Internet Explorer 6 not working

My Internet Explorer launches, but just provides an error message to the effect that "This page cannot be displayed. "

I am able to use AOL's browser, but anything that depends on IE 6 does not function (e.g. Windows Update, Norton A/V Live Update, and most anything that uses Java.

I went to Add/Remove programs with the intention of running the "Repair" feature, but the Internet Explorer was not listed in the programs! It shows in the Windows Explorer, but not in the Control Panel/Add/Remove Programs.

Does anyone know if there might be another way to access the Repair feature for this browser?

Also, without being able to access the program in the Add/Remove Programs list, I've had no luck trying to uninstall the browser and install a new copy.

I'm using Windows XP Home, SP1 and IE 6 SP1, on a Sony Vaio laptop. 900MHz AMD Processor with 256 MB of Ram. This laptop is part of my wireless home network, which includes 2 desktop PCs. No other significant problems with the system.

Is it possible to uninstall IE 6 and reinstall it, or is it integrated into the operating system?

If possible, I would like to fix this without having to run the recovery CD, as it takes so long and would be a major hassle.

I would sure appreciate any help anyone might be able to provide.

Thanks,
CW

cwp501@aol.com

 

Nope, with XP you cannot remove IE to reload. The OS won't function with it gone.

This page cannot be displayed most likely means that IE can't find the page in question but that is not usually an indication that IE is broken. Just a matter of a bad setting in there somewhere.

A quick test and post your results. Open IE and in the address bar put http://207.46.244.188/ and see if that takes you to Microsoft.com.

 

CDubya--FWIW, the AOL browser is IE, just with a shell overlay.
When you went to Add/Remove, did you look under Microsoft? That is where IE is listed.
The IE Repair Tool is more complicated in WinXP. However there is a somewhat simpler one at this site, in addition to the official MS procedure
http://help.att.net/docs/howto/othe...ustomercontent=customer_browser&platform=none
If your problem were only "Page Cannot Be Displayed ", then here are some fixes
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q241344
Note the last one about firewalls.
However, you seem to have figured out the problem has to do with Java settings. How did you figure that to be the problem? Have you enabled Java in IE Tools|Internet Options|Advanced tab|under Microsoft VM? Do you have the latest version?
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/10/18/10-18-20.shtml
Windows Update also requires Windows Script Host to be installed.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/downloads/list/webdev.asp

 

Thanks, Newt....

I tried the quick test you mentioned, however when I put the URL (http://207.46.244.188/) in IE 6, I received the same error message: "Page Cannot Be Displayed. "

I do appreciate the suggestion, however. Also, thanks for the info re: the inability to uninstall the browser from Windows XP.

CW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WelshJim,

I'm looking at the links you sent now, and will be working on the browser this evening.

With regard to the Java situation, It's not that I have determined that the problem is CAUSED by the Java settings, it's just that ANY program that USES Java will not function properly, either. The page stalls with the Java icon in the top left corner. It's similar to what happens when I attempt to update my Antivirus definitions using LIVEUPDATE (Norton). The program tries to open, then displays a message that it was unable to connect to the servers. I am currently updating the definitions by downloading direct from Symantec's web site, which is working fine.

Because of these two examples, I have just ASSUMED the problem was related to IE 6, as none of these programs had any trouble connecting before the IE 6 stopped working properly.

And, yes, I did look under "Microsoft" in the add/remove programs list in the Control Panel. It's just not listed at all.

Very Strange.

I will keep you posted once I have had time to read from the links you sent. Meanwhile, if ANYONE should have any other ideas, I would sure appreciate the help.

WelshJim, I thank you, too, for taking the time to help me out with this. It is very aggravating!

CW

 

CDubya--

Are you sure that is a java icon and not an ActiveX icon? ActiveX icon is a white square with three geometric figure in red, blue and green. If that is the case, then perhaps your security settings (IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Settings) for ActiveX are too high (like Disable). Or try putting Windows Update into your Trusted Sites and see if that makes a difference.

