Microsoft Internet Explorer

John,

Thank you for the response. Let me tell you why I wanted to uninstall it.

My computer was constantly crashing when using Internet Explorer. By this I mean two or three times per day.

I figured that perhaps the program was corrupted so I went to the Microsoft site in order to try to reinstall it and the site detects that I already have it installed so I am not able to go further.

I've been using Mozilla with no problems whatsoever. However, I've noticed that Internet Explorer still seems to be lurking in the background since for no apparent reason it opens.

I don't think that I have a virus since I am very careful about the health of my computer.

Is there a way for me to reinstall Internet Explorer from the Microsoft website since I do think that would be a good idea even if I continue to use Mozilla?

Thank you,
Bob

try this.

Reset IE 8 back to it's default settings. This removes all add-ons including 3rd party toolbars. It will also remove Favorites, cookies, any login details stored in IE and IE's history, but as your main browser is Firefox, may be that won't matter too much.

Why do that? We often see that 'Add-ons' cause problems in IE, either badly written add-ons or malware types. Since IE is so closely integrated into the Windows OS, these can often affect other parts of Windows, like Explorer, My Computer, My Documents windows, as well.

Resetting back to default removes all these add-ons.

To do that, open IE, goto Tools > Internet Options, then the Advanced tab, then hit the Reset button.

When that's done I would reboot the system as well. That way everything gets updated and any problems the add-ons may have cause the rest of the system will be reset.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Mark and John,

Wow! Now that I've reset Internet Explorer back to its default settings, my computer is running much better. I haven't yet used IE but my computer is just "faster".

Thank you,
Bob

Hi Guys,

I haven't been using IE but I am very happy with the operation of my computer since taking your recommendation.

I have noticed that IE seems to always be operating even though I do not open it. Every once in a while a pop up will come up in the IE window. I do have the block up setting set for the highest level of rejection but some still come through. But why should this be happening at all since I do not have the program open?

Is there any way to prevent this "now and then" annoyance?

Thanks again,
Bob

When you say that a pop-up will come up in the IE window, do you mean that IE is open, and then this 'additional' window pops up?

You say you haven't been using IE, so do you mean instead that even if IE is closed, an IE window pops up?

In either case, what does the window show?

Mark

Hi Mark,

I have not been using Internet Explorer at all. Without me opening it, the Internet Explorer opens with a pop-up. Also, I have the pop-up blocker set to reject all pop-ups.

Thank you,
Bob

What do the pop-ups display Bob?

Mark

Hi Mark,

Seems like the typical advertisements.

http://www.theinternetsurvey.org/survey1/survey.php?t202id=12438&t202kw=google.com_113278

http://facebook.com.fbmessaging.com/?messageid=3245667123456adfeg63

I'm wondering if Mozilla is somehow linked to IE?

I'm going to use another browser (Safari) for a while and see if it still happens and I'll report back to you. I'll be using it with the Pop-Up blocker on also.

Take care,
Bob

I've never heard of different browser types interacting in this way.

I feel that there is still some sort of problem with your IE. These advertising popups are adware, which is a form of malware.

Can we review your security applications?

What we recommend are the following;

1] A firewall. Essential protection against hackers, and against unauthorised software attempting to access theinternet.

2] One, (and only one), anti-virus application, fully installed, running constantly in the background, and updated daily, (preferably automatically). If the AV, (anti-virus), also includes a firewall and anti-spyware, then that is fine.

3] More than one anti-spyware application, of which only one runs continuously. The others used as regular 'double-check' scanners. We generally group spyware into "malware" nowadays.

4] On a Windows system XP and above, do not use Spybot Search & Destroy or Lavasoft's AdAware. We find they do not work very well with today's other security applications, in particular Spybot's TeaTimer, or Lavasofts AdWatch.

5] Unless you are into Instant Messaging within a closed network, kill the "Windows Messenger". This is a Windows utility that can often be hijacked to send advertising and other spam to a computer. More here;
http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/messenger.htm
well worth a read and it explains how to disable this nuisance service.

6] I would also suggest you read Jimmy (Greystone's) advice and tips here;
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?messageID=2834003#2834003
A very useful list that Jimmy has refined over time.

I hope that helps.

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I'll try all those things shortly and get back with you on the results.

