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General discussion

Internet Explorer in Windows7

Nov 10, 2010 2:08PM PST

I frequently get the message "Internet Explorer Not Responding" even when I first switch on. This is so frustrating that I have installed Firefox and Opera as alternatives when the problem is particularly bad. However, overall I do prefer IE as my search engine and would be grateful if someone has a solution to this problem. I also have a problem with Windows Updates which will not install and wonder if there is a connection.
Ipar13

Discussion is locked

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IE problems
Nov 10, 2010 7:31PM PST

Trying to sort this out in steps...

1] Internet Explorer at Startup

I would have to wonder why IE gives a "Not responding" message at startup as that is unusual.

Can you give the full error message? Sometimes Windows will display an error similar to "Explorer not working" and users often confuse this with Internet Explorer, where it is more than likely Explorer as in Windows Explorer, (eg your Desktop itself, or any of your My Documents folders).

If it definitely is Internet Explorer, check your Startup folder in the Start Menu bubble > All programs list. Is there an entry in that folder for internet Explorer, or for a web site? If so that is forcing IE to load at startup and I would remove that entry, (right click, select Delete).

If there is no entry in that Startup folder, you next need to check the "System Configuration Editor". In the Start bubble Search option, type in Run. If a Run entry is found at the top of the list, click that. In the new box that opens, type in msconfig, (For clarity, that is MSCONFIG). In the new window, goto the Startup tab and look down the list either for an IE entry or for a web site entry. If you find one, remove the tick, then click Apply/OK.

Hopefully that will clear the Startup problem.

2] Internet Explorer not responding

Often these problems can be traced back to bad or corrupted Add-ons. You can check IE's Add-ons from within IE by going to Tools > Manage Add-ons, then check through all the add-ons, plugins and ActiveX and try an elimination test.

Alternatively you can goto IE's Tools > Internet Options, then the Advanced tab, and click the "Reset" button. This resets IE back to it's default state and removes all add-ons and third party toolbars and so on, but beware, this may also remove all Favorites, all History and Cookies, and any web site logins and passwords you have saved in IE.

3] Windows Updates

You don't say what the problem is with Windows Updates, so diagnosing is difficult, but since malware can often attempt to prevent users from updating Windows I would try some anti-malware scanning in addition to your normal anti-virus scanning with either or both of the two utilities below;

Malwarebytes' Anti-malware and SUPERAntiSpyware

I hope that helps.

Mark

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IE "Not Responding" in Windows7.
Nov 10, 2010 11:37PM PST

Mark,
Thank-u for reply and helpful suggestions. The message is "Internet Explorer Not Responding we are searching for a solution" or "IE not responding , we will close the Programme". Sometimes it is back within seconds, saying "Tab has been recovered".
I will try your suggestions and see how I go.

Regarding SuperAntiSpyware. I do have this installed as well as McAfee. They are both run regularly, not together I hasten to add.

ipar13

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I would have to say
Nov 10, 2010 10:14PM PST

I would have to say this has many hallmarks of a malware issue, which is a pretty much unique problem to IE. All the malware for all the other browsers combined, can probably be counted on one hand, whereas with IE all you can do is give your best estimate. A single wrong click with IE is all it takes to open the flood gates, and these days, no site is safe. Everyone is serving up ads from third parties, or getting some kind of content from a third party, and a smart attacker would go after these third party sites, which likely have far less security. They're just an ad broker after all, who cares about breaking into their systems? You alter a few ads to serve up some kind of nefarious content, and then seemingly safe sites start serving up these infected ads.

Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome, it doesn't really matter which one you pick, but you should pick one to replace IE. Otherwise you're all but certain to have issues like this time and time again. Not that using another browser gives you total immunity from trouble, but it's a significant step in the right direction.

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INTERNET DOESNT RESPOND...DIFFICULT TO DOWNLOAD...
Nov 13, 2010 8:47AM PST

DEAR IPAR13...I GUESS MOST PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THAT,
WORLD-WIDE...ITS, I GUESS, THE MICROSOFT OWN PROBLEM(S), I HAVE TRIED TO SOLVE IT TOGETHER WITH
THOSE TECHNICIAN AT MICROSOFT IN SWEDEN/NORWAY...
BUT NOT SO EASY...
I USE "COMETBIRD", CHROME AND CHROMEPLUS AS VERY
GOOD BROWSERS, USUALLY VERY FAST, SO COMETBIRD
IS MY PRIMARY ONE...

