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Question

Internet Explorer 8 not installing correctly

Jan 9, 2014 1:56AM PST

Hi--I am running Windows XP SP3 and trying to get Internet Explorer 8 to work. It seems to be installed, but not properly. When I click on the icon in the start menu or the .exe file in the Programs folder, nothing happens, not even an error dialog box.

IE is listed in the Add/Remove programs list as well as under "Windows Components" list. I think what happened is that I uninstalled some programs like IE, Windows Messenger and such because my computer was running slow. When I tried downloading and re-installing IE, it doesn't seem to be working. This was a while ago so I don't think I can do a System Restore. I must have stupidly removed something I shouldn't have.

I had this issue before and I remember something about some other program like Windows Messenger or MSN Explorer needing to be installed for IE to work. I got Messenger installed again but can't seem to get MSN Explorer to work.

I tried to do some research. I'm not too technically proficient, but I can do some things with guidance. I was looking at these suggestions
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281679
and did the "run" for the following files as suggested
urlmon.dll
Shdocvw.dll
Actxprxy.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Mshtml.dll
Browseui.dll
Shell32.dll

All gave me an OK except "Mshtml.dll," which said was loaded, but could not find the DllRegisterServer entry point. Might this be my problem, and if so, how do I fix it?
Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Just for clarity.
Jan 9, 2014 2:00AM PST

Are you saying that the prior discussions about this dll at https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=which+said+was+loaded+but+could+not+find+the+DllRegisterServer+entry+point&as_epq=Mshtml+dll did not result in a fix?

If so, my bet is the OS has suffered a fatal blow so reload and start new while you can. The end is near and you might not be able to do this restart in a few months.

Once it's all redone you can then backup a good full setup with ToDo backup or Clonezilla so you can restore the OS and carry on.
Bob

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Re: Clarification Request
Jan 9, 2014 3:21AM PST

Bob,
Thanks for your response. I'm somewhat discouraged by "the end is near" though!
The suggestions say to unregister the .dll file and then re-register it. The problem is that when I try to unregister it, the same error comes up (the file is loaded but the entry point was not found). The .dll file is in the System32 folder, so I don't understand the problem (I have little familiarity with .dll files, and no idea what an entry point is).

The next step seems to be to run System Scan which can take a while. I'll try that later on if there is no other fix and see what happens. I really hope I don't have to do a clean install.

If the System Scan repair doesn't work, you're saying my only option is to do a clean install of XP? I haven't done that before, and I would need to figure out exactly what to do to make sure everything was backed up properly. If I had to do that, I might as well move on to Windows 7.
- Andrew

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Sadly yes.
Jan 9, 2014 3:24AM PST

The "entry point" might refer to a registry area which is not only the registry area but the permissions in that registry tree. Most folk can't or never will know that area and even with links about it, I have yet to meet anyone online that could fix it without a reload of the OS. And no, registry fixers won't help.

-> What about ignoring IE? It's not like we don't have Chrome and Firefox.
Bob

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Answer
Ideas.
Jan 9, 2014 3:28AM PST

1. Read http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-609974/fake-browser-update-site-installs-malware/?messageId=5538702&tag=rb_content;forums06#message5538702

Be sure you are not falling for something like that.

2. Try a new user account. make it an Admin.
Besides, you always need a spare admin account.

3. I can't know what SECURITY APPS you have running but many block such work. At worst I've had to uninstall such to do the work.

4. SFC? Not likely to fix this one.

5. The really bad news. If your issue is unlike the ones folks reported it is truely deep damage to the OS. It could be some malware or someone fell for a registry cleaner.
Bob