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General discussion

Microsoft advises IE Explorer 5.x or IE 4.X users to upgrade immediately

Feb 17, 2004 7:51AM PST

If you can't upgrade than disable code execution features of old browsers immediately

Microsoft is advising customers to move to Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 and more recent patches following the leak of Windows NT and Windows 2000 source code to the Internet last week. While downplaying the potential for hackers to uncover new vulnerabilities in Windows by having access to the source code, one top Microsoft Windows executive said during a monthly security briefing on Tuesday that customers using IE 5.x or IE 4.X versions should quickly download the latest IE code to protect their networks. "Most of IE code is what was leaked," said Chris Jones, corporate vice president in the Windows Core Operating System Division, about the NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 code that leaked. "We don't believe [customers will be affected] so as long as they're current on the latest versions of IE. They need to move to IE 6 and security patches and service packs." IE 6.0 Service Pack 1 was released during the fourth quarter of 2002 and is currently integrated into Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003, Microsoft executives said. Jones also advised customers to access the latest security fixes and patches to address critical and important Windows and IE vulnerabilities, including a significant release earlier this month.

Read more: http://www.securitynewsportal.com/index.shtml

Discussion is locked

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Well that just tears it...
Feb 17, 2004 8:53AM PST

About the only thing I use my IE 5.5 SP2 on Win98 for is my banking. I'll be one unhappy customer if I FINALLY give in and install the upgrade to IE 6, which I've put off now for what seems years, only to screw up my old faithful comp.

Grumble...grumble... Sad Sad

William

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William, don't grumble... you'll love it! :D
Feb 17, 2004 9:39AM PST
Wink
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Re:William, don't grumble... you'll love it! :D
Feb 17, 2004 10:15AM PST

Glenn,

For a very long time I resisted upgrading since some had trouble and even Grif tended to agree about standing pat.

I'm downloading the upgrade now and will likely let you know if I have problems.

BTW, it is my personal opinion that the Knoppix CD for Linux is not worth it since I have not even found a way for me to be online while using that OS.

William

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William, thanks... you know
Feb 17, 2004 11:09AM PST

That I am just kidding you a bit. It is meant as fun and nothing else. I hope you will find it satisfactory and be sure to let everyone know how you come out. By-the-way check the Microsoft Update site for SP-1, etc.!

Best of luck,

Glenn

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Glenn...
Feb 17, 2004 1:38PM PST

Glenn,

No problem on the kidding around, that is what paintballs are for. Happy

I'm downloading the three updates Windows Update indicated that I needed after the upgrade to IE 6.

William

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William, It's Up To You...But You Can Use The WorkArounds
Feb 18, 2004 2:05AM PST

There are other options if you want. Internet Explorer 6 SP1 "should" work fine on your computer, but if you've had problems with installing it before, you can use the workarounds mentioned in the article listed in Marianna's first post.

If you're "dead set" against installing IE 6, change the settings in IE 5.5 SP2 by opening "Internet Options", click on the "Security" tab, then click on the "Internet" icon (the world globe), then click on the "Custom Level" button. When that loads, in the "ActiveX Controls and Plug ins" and "Scripting" sections, set all boxes to "Disable". Click on OK, then choose "yes" when it asks: "Are you sure?. This will allow you to do your general "surfing" safely.

Next, since you'll have a variety of sites, including your "banking" site, that you may want to have run as "Trusted sites",click on the "Trusted Sites" icon, then click on the "sites" button and add those sites to your "Trusted Sites" zone. You can then configure the "Trusted Sites" zone to your liking using the "Custom Level" button so that ACtiveX and Scripting are enabled correctly. That should allow you to continue visiting your banking site and others, exactly as you choose. (I've had to set this CNET site in the "Trusted Sites" because my general surfing settings are set to "prompt" and it was causing a problem everytime I visited here.)

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Hey, thanks for the procedures Grif....
Feb 18, 2004 4:04AM PST

Saved me time in looking them up. I have IE5.5SP2 or my Win98se and WinMe puters and really didn't want to upgrade because of all the problems I have read about that other people have had. I do have IE6 SP1 on my WinXP and it works great for it.