RE. W. UPDATES...ALSO HERE I, AND MOST PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THAT, WELL, AFTER I SAW THAT MOST
DOWNLOADS DIDNT CONCERN ME MUCH I HAVE STOPPED
ALL AUTO DOWNLOAD...AND IT GOES FINE...

ANOTHER THING, MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT "INTRUDERS"...ON THEIR
MACHINE...BUT I HAVE ALMOST NOTHING...THESE 2 YEARS
I HAVE HAD THIS LAPTOP, AND I, "AS PROVOCATION" TO MICROSOFT, I HAVE THE LOWEST SECURITY LEVEL ON
ALL ASPECTS, MY OWN FIREWALL, OWN VIRUSPROGRAM,
CLEAN EVERYDAY, AND USE MY HEAD AND COMMON SENSE...

BEST REGARDS
KNUT HANS?N
TECHNICIAN...

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windows Updates-Windows7
Nov 13, 2010 2:24PM PST

Dear Knut Hansen.
Thank-you for all that.
When I check which Updates are not installing I have no idea whether they are needed or not. They seem to be mainly NET Framework. Windows Defender always installs.
I am set on Manual so always asked if I wish to install.

I use an HP Laptop and have McAfee and SUPER ANTI-VIRUS SPYWARE installed. McAfee is run at the end of every day and SUPER ANTI every other day. McAfee very rarely finds anything but SUPER ANTI always alaways finds quite a few Adware cookies which I delete.

Would you recommend that I (1) simply ignore all Windows Updates (2) Let it install what it can or (3) Turn off this function entirely.

A few weeks ago I had lengthy email discussions with Microsoft who sent me reams of instructions with every message. I began to wade through these but there were so many involved so called solutions that in the end I gave up. Yes, this irritating Internet Explorer problem is a nuisance but I have installed Firefox and Opera as alternatives.
I did download Safai at one stage but that did the same thing as Internet Explorer so
removed that one.

Like you say, as always, at the end of the day, "vigilance" is probably the best anti-spyware.

Ipar13

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Security
Nov 16, 2010 4:20AM PST

I use for a very long time a very strong and life-time free licensed security suite software: Comodo Internet Security. After installation it gives a message that your lifetime free license is activated, so no annoying advertising tricks, sale, but awesome security 24/7. Antivirus, firewall, Defend+, Sandbox for applications, etc....
There can be important updates for Windows 7 (for example solve application compatibility issues), but turn off Internet Explorer (you can turn off Windows features in Programs and Features in Control Panel). Throw it away, unnecessary bloatware on your machine. People are right with Firefox and Chrome. Use permanently privatebrowsing with Firefox! Before you do these steps, you know what, begin to do these on a clean installation of Win7, then first Comodo: http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php ., then Firefox (only him), and then all the updates and turn off IE 8.. You will be fine in the future!

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Google
Nov 13, 2010 8:56AM PST

I used to be in the same boat as you with Explorer so changed to Google and dont get any trouble at all try it and you will find it is much faster than explorer and more reliable

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Internet Explorer in Windows 7
Nov 13, 2010 2:28PM PST

Google is top of the tree as a search engine and I use it all the time. However, I find my computer throws up all sorts of errors when I did install chrome and ran extremely slowly. However, Opera and Firefox are fine, except that Firefox doesn't have a Return button on its browser.

Did you uninstall Internet Explorer??
Ipar13

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Trust me switch to FireFox or chrome
Nov 13, 2010 1:43PM PST

and forget IE 7 and 8. We fought with those piece of "expletive" for 3 1/2 years and never did find fixes for it. I was doing volunteer help work here on a regular basis then by-the-way. No one could find fixes for its numerous problems. That one should have stayed on the drawing board and never been brought online.

Tis crapware.

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Internet Explorer Windows7
Nov 13, 2010 2:34PM PST

If it is such a long standing problem, a company like Microsoft, you would have thought, should have found a solution by now. When you check WHY IE stops responding why on earth do they say, words to the effect, that it closes because of possible malware etc., attacks. Possible cover-up for a faulty piece of software, like you say, should have stayed on the drawing board, or in the head of the inventor.
Ipar13