PART I

1. Please read the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) article, "Web Page Displays an Image As a Red X or Not at All (Q283807)."

2. The article [Q843018] explains that when you open an e-mail message in Microsoft Outlook Express on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer, the areas ("Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail" option is turned on) in an e-mail message that are supposed to contain images are blocked, displays a red X placeholder, and you are prompted with the following just above the content window of the e-mail message:

? Some pictures have been blocked to help prevent the sender from identifying your computer. Click here to download pictures.

3. The article [Q883613] explains that by default, the Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail check box is selected in Outlook Express to block external HTML-based content after you install Service Pack 2 (SP2) but that it is configurable, that these items are replaced with an icon that displays a red X, and that you can view the external content by clicking the "InfoBar" (click to see a screen shot) near the top of the message.

4. The article [Q878461] describes the fix and explains that when you open an HTML file in a program after installing Service Pack 2 (SP2) that one of the following issues may occur and can be caused by the new enhanced default security feature set in the system registry to protect against computer viruses:

? You receive a script error message when you view the HTML file in a Windows-based program.

? You receive an ActiveX error message when you view the HTML file in a Windows-based program.

? When you open the HTML file in Microsoft Internet Explorer, pictures do not appear the way that you expect.

5. Supplemental reading: "Cannot View Some PNG Images (Q822071)."

PART II:

1. After installing SP2 and using Outlook Express, you'll note that automatic downloads of images and other external content in HTML e-mail has been blocked (protects you from viewing offensive and possibly illegal images while simultaneously preventing spammers from verifying your e-mail address) because the InfoBar will appear above the message body telling you so. To download the blocked content, all you have to do is click on the InfoBar. Should you wish to turn this feature off, you can do so easily in the Security Options ("Block images and other content in HTML e-mail" - Image).

2. The Internet Explorer Information Bar (SP2) replaces many of the common dialog boxes that prompted users for information in previous versions and provides a prominent area for displaying information that users may want to view or act upon. Examples of dialog boxes that have been replaced include blocked ActiveX installs, pop-ups, downloads and active content. Turning off the Information Bar for the Pop-up Blocker causes it to return to notifying users with the status bar icon. All the same menu items are accessible from this status bar icon if the bar is disabled for pop-ups. When the bar appears, the Windows trust icon appears in place of the Error on page notification on the status bar.

Note: There is a custom security zone setting for the bar that enables users to change the settings by security zone. Users can choose to go back to the behavior of XP SP1 and get a less prominent notification for file and code downloads.

a. "Block Pop-up Windows with Internet Explorer."

b. "How to configure the Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer (Q843016)."

c. "Description of the Internet Explorer Information Bar in Windows XP SP2 (Q843017)."

d. "How to configure Internet Explorer automatic download prompts on your Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer (Q883255)."