 

<<< Are you sure that is a java icon and not an ActiveX icon? >>>

Hi Jim,

Yes, I'm positive it's a Java icon. I did, however, read about placing the Windows Update URL in the Trusted Sites, and did so last night. I also read with interest the article posted about the success a member had by downloading the patch for the Security Update Q832894, which appears in the programs listed in the Add/Remove list in the Control Panel of my computer.

After reading Microsoft's knowledge base, I realized that I was experiencing the problem reported by others who had downloaded that update. I then tried to UNINSTALL the Q832894 from the Add/Remove list, but received this error message: "THERE WAS AN ERROR WHILE TRYING TO UNINSTALL THIS PATCH. "

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid my IE 6 is fried. It's very strange, however, as I am still able to access sites with the AOL browser. In fact, the ONLY way I am able to access Microsoft's WINDOWS UPDATE site is by using the browser in AOL. It operates perfectly from that browser, allowing me to get the updates that I need. However, when I try to click on the Windows Update icon or type the URL in the IE 6 browser, I get the same "THE PAGE CANNOT BE DISPLAYED" message.

The only other symptom I can think of that might shed some light on my problem is that there are TWO secure sites I can no longer access - even with the AOL browser. These sites were accessible before the IE 6 problem. However, ALL of the other secure sites (bank, etc.) ARE accessible using the AOL browser, but NOT with the IE 6 browser!

This is about to drive me CRAZY!

Thanks for your help!

CW

 

<<Have you seen this re. Q832894 - note mention of SSL sites>>

Thanks Pete.....

Actually I did see this last night. Downloaded the patch but when I tried to install it I received an error message. I don't recall the exact wording, but it basically said it could not locate the proper file to enable it to install the patch.

The site where I found this information indicated it was for 64 bit systems. Frankly, I'm not certain about Windows XP SP1, but the information about the Internet Explorer 6 from HELP>ABOUT shows IT to be 128 bit.

It was late and I was very tired, and in my sleepy state I came to the conclusion that the error was caused because of the difference between the 64 bit and 128 bit system.

However, this morning I started looking at it again, and was not able to find a 128 bit SYSTEM, so I am now assuming that the 64 bit is referring to the Windows Operating System and NOT the browser. Am I correct or just "shadow-boxing" here?

As always, I thank you for taking the time to post ANYTHING that might be of help.

I've begun the process of backing up important files (preparing for the worst) in the event that it will be necessary to run my recovery disk. I'm sure that would help the performance of my computer in other ways, too, but since I bought this laptop before the Service Pack came out, it will mean loading the SP (which I do have on CD) and all of the other updates since that came out, IN ADDITION to all of my other programs (which will require updates and upgrades if I have to start all over again).

I guess I'm at the point now that I am just sort of whining! ;-)

However, since the Internet Explorer cannot reach ANY site (secure or not) and the AOL browser can reach ALL sites (except two secure ones), I keep thinking there just HAS to be some setting that is amiss, or something like that.

I've run the recovery disks on my desktop units a few times in the past (and for other people often), but it seems that no matter how careful I am backing up files and data, there always seems to be SOME program that either gets overlooked, lost or corrupted.

So, if there is any way possible, I would sure rather not go that route.

Thanks again for your help. I will keep reading and tweaking and hopefully that (and the help of others here) hopefully this problem can be diagnosed and repaired.

CW

 

>>Have you been able to use IE independently of AOL in the past?>>

Yep. For years with no difficulty at all. It's really weird.

By the way, you hit the confusion right on the head about the 64 bit vs. 128 bit. It was pretty late and my brain hadn't been defragged in quite awhile! lol!!

Thanks again for your help. I'm still working to identify the problem.

Hmmm.... I wonder if I were to install a copy of IE 6 OVER the one that is already there (but not working) if it would crash my system or if it might help?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
CW

 

Might want to consider trying a Winsock fix. If that works, download, update and run Spybot and Ad-aware and remove all they find. Also run CWShredder.

 

You might try using Security Update for IE 6.0 SP1 " Download the Q831167.exe (32-bit) package now." to solve your problem.
Refer to Knowledge Base Article 831167