This issue may have been addressed previously and a solution posted -- if so please direct me to it and I can save everyone's time.
Here is the basic problem: I am experiencing screen freezes on my VISTA system specifically when trying to access the internet (using IE browser - version #7) when starting from the desktop. Many times all I will get is the spinning blue circle. My work around is to re-boot the system and repeat the procedure. 99 times out of 100 this works and I am able to proceed without further problem.
My question ---- is this a VISTA setting problem OR an Internet Explorer problem? If so, how would you proceed to troubleshoot and/or repair.
Thank you for your assistance.
Hey Soldat - This sounds, to me, like an add-on for Internet Explorer may be causing problems. The best way to trouble shoot would be to try running Internet Explorer in 'No-Add-ons Mode'. To do that:
Click on[b:2jyhkp7j] Start[/b:2jyhkp7j] and then type [b:2jyhkp7j]Internet Explorer[/b:2jyhkp7j] into the [b:2jyhkp7j]Start Search[/b:2jyhkp7j] box. When the list of options appear, click on (select) [b:2jyhkp7j]Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons)[/b:2jyhkp7j]...Now IE will open without any add-ons, toolbars or plug-ins. N.B. You will have to do this several times over in order to ascertain that IE is consistently starting up okay.
If the problem goes away then you will know it was being caused by one of the add-ons, etc. You can then run IE in normal mode and try disabling add-ons, one at a time, until you find the culprit: Open Internet Explorer, click on 'ToolsManage Add-onsEnable or Disable Add-ons'. There are several options to choose from, selectable from the "Show" box. Click on a name and then click on 'Disable'. Simply click on the name and then on 'Enable' to reverse the procedure.
Here is a a link to a Microsoft guide for troubleshooting IE7: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936215
cheers.....JIM
Sounds like a good place to start. Here is some additional info on the situation that happened this evening. Started up and got to desktop. I have Blackberry Desktop Mgr. so it comes on automatically and I minimize it. Today I could not get it to close and the screen froze as in the described manner. I could not get Alt + F4 to help either. Could not get task Mgr to come up either. Had to force a shutdown and restart. All was well afterwards but this is becoming more of a problem as time goes on.
Okay Soldat....The troubleshooting steps I suggested are obviously directed at IE only. If the freezing symptom continues to spread, including other apps, we shall have to adopt a different approach.
I believe you have been using Vista for quite some time? Is this a very recent event (the freezing)? If so, reflect back on any changes which may have been made around the time this first started. Any new hardware (particularly mouse)? Any new software installed? Try reverting back to the way things were before this issue began...that is, if you can remember!
If you're anything like me...that could be a struggle
Keep in touch,
JIM
Oz,
The closest thing I can remember which involved a major change was the replacement of my wireless keyboard and mouse with ones which connect by USB ports. As you recall, my previous problem was (apparently) the wireless KB & mouse interferred with the process of switching users --- that would freeze up and put me into a total stop. I put that problem on the postings here, and the only solution to that was a replacement of the wireless tools with those that use the USB connection. Sounds like I might have fixed one problem but created another?????????????????
Oz,
Just a second thought ....... I am still running IE version #7 ----- do you think it would fix anything by moving up to IE ver.8 ??????????????????????
Hey Soldat - First up; I would discount the change of mouse and keyboard....reports suggest it is some of the 'wireless' varieties which cause these sorts of problems, you should be okay with the USB driven devices. Although it would not be entirely out of the question I have never come across any issues caused specifically by USB KB and mouse.
On IE8; I did read on one help forum were someone had problems with IE7 and after installing IE8 all was okay BUT....at this stage I would not recommend installing IE8, it is only just out of beta and history dictates there will be some issues (perhaps serious) in the early days which will be fixed by updates. It may be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire. It's up to you though, of course.
Did you try running IE in 'no add-on' mode? If so, what was the result?? If not, why not???
cheers...JIM
Oz,
Update on my lack of attention to detail............ I am running IE 8 ------- forgot that I am in the auto download mode so it installed it and so far no problems that I can attribute to IE 8. I am using the IE bulliten you recommended and working my way through the troubleshooting steps for the KB article on "optimizing IE". So far I have run the cache clean up and reset my security settings to the default mode. I have looked at the add ons currently running and all I see are:
Shockwave Flash Obj
Adobe PDF link helper
Google TB Notify BHO
Windows Live TB
Win Live Sign In helper
Win Live TB helper
From Sun Micro Systems --- SSV helper class and Sun Java console
Anything here seem unusual????
Hey Soldat - No, nothing out of the ordinary there. That doesn't [i:ttkc8b80]necessarily[/i:ttkc8b80] mean all is well though, a corrupt install of a perfectly normal add-on can cause problems. Still, if everything is running okay I think it would be safe to discount those items in your list.
Did you check the 'Downloaded ActiveX Controls'?
Seeing as you are now already using IE8, I would suggest just running it for a few days and seeing if the freezing thingee stops. Who knows, your IE7 may have been corrupted and by installing IE8 you may have just fixed the problem. Have you experienced any freezes to date with IE8?
cheers....JIM
Oz,
Will do. I'll run IE 8 for a while and let you know.
Okay Soldat....sounds like a good plan!!
Hopefully your next post will say.....All is well
cheers...JIM
Oz,
Sadly all is not well. Here is the latest occurance which happened within the last hour. I was checking mail and my mail program is MS Outlook. I had just read one message and deleted it. As it was deleted, I clicked on another to open it and the screen froze. Message bar at the top said "Out look not responding". I tried Alt+F4, Cont + Alt +del, anything but could not break out of the blue ciricle loop. Had to force a shut down and restart. Went back to mail - went through eveything with no problems and then moved on to write this update. I am not sure this is connected to the base problem but the screen freeze and lock up is the same as in other programs where it has happened such as IE and on the net. Based on the add ons you have seen I currently run, should I go through the disabling process of each of those?
Thanks for the input.
Hey Soldat - The Outlook freeze could have just been a one off, but I seriously doubt it.....the fact that ctrl+alt+del is not responding suggests something more sinister.
Yes, go ahead and try disabling the add-ons...in the meantime I shall refer your problem to wiser heads and see if they have possible solutions. Stand by!!!
cheers.....JIM
wow. your computer just doesn't like you.
Have you attempted a different browser to see if it locks up your computer? Windows 95 had a problem with the IP Stack corrupting. I haven't seen that error in a long time, but it would only rear its head using network connections (dial up back then you know).
I would try a different browser, to see if the problem occurs there. I would also try safe mode with networking, see if the problem occurs there. based on your problems with your keyboard/mouse, I'm starting to wonder if your motherboard may be having issues. But let's try this first.
Is your NIC on board or is it a separate card? (Network card)
--zig
Not to step on any toes...
Type event viewer in the Start Menu and open it. Have a look under the Windows Logs tree on the left. Look for errors in Application and System near the times you are experiencing these problems. It is probably the same issue each time, so look for duplicate problems (they will have a red X).
Just my 2 bits worth.
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