Urgent help needed...

[Shadow_Link]

Hey guys, thought this was the only place I could get decent help.

Until yesterday, my web browser (IE6) was working normally, but for some unknown reason, it decided to stop 'working'.

By that, I mean I can't seem to open up any windows by double clicking on the icon, and when on MSN messnger, I can't open up the inbox window from the shortcut...

The only way I've managed to actually browse the net is by selecting My Computer and typing in the URL from there....

I didn't download anything recently, didn't open any attachments, just did what I normally do on the internet. I have Windows 98 SE...

Sometimes the windows do appear (if I selected open a new window)..... after literally 5 minutes!

I've tried repairing IE6, but it hasnt worked... I've tried installing it again, but nothings changed... I even checked for viruses, but nothing came up...

I think it should also mention my computers been freezing a bit lately (I got a system dangerously low on resources error message once)...

Any ideas about what I can do to fix this... Will i have to reinstall Windows 98? :(

[Jonbo298]

hmm, bring up the Task Manager (or however it was called on Windows 98) and see if there is a program running that is using a ton of memory/resources.

Also, run a spyware check with Spybot and Ad-Aware to make sure there isnt something in there.

[MuGen]

Well is IE opening when you go into START > RUN > c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe

If not theres a huge problem there.
If yes...then theres a problem with your shortcuts. Something might have been changed like a folder name so icons won't load the right program or don't load it at all.

Solution:
Uninstall IE, before installing it again.
After Uninstall, Install IE

See what happens.... but usually if you need to repair something it helps to remove any instances of it, before installing again.

[Shadow_Link]

Thanks for the reply guys, gonna try the tips now, but just a note... I can't uninstall IE :confused:... When I goto add/remove programs, it only lets me add new components or repair.... So all I could do was just download it again.


Edit..: I jsut tried to run IE from Start ---> Run etc etc... And it took quite a while for IE to appear....

Edit 2: Erm, I just tried to open control panel (in an attempt to find task manager.... and it isn't opening :confused:)

[Happydude]

ok...here are 2 things you absolutly NEED to do urgently!

1) GET WINDOWS XP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111!!ONE!!!

and

2) www.mozilla.org download firefox.



if you don't feel like doing all that work, you could always re-install windows (it doesn't reformat your HD, it just uninstalls windows and intalls it)

i work with Win98 at work, and it pisses me off...esspecially the loading times.

i strongly recommend upgrading to WinXP

[Shadow_Link]

You're joking? The only reason I havent reinstalled Win 98 is because I thought I'd lose everything on my hard drive!!!!

I can't get XP because my system doesnt meet the required specs, LOL.... I have 128 MB SD RAM :(

Edit: Oh, and Control panel just popped up, LOL

[Jonbo298]

Try hitting ctrl+alt+delete to bring up Task Mananger and see if anything is running that shouldnt be.

[Blackmane]

I have a feeling your machine is being bogged down with some sort of spyware. That is why it is extremely slow to open. Check your task manager for weird file names that look obviously spyware-ish.

But, the easiest solution is to dl and use a different browser (Mozilla). My brother's computer is doing the same thing and his IE is slowing down so badly. So, I dled Firefox and that works so much better. He just leaves IE alone because it still isn't working.

[Shadow_Link]

Yeah, there seemed to be a LOAD of crap on it...

Where can I download a good spyware/popup ad remover?

[Happydude]

my dad's 4-year old laptop has XP on it...and it only has like 64MB ram...i think...WinXP doesn't actually need a good system to run it. i suggest you try it if you're going to re-install windows, might as well try installing XP first, and if it doesnt work out, you can un-install it and install 98.

[Blackmane]

Noadware i think is a good one.

Seriously, once you get the spyware off, DON"T USE IE! That lets in so much stuff. Get Firefox.

[Shadow_Link]

Cool, I'll definately try that!

It's time I got a new PC anyway... My current one:

AMD Athlon 600Mhz, 128 MB RAM, 27GB, 32 MB TNT2 Nvidia graphics card :(

[Happydude]

heh...you won't have any trouble running WinXP


also - 'SpyBot - Search & Destroy' is a good program for spyware/adware

[Jonbo298]

As I said above :p Ad-Aware SE and Spybot are 2 good programs

[Teuthida]

Cool, I'll definately try that!

It's time I got a new PC anyway... My current one:

AMD Athlon 600Mhz, 128 MB RAM, 27GB, 32 MB TNT2 Nvidia graphics card :(

My old PC is Intel III 498Mhz, 128MB RAM, 8GB, Rage graphics card and it's still kicking...though kicking very slowly. I had to resurrect it countless times. But your comp can't run XP? Mine is worse that yours and it had XP Pro since it was released. It gave new life to my dusty piece o' crap.

[MuGen]

IE works fine for me, and the only reason it lets in Adware and Spyware is because you have programs that run the ads. It doesn't work with Firefox because it uses a different algorithm then IE.

I used to get popups all the time from programs like WeatherBug/PrecisionTime/Kazaa but once all that is removed, or you pay for them.... IE runs fine with no popups or nothing, at least for me I got NOTHING popping up on IE... and right now I still believe IE is the best browser to use until Mozilla releases a much better Firefox because it still has bugs.

Maybe when they release Firefox 2.0

[Shadow_Link]

Yay... I ran Spybot - Search and Destroy and it seems to have cleared some crap... IE now opens, and without much delay either! WOOOO!

Thanks guys! + rep for you all... Or do we handle out doubloons now? :confused:

[GameMaster]

Don't forget to run Ad-Aware SE.

I'd like doubloons if you don't mind.

[Jonbo298]

I'll take some but dont waste yourself to nothing :)