Second Window does not load in IE6

Ever since I installed the latest updates on my family's computer downstairs, our optical mouse died, and second windows do not load. I doubt my mouse has anything to do with this, but most frustrating of all are the windows.

I have Windows XP Pro SP2. In IE6 if I click any hyperlink that is targeted to load within the same window, it loads fine. However, if the hyperlink is slated to open up in a second window, the second window opens, but absolutely nothing loads. Just an hour glass with a blank page and not even a URL displaying in the address bar.

It does this for every hyperlink that loads in a second window--even hyperlinks in Outlook and Outlook Express.

What have I done to get around this? I have to either copy the URL and paste it within a current window and hit "Enter" or click "Go ", or I have to right-click the hyperlink, click properties, copy the url, and then paste it in a new IE window. Then it loads fine. (My parents arn't happy that they have to go through all these steps, and are relying on me to fix this problem for them).

I have cleaned up my computer, deleted all cookies, temporary internet files, temporary files, uninstalled and reinstalled IE6, ran antispyware, ran a reg cleaner, restarted, and still NOTHING! I have also found nothing at Microsoft's support site. The problems they list are similar, but not like this--for example, they'll say "a second window does not load, but instead loads it in the current window ". A second window DOES open for me, but just loads nothing.

Your help would be greatly apprecated. Thanks.

 

I think one of the new updates involved scripting which is needed for the link to open in a new window. Try the steps in the link below to see if it helps.

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers/27.html

This is the update that may be causing the problem. It changes the settings in the Security and Advanced sections of Internet Options. You may what to try resetting your zones under the Security tab to default to see if this is the cause.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-023

 

Lysimachus--I presume you are now using a functioning mouse, so that that is not the problem.
Wild guess. IE Tools|Internet Options|Advanced tab. Under Browsing, scroll to "Reuse windows for launching shortcuts ". Check or Uncheck the box to the left. In other words change it from whatever the present setting is. Apply|OK.