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General discussion

Missing internet options

by DawnW Aug 31, 2004 8:11AM PDT

Hi: I have Windows XP. The other day I was erasing some programs that I thought were no longer needed on my computer, and must have erased something very important by accident. When I go to Network and Internet Connections now to delete the cookies and temp internet files, Internet Options is no longer there. The only thing there now is Network Connections. Is there any way to get this back??? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Dawn

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16 Posts
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Re: Missing internet options
by Cursorcowboy Aug 31, 2004 9:02AM PDT

Can't access IE settings on the system because you're told to contact your administrator?

This can happen if you use "Spybot-S&D" in advanced mode, Tools, IETweaks, and untick the checkboxe Lock IE control panel . . .. You'll need to close IE and perhaps restart Windows for the setting change to take affect.

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Re: Missing internet options
by DawnW Aug 31, 2004 10:54PM PDT

Thanks so much for the help. I haven't gotten a message like that, the icon is just missing for internet options where it used to be. I do have Spybot, though, so I am going to try that anyway and see. I have a feeling I erased something important........... That is the last time I will erase programs without knowing for sure what they are! Will let you know if I figure it out. Dawn

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Dawn, Are You Looking In The Right Place?
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Aug 31, 2004 1:11PM PDT

There are a couple of way to access the "Internet Options" screen for Internet Explorer. First, while in Internet Explorer, click on "Tools", choose "Internet Options". When that opens on the "General" tab, you should have the option to delete "Temporary Internet Files" and "Cookies".

If you want to access the same screen from elsewhere, click on "Start-Control Panel, then double click on the "Internet Options" icon.(NOT the "Network Connections" icon) If "Internet Options" isn't there, then maybe you've deleted a file called "inet.cpl". If that's the case, it will need to be replaced in order to access the Control Panel/Internet Options icon. I believe there should be one in one of the Service Pack/Windows Update installation backups which can be extracted/copied to the "C\Windows\System32" folder where it belongs. Doing a search for the file name should bring up a few.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: Dawn, Are You Looking In The Right Place?
by DawnW Aug 31, 2004 11:17PM PDT

Thank you for your help. I tried what you said - start, control panel, then double click internet options icon. Internet options is there, but then I click on that I come to the screen where it says to pick a task or pick a control panel icon. That is where the Internet Options is missing from. It used to Internet Options and Network Connections, and now only says Network Connections. I hope that makes sense. So, basically, I can get to the steps you said, but it is right after that that it is missing. Should I still try what you suggested? Thanks. I really appreciate the help. Dawn

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Re: Dawn, Are You Looking In The Right Place?
by DawnW Aug 31, 2004 11:39PM PDT

Hi again: I ran HiJack This. Are you two familiar with this? I ran across it by accident. I am not really sure what it is. Sorry, I am such a newbie, and my kids are not real knowledgeable either. It says there are two things missing, but I am not sure if it could be either of them. If you are familiar with it, let me know and I will copy it and tell you what it says. Thanks - Dawn

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Re: Missing internet options
by billzhills Aug 31, 2004 10:32PM PDT

Dawn,

Good suggestions on the other posts, but...

By "erasing some programs that I thought were no longer needed on my computer," DO you mean uninstall or delete?

Deleting Programs is a strict no-no. Windows and installed applications use a data base called the registry. Uninstalling keeps the registry in order. Deleting causes confusion.

Let us know if you Deleted or Uninstalled unneeded programs. This will direct the proper trouble shooting steps.

Bill

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Re: Missing internet options
by DawnW Sep 1, 2004 12:14AM PDT

Hi: Well, I was in add/remove programs erasing things that we no longer used, and that is where I think it happened, so I would assume that means it is gone for good? I think I highlighted and erased the wrong thing, but I have no clue what. I don't know if maybe this is related