Internet Explorer not working since update

Sundaysaid · May 18, 2009

Help!

After I upgraded to Internet Explorer 8 this morning, everytime the webpage loads, it freezes up and goes to 'not responding'. I can't browse any websites.

I've re-started the computer twice. That didn't work. It's an older one (MS 2002) but I've never had this sort of problem. I don't know how to fix this. Is there a way to go back to Ie 7? I was able to browse the web mere minutes before the update was installed.

ChristineR · May 18, 2009

Well, Windows normally makes an image of itself before it installs major updates, so you should be able to roll back. Try searching your help for instructions on how to do this. It varies depending on what flavor of Windows you're using.

backslashbaby · May 18, 2009

Yes, System Restore is handy at times like this. Are you using XP, or maybe Windows 2000? Let us know if you can't find System Restore... but we'd need to figure out which Windows it is.

Go to the start button and see if you have "Help and Support". You'll see System Restore on the next screen if that's your setup.

If not, let us know

Clair Dickson · May 18, 2009

I'd download another broswer (either Internet Explorer or get Firefox) and SAVE to desktop rather than install.

Then, go to the Control Panel and go to Add/ Remove Programs. In the list of programs installed, you'll find Windows Internet Explorer. Click remove. It may remove your browser completely (which is why you want to make sure you downloaded a browser and saved it for later) OR it may ask you if you want to rollback to a previous version.

Also, run a virus/ malware scanner.

Oh, and check that the Work Offline option isn't checked by accident. (Under the File menu, I think. I have IE7, but mainly use Firefox. Firefox has a spellchecker. That's what won me over...)

Sundaysaid · May 18, 2009

I'm back in business

I did a google search and found how to remove the update. Since the update wasn't listed in the Ad/Remove programs section I did it via command prompt. Great news, all ills have been removed and I'm back to using IE 7.

I'm going to check out Fire Fox. Inertia has caused me to stay rely on Internet Explorer as my sole browser.

Thank you all for your replies and offers of help!

Silver King · May 18, 2009

Sundaysaid said:
...I'm going to check out Fire Fox. Inertia has caused me to stay rely on Internet Explorer as my sole browser...

I was the same way for the longest time before making the switch. When I finally tried Firefox, I could not have been happier with the change. Try it out and see what you think. I'll bet you'll be so pleased that you'll never open IE again.

Matera the Mad · May 18, 2009

I only keep IE around for testing webstuff, and I never install a newer version until I have observed many of these sob stories. New versions of IE on old systems can be deadly. {It helps if you know what version of Windows you have, as opposed to what version of Office, etc....} I have installed steaming-hot fresh versions of Firefox with no problems. So yeah, at least keep a Fox in the garage for when the MS garbage truck breaks down. Once you get used to a few little differences, it is like being a freed slave.

There are always a few stupid websites that work "better" in IE because of bad, bloated, broken code, but they don't matter (and we have a right and a duty to tell them so!).

Silver King · May 18, 2009

One cool thing about Firefox (among many others) is that it contains a spell check feature that works within forums such as AW. (Not sure if the newer versions of IE offer spell check.) That's a handy aspect to have when you can catch typos before submitting posts.

Also, it's a very stable platform, and you'll never be knocked off line because of a browser issue, and certainly never be asked to report a problem ~~to Microsoft~~.

Williebee · May 18, 2009

IE8 is a pretty serious resource pig (like that is new for MS.)

Most of the time I'm in Firefox or Chrome. I'm quickly becoming a Chrome fan. Mostly because, in Chrome, each tab operates independently. Some website locks up? You can close the tab, not the whole browser.

That and the most recent pages visited thumbnails. Cool stuff.

And yeah, when in Mac Land it's all about the Safari.

Sundaysaid · May 18, 2009

Matera the Mad said:
...So yeah, at least keep a Fox in the garage for when the MS garbage truck breaks down. Once you get used to a few little differences, it is like being a freed slave.

There are always a few stupid websites that work "better" in IE because of bad, bloated, broken code, but they don't matter (and we have a right and a duty to tell them so!).

A thread started in panic ends in laughter! I'm definitely going to check out Fire Fox because of the ringing endorsements against Explorer. The spell check feature sounds right up my alley.

And the tidbit about Chrome allowing you to close a frozen tab rather than exiting the browser completely sounds divine. I have that problem on a daily basis.

You all have been amazingly helpful.

Sundaysaid · May 18, 2009

You're looking at the newest Fire Fox user.

Nivarion · May 19, 2009

I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Firefox it great! I used to have the freezy broken IE but I tried Firefox on my uncles computer and went a couple of hours without any problems. Never looked back.

I also love that it keeps tabs on what is going on, so that if your computer freaks and has to be shut down or BSoD's, you don't loose your work.

childeroland · May 19, 2009

Window's browser is lousy. I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked.

Firefox is turning into kind of a hog, though.

Safari's a pretty decent alternative too, as is Chrome.

Has anyone used Opera? How is it?

Matera the Mad · May 19, 2009

I like Opera for some particularly horrible websites. It can sort of melt down a page and make it fit the window handier than anything else. I used it quite a bit before I discovered K-Meleon (Firefox's geeky little brother). It's a very decent browser.

It can be handy to have more than one alternative; when you stumble on a site that works badly in one browser, try another. Also, one can set one browser to use Java and one not to, since Java can be more pain than useful. That's Java, not javascript -- try not to confuse them. Javascript is used on prolly 99% of modern sites. Java is fancy-@55 bloat mostly used for animation or heavy interactive web-apps. (yeah, I don't like it, never did)

Clair Dickson · May 19, 2009

Silver King said:
Also, it's a very stable platform, and you'll never be knocked off line because of a browser issue, and certainly never be asked to report a problem ~~to Microsoft~~.

