I have forgotten how to use it.
Thanks.
Dee

 

Looking like a hard drive problem. From the run command type in CHKDSK that will give the hard drive a thorough going over.

 

This site has a few free progs that will list the contents of the hard drive.

http://www.technize.com/5-free-tools-to-list-hard-drive-contents-graphically/

As I said above, run CHKDSK. For an installed program (IE) to just disappear after a re-install rings alarm bells to me that something is going wrong on your hard drive. CHKDSK may atleast confirm if the hard drive has a problem, it may take some time to run so be patient. To be sure you could also download a diagnostics program from the hard drives manufacturers site. Your memory may also be worth a check.

If that proves fruitless please answer these it may help us help you.

After you tried to install all versions of IE did you delete them?
Have you got any partitions on the drive?
Did you format the drive before re-installing the OS (the 2nd time)?
Is the only problem IE or is anything else showing any kind of malfunction?
Is this a brand new hard drive or second hand?
Why was the hard drive replaced, a previous problem or just an upgrade?
Is the OS disc genuine or a copy?

 

I will have to put this on hold until I get the computer back.
The owner needed to use it for a few days.
As soon as I have access to it I will pick up where we left.
Pete, when I typed in iexplore.exe , I may have not done that correctly, I clicked on IE setup

Mark, this was a brand new hard drive provided by Dell.
The computer had been sent to Dell for repair,it had a MB,Bottom Chassis replaced but also needed a hard drive.
There were no hard drives at the service so it was mailed to us to install.
I installed the new hard drive with some help from a Dell Tech.

 

Continued for Mark

I did not reformat the hard drive before installing the OS for the second time.
Every thing is working fine.
Hope I have answered all questions clearly.
I very much appreciate everybody's help
Dee

 

From what you have said about the recent repair, was this laptop damaged by a heavy impact or heat.

 

It hsd been having problems for some and beem taken to a local shop and been repaired through trial and error . This was becoming very expensive, so it was shipped back to Dell for diagnosis and repair.
As far as I know there was no heavy impact.
I was concerned about heat, don't really this was an issue.
She holds it on a pillow in her lap and this concerned me, I did buy her a cooling pad to use.

 

I asked about heavy impact as you said the chassis had been replaced so I assumed it had been smashed.

Heat damage to the motherboard, CPU, etc could be an issue here. Resting the laptop on a pillow would block the ventilation slots, it could have been overheating that fried the hard drive. You have been wise to get a cooling pad. Hope it wasn't too little too late.

As soon as you get the computer back it can be run through a series of tests to try and determine what is going on inside. Start with CHKDSK and we will see how it goes.

 

Will do, let you know, if and when I get it back.
Thanks,
Dee

 

The Internet Explorer issue has been resolved.
It appeared today, when the owner booted up.
Have not done anything to the computer since Sunday so don't know what happened.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Dee

 

Glad to hear the problem is resolved, hope it stays that way.