Netscape as my default browser

Hi
Back again! I recently downloaded a newer version of Internet Explorer. Since then everytime I click on a link in Outlook Express it takes to explorer instead of Netscape. Very frustrating!!! I check in the setting in the box that says for Explorer to check if it is the default browser but it doesn't help. Any way to make netscape my default browser instead of Internet Explorer??
Thanks for any help

 

Hi Rhody1,

Go to Edit | Preferences | Advanced | System
Under Protocols
Enable: http: and https:
Under File Types
Enable: HTML

Go to Edit | Preferences | Navigator
Click on the "Set Default Browser" button

Close Netscape

Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options
Click on the Programs Tab
Disable: Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser

HTH,

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

I don't see any of those things that you mentioned. Should have told you but I'm using Netscape 4.78. I did have 7 for a while but dont like the java thing in it and it was acting jerky so I went back to 4.78. I should have told you that in the original letter.

 

Hi Rhody1,

No problem, take a look at the The Default Browser, Once and For All page on my Solutions site.

If you continue to have problems, post back and let us know.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona
I printed out your page and did everything on it. It didn't work. I even uninstalled Netscape and put it back in with a different profile name and still didnt work. Whenever I get a link to go on in an email Internet Explorer still opens. Is there help for me or should I throw this sucker out the window?????????

 

Hi Rhody1,

The Default browser is the one set up to handle 'URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol'. Netscape looks specifically at the Application entry in the DDE section of the File Types dialog. What application does your File Type list for the handler? To determine this:
Open Windows Explorer
Click on the "View" tab
Click on "Folder Options "
Click on the "File Types" tab

Take a look at this Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\HTTP\Shell\Open\ddeexec\Application

Netscape should be the application listed. What do you show?

Sometimes it's necessary to make I.E. the default first. Did you try doing it that way?

Let us know...

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

Under Http URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol it says (believe it or not) Netscape. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\HTTP\Shell\
Open\ddeexec\Application
it says Under name, default and then under data it says Nsshell. Dont know if that helps any but thats what I have. Should I put Netscape in there? If yes, how??

 

Hi Rhody1,

No, let's don't muck around in the Registry for now. How about your File Types, what did you find there?

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

Under HTTL application it says MSHTA. Does that mean anything? I have lots of stuff there but I don't know which one is for my browser, other than the ones I told you about.

 

Hi Rhody1,

Do you mean HTTP or HTML? Where are you seeing HTTL? I don't know what that is....
Hydraulic Torpedo Tube Launcher?
Just kidding!

O.K., let's go over a few details, as you said you did everything on the guidelines page for making NS your default browser:

Did you add this line to your prefs.js file, and is it there now:
user_pref( "browser.wfe.ignore_def_check ", true);

Is there a checkmark in the Internet Options|Programs setting:
"Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser "?

Tell me what you see when you :

Open Windows Explorer
Click on the "View" tab
Click on "Folder Options "
Click on the "File Types" tab

What application handles:
URL:Hypertext Transfer Protocol

If you don't use Outlook Express for Mail, then can you remove the Mail Account? I don't have Outlook Express, so have no way to check, but I'm sure there must be an option to do so.

You should be able to make Netscape Communicator your default browser, and I can imagine that you are quite frustrated by now.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

It said HTML but i don't think that has anything to do with it. Dont know why I even told you about that!! Under Hypertext Transfer Protocol
it says Netscape and it looks like there are two of them in there to. Yes I have a check in the box that says Internet Explorer should check.
As for that line user_pref( "browser.wfe.ignore_def_check ", true); I put it in and saved it and when I went back it was gone! I did it twice and it doesnt stay there. (computer is getting closer and closer to the open window!)

 

Hi Rhody1,

O.K., hang in there with me, as we are going to get you straightened out!

Tell me exactly which two it lists

O.K., just leave it for now, as I have a plan....

Netscape must be closed, when you are editing the prefs.js file. If the script didn't save, that usually indicates the edit was done with Netscape open. Try it again, and if it doesn't work, then keep trying. It has been forever since I used 4.79, but I seem to recall that it does take several tries to get that line to stick.

I did note that the script ends with true That should be changed to false to get Netscape to ask if you want to make it your default browser. If you didn't change it to false as listed below, then therein lies your problem.
user_pref( "browser.wfe.ignore_def_check ", false);

Also, check this Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail
Does the Default Key point to Netscape Messenger ?

Lemmeno,

Ramona

 

Yes Ramona
there are two and one says Under Hypertext Transfer Protocol and one says Under Hypertext Transfer Protocol with Privacy. I went back and put in the line in prefs and it took 3 times but it stayed. Bad news is Explorer opened up again instead of Netscape. As for the last thing, it says default and outlook is my default mail program. I looked in outlook and see no place to change my browser. Does this help??

 

Rhody1,

Sometimes it's necessary to make I.E. the default first, so let's take that approach:

With Netscape and IE both closed:

Check your prefs.js file again, to ensure it still has the script with the "FALSE" at the end.

Now open I.E
Answer YES when it asks if it is to be the default.
Close IE

Open Netscape
Netscape should prompt for being the default.
Answer YES

UNcheck the I.E. box in Control Panel, so it doesn't ask again.

See if you have success.

Ramona

 

Ok your not going to believe this. I checked and yes the script was still there. I went to explorer and it never asked me about being the default browser. I closed it and went to Netscape and it never asked if about being the default browser either. I did everything in the order you said, I even printed it out to make sure, and neither asked me about being the default. Should I give up?????

 

Hi Rhody1,

Bummer! Look at this Registry Key and tell me if Netscape is listed as Default:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail

If not:

Right Click "Default "
Select "Modify "
In the "Value Data:"
Type "Netscape "

CAUTION: first back up the key before editing. If you don't know how, then do nothing!!!

You had asked if there was a setting within IE/OE. I did have that information in my last post, but deleted it, as I didn't want to confuse the issue. Here are those settings, and you can check to see if they are correct:

In Outlook Express, check Tools, Options, General and UNcheck the box in order to NOT make IE the default mail program.

In Internet Explorer, check View, Options, Programs, and check that NETSCAPE is selected for the Email Program.

I also found this MSKB Article:
Outlook Express Opens a Hyperlink in the Incorrect Browser

Read all the way to the end of the Article. We may be beating our heads against a brick wall.....

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona
I did look at the registry where you told me and it does say Netscape for my mail. I also looked at that article too. It's weird because before I re-formated my computer I had all the same software and versions that I have now and Netscape always opened when I clicked on a link in Outlook. Oh well, I guess I can live with it for now. Either that or I'll just copy and paste the link in Netscape. Thank you for all your help tho, I do appreciate it.

Rhody