False. I lock up Firefox once or twice a week. And not even because I go to, um, shady places. I think I actually crash FF more than I used to crash IE. Talent!

But FF has some advantages. And I never upgrade until six months or a year. About by the time the bugs in the initial release are worked out.

Silver King · May 20, 2009

Clair Dickson said:
False. I lock up Firefox once or twice a week. And not even because I go to, um, shady places. I think I actually crash FF more than I used to crash IE. Talent!

I should have said that I've never experienced any major issues with Firefox. Ever. It has worked like a charm for me, and I've been using it for a couple of years now. My operating software (XP Pro) might have something to do with how well that browser performs, though.

Clair Dickson · May 20, 2009

Could be, Silver, except I'm also running XP Pro. =) I'm gonna guess it's because I only shut down my computer every couple days, but that seems kind of weird since I don't do anything more than internet, Word, and transfer files from my flash drive to my computer. But I did that while running IE7 (and IE6) without having the same problems. :Shrug:

Some software, some people, some computers... nothing is always true. Funny things, computers.

Silver King · May 20, 2009

Clair Dickson said:
...'m gonna guess it's because I only shut down my computer every couple days, but that seems kind of weird since I don't do anything more than internet, Word, and transfer files from my flash drive to my computer...

That's very strange, since I use my system for exactly the same reasons, in addition to business software that I run.

A couple of months ago, I upgraded my desktop to a newer model (though I still use XP) and downloaded FF without a hitch, and it continues to run seamlessly. I must be lucky or something.

Have you ever considered removing and reinstalling FF? I'm sure you have but just thought I'd throw that out there as a possible remedy. Also, I've set the browser to accept automatic updates, if that makes any difference.

Clair Dickson · May 20, 2009

Yeah, I've reinstalled FF. It was marginally better with the latest FF update (which I do automatically). Note to self... if FF crashes, when reopening FF, do NOT restore session... heh. Epic fail. And I was fool enough to try it twice.

And I even installed FF while logged in as Admin (I've gotten lazy and often just run as L.User and install with the Run As... command.) Alas, FireFox must be threatened by the number of Borg, I mean Microsoft, programs on my computer.

Funniest thing is that my FF on my U3 smart drive works with less problems... and the U3 is hinky in certain USB ports.

Strange things, computers. Strange things. What works wonderfully on one machine may not on another. =)

euclid · May 21, 2009

Sundaysaid said:
I did a google search and found how to remove the update. Since the update wasn't listed in the Ad/Remove programs section I did it via command prompt. Great news, all ills have been removed and I'm back to using IE 7

Can you tell me where you found the instructions to do this, please? I looked at Google, but just found a lot of complaints from people. I am having problems with IE8 after update.

Thanks.

When I try to edit my signature now (with IE8) it gives me a tiny dialog box called "My signature" but wont let me enter anything into it. I took a screen dump of the offending dialog box and saved it as a word doc if anybody's interested.

euclid · May 21, 2009

Clair Dickson said:
I'd download another broswer (either Internet Explorer or get Firefox) and SAVE to desktop rather than install.

Then, go to the Control Panel and go to Add/ Remove Programs. In the list of programs installed, you'll find Windows Internet Explorer. Click remove. It may remove your browser completely (which is why you want to make sure you downloaded a browser and saved it for later) OR it may ask you if you want to rollback to a previous version.

I went straight into the control panel to add/remove programs and IE was not on the list...

euclid · May 21, 2009

Hey! Everything seems to be working okay this afternoon. I presume that's because I had tuna for lunch. I mean, what else could explain it?

Mr.H. · Jun 3, 2009

I gotta start eating more tuna. I hate IE!!!

You know that kind of slow-burning, ever-present anger that festers and grows while you try again and again to fix something that simply defies you? And you know that feeling of looking at the clock and realizing several hours of your life have passed and you won't get them back, and you are no closer to a fix than you were before you started? Yeah, that feeling. If you don't know that feeling, toy around a bit with IE.

Seriously, does anyone really like this thing? Thank GOD for Firefox. Otherwise, I'd give up on the Internet entirely.

Matera the Mad · Jun 3, 2009

And I thank Sourceforge for K-Meleon

Sundaysaid · Jun 3, 2009

I haven't checked this thread in a while so sorry for the delayed response. In case your tuna fix is temporary, here's the site for removing IE8: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700

IE8 didn't appear on my 'add/remove programs' list but if you scroll down, there are alternative directions on how to remove the IE8 update in that case.

euclid said:
Can you tell me where you found the instructions to do this, please? I looked at Google, but just found a lot of complaints from people. I am having problems with IE8 after update.

Thanks.

When I try to edit my signature now (with IE8) it gives me a tiny dialog box called "My signature" but wont let me enter anything into it. I took a screen dump of the offending dialog box and saved it as a word doc if anybody's interested.

Internet Explorer not working since update

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What happened?

~~~~*~~~~

A dark core to every cloud

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Megalops Erectus

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Megalops Erectus

Capeless, wingless, & yet I fly.

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Brony level >9000

What happened to my LIFE?!

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

A dark core to every cloud

Megalops Erectus

A dark core to every cloud

Megalops Erectus

A dark core to every cloud

Where did I put me specs?

Where did I put me specs?

Where did I put me specs?

SO many books!!

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

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