Best,
Bob

Hi All,

I thought that I would let you know that I am still having those annoying pop-ups despite my best efforts to find out the problem. I have scanned for virus's and spyware to no avail.

However, I must say that other than the present issue, my computer is operating just fine, is very fast and never crashes. So I'll just keep on using it as is and I'll get back with you guys if anything new develops.

In any case, you have been very helpful because my computer is no longer crashing as it once was.

Regards,
Bob

Hi Bob, glad to see the system is running better, but those constant pop-ups shouldn't be happening.

A favor please. The next time you get a pop-up, can you take a screen print of the whole Desktop, upload it to an image hosting web site, (eg ImageShack, PhotoBucket, Flickr, etc), and post the link to the 'full sized' image they provide?

I only need the Desktop and the pop-up at this stage, ie no other open windows unless you think they are relevant, so when the pop-up appears, close any other open windows, then press the "Print Screen" button on the keyboard.

Sorry, you may know how to do all this already, but just in case you have never done it;

1] Take the screen print. Then goto Start > All Programs > Accessories, and open Paint, (may be called MSPaint).

2] In MSPaint, goto Edit > Paste, and this will paste the Desktop image into Paint.

3] Make any changes you want to preserve anonymity and/or personal details that you do not want to share.

4] Goto File > Save as, select a name for the file, select a "Save as type" as JPEG. Goto "Browse folders" and select Desktop, then hit Save. That will save the image as a .jpg file to your Desktop. YOu can now get rid of the actual pop-up.

5] Goto your chosen image hosting site and upload this image from your image.

6] When the process is finished, check that the 'full image' displays ok in your browser, then copy the url web address and paste that link into a new post here.

Perhaps seeing it will give us some clues.

Mark

Hi Mark,

I've never tried Print Screen before and just found out it isn't working as advertised. Nothing seems to be copied to the clipboard and nothing happens when I press the print screen key.

Thanks again,
Bob

Depending on the keyboard, you might need to use shift-print screen (the non-shift variant at the lower part of the key is labeled sysrq). Or even alt-shift-print screen (although at work that brings to me to the accessibility dialog window) or alt-print-screen.

Kees

Hi Guys,

I figured out how to do it. Actually, it's more like I bumbled into it!

Now I'll wait until I get one of those pesky pop-ups and get it to the board.

Bob

Mark,

Here is a link to the JPEG of the screen.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobguercio/4377742306/in/set-72157623482818498/#/edit

Thank you,
Bob

I'm not sure why it is popping up when IE is not open, but this is Microsoft offering you to upgrade your IE to IE 8.

There's nothing suspicious about this and it is part of the normal Windows Updating service. I've read back through this thread and I can't see where we have ever asked which version of IE you have now. So, time for you to check and tell us.

How you find out differs slightly, depending which version you have;

1] If you have IE version 3 to 6, open IE and goto Help > About Internet Explorer. That will tell you which version.

2] In IE 7 and 8 the Help menu item has been replaced with a simple ? question mark. Click that, then About Internet Explorer to find out if you have IE 7 or IE 8.

If you have anything below IE 8, then I would allow your Windows to update to IE 8. The next time you see this pop-up, just click Next, and follow the prompts. Watch the process as at some stage IE may ask you if you want it to be your default browser. If you do not, decline that. IE 8 will open at some stage and step you through it's set-up. You can take that as far as you like, but since you won't be using IE that much, you could let it choose the (default) settings, then just leave it.

If your version is already IE 8 then we will have to think again.

Why update IE? Internet Explorer is now closely integrated into Windows, and shares components with other Windows utilities. Keeping IE up to date helps continue to protect Windows.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Hi Mark,

It was just a coincidence that a pop-up advertising Microsoft came up. Here is another example and this one show two pop-ups at the same time. That is a bit rare though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobguercio/4378558521/in/set-72157623482818498/#/edit

I checked the version of the Internet Explorer that I have and it is Version 8.0.6001

Thank you,
Bob

Bob can you provide a link to the larger image. I can't see much of the detail there.

Mark

I see you have Yahoo Search in your Taskbar, (either Taskbar or Notification area, where the clock is, I can't quite tell).

I wonder if the pop-ups are coming through from that.

Mark