IE8 stops Firefox from starting

by dratner Jun 9, 2010 9:04PM PDT

I am using WIN7. Even after shutting down IE8, I note iexplore still remains in task manager. I attempt to click on Firefox icon on desktop. Firefox is unresponsive until I delete the iexplore remnant from task manager. Help.

Discussion is locked

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That's strange.

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 10, 2010 5:48AM PDT

I've not heard of that before, Does it only affect Firefox, or does this instance of iexplore.exe that is still running prevent any other applications from running?

What I would do. I would try and find out why IE is not closing down properly, and the experience with IE is that often bad Add-ons, 3rd party toolbars or ActiveX components are the culprit.

Try IE in it's Safe Mode, eg go to the Start bubble > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons), and click.

This IE opens with all 3rd party add-ons disabled. It should still surf the internet, but since many web sites now use additional components to enhance their web pages, many pages won't render properly. However, the test is, close down IE, then try to open Firefox. If that works and if there are no instances of iexplore.exe in the Task Manager, then you can start looking at IE's Add-ons, (IE > Tools > Manage add-ons).

Hope that helps.

Mark

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you are right

by dratner Jun 10, 2010 6:33AM PDT

When I start IE8 without add-ons, it leaves behind no instances of iexplore. When I start IE8 normally, it leaves behind 2 instances of iexplore. That stops Firefox from starting up until they are "ended". I guess I have to strip out the add-ons and slowly add them back to find the offender. I used to be able to run both browsers simultaneously, but maybe that was under Vista, not my clean install WIN7.

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That's a good test.

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 10, 2010 8:36PM PDT

And yes you are right, your task now, should you wish to accept it, ( ) is to eliminate the rogue add-on(s).

I don't think it matters which Operating System you are using. I have both Vista and Win 7 and often have more than one browser type open at the same time. I think it's just unfortunate you picked up a bad add-on.

My first suspicion is a 3rd party toolbar, eg Google, Yahoo, etc. They often cause problems in my experience as they like to 'keep in contact' with the outside world.

Good luck finding it.

Mark

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AVG add-ons

by dratner Jun 10, 2010 10:12PM PDT

Google add-on and Flash add-ons running ok. It appears that the AVG toolbar and "safe-surf" add-ons might have been the offender.

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Ahh yes.

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 11, 2010 3:07AM PDT

There are reports of AVG's Safe-Surf causing problems on a few systems. I don't know if they changed the name, but I used to see problems with AVG's "LinkScanner", add-on for browsers.

It's difficult to remove AVG add-ons apparently without breaking something. The common recommendation is to uninstall AVG then re-install it and watch the install process carefully, to de-select the inclusion of such add-ons.

Mark

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correction

by dratner Jun 11, 2010 4:21AM PDT

It was:
1. AVG Security Toolbar
2. AVG Safe Search
3. AVG Security Toolbar BHO
that I disabled.
Both IE8 and AVG run fine with those items disabled.
BTW, I found another route to IE8 add-on management. It is via: TOOLS, MANAGE ADD-ONS right in IE8

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That's great

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 11, 2010 5:02AM PDT

Good work on finding the offending BHO and other add-ons, and I hope the slimmed down version of IE causes no more problems.

Mark

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