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Risky Business, But Not As Bad As I Thought
Feb 18, 2004 5:27AM PST

After reading Marianna's post, I installed IE6 SP1 on my WinMe in expectation of a disaster. Much to my surprise, it is working fine. All my Favorites are right where I left them, and my OE Address Book has not changed. In fact, 5.5 SP2 had been wearing out and was not working as well as 6 does. I guess this is an "at your own risk"project, because others have not been so lucky. I am adding it to my list of "Things to Be Thankful For."

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I was NOT so lucky :(
Feb 18, 2004 8:22AM PST

I installed IE 6 on my winme and first thing I encountered was a s l o w , very s l o w - took almost 30 seconds if not more before IE 6 would open! I never had any problems with IE 5.5SP2 So I decided to use my restore point to get rid of it. Worked too well as my Outlook Express had disappeared and only got error mesages. Not only Outlook Express was "gone" but also my Windows Setup had suddenly errors like: "Rundll32 has caused an error in SetupX.dll. Rundll32 will now close. Nothing worked what I found by googling it. Fortunately Grif had a link to M$ download for IE5.5SP2 for Winme - to make a LONG story short - I had to download "some components" for Outlook Express as the "rest" was still somewhere. Now everything is up and running and the problem with Windows Setup is also gone Happy Geez - what an "adventure" !

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Re:William, It's Up To You...But You Can Use The WorkArounds
Feb 19, 2004 5:10AM PST

Grif,

Thank you for the info. Am just now getting back to this thread.

I never tried to upgrade to IE 6 before. So far it seems to be working fine. Happy

William

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(NT) William, Glad To Hear It !
Feb 19, 2004 5:13AM PST

.

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You know, when I read that...
Feb 18, 2004 8:19AM PST

You know, when I read that, I can't help wondering if this was an accidentally-on-purpose leak, to scare people into upgrading. I certainly would not put it past Redmond to try a dirty trick like that to force user compliance.

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(NT) Should ME upgrade to IE 6 SP1 also?
Feb 19, 2004 3:52AM PST

a

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Yep, but BE VERY careful !!
Feb 19, 2004 4:17AM PST

make a restore point first - I have also winme and I only had problems updating to IE 6. I am back with IE 5.5 SP2 - but it is UP to YOU !

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Re:Yep, but BE VERY careful !!
Feb 19, 2004 10:35AM PST

I have W98SE, HP6630, I.E. 5.5, sp2, and would like to update to I.E. 6.0, but am concerned that I may have problems like so many others. Is it possible to create a "restore point" with W98, and, if so, how would I do this? I assume that if I can create a "restore point" with W98 and I have a problem with I.E. 6.0, I would be able to restore my PC to the way it was before I installed I.E. 6.0. Is this true?

TIA

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Shirley
Feb 19, 2004 10:45AM PST

I had NO problems with installing IE 6 on my win98 computer - only with winME Sad

Win98 has NO system restore like winme\XP BUT......

Reboot the computer into the MS-DOS mode one of two ways:.
A. If you're in Windows, you can click on Start, Shutdown, then Restart in MS-DOS mode.
B. If you're starting the computer after it has been turned off, start tapping the 'F8' key as the computer starts up or hold down the left CTRL key.
1. This should give you a Windows 98 Startup menu.
2. At the Startup menu, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select option number 5, Command Prompt, and press 'enter'.
3. This should get you to a MS-DOS prompt.
C. At the DOS prompt, type in 'scanreg /restore' and press the enter key.
D. This should give you a blue and grey menu screen.
E. On the menu there will be listings of the registry for different dates.
F. Use the arrow keys and highlight the oldest copy, then press enter..
G. The current registry will be backed up and Windows will try to restore the copy you selected.

BTW NO quotation marks as you type : scanreg /restore

Hope this helps

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Re:Marianna, Thank you so very much
Feb 19, 2004 11:14AM PST

for the easy-to-follow instructions. I hope I,like you, don't have any problems. I haven't had any serious problems in the four years I've had this PC and sure don't want any! When I do have a problem or questions you and the other moderators and members have always bailed me out. Happy I really appreciate all the great help I get here.

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Shirley
Feb 19, 2004 11:22AM PST

You are very welcome ! I'll cross my fingers you are the LUCKY one without any problems Happy

Good Luck Wink

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Re:Marianna
Feb 19, 2004 2:03PM PST

Your GOOD LUCK wishes must have helped. Installation complete and no problems. Happy Thank you.

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(NT) Shirley - GREAT JOB !! Thanks for posting back :)
Feb 19, 2004 2:07PM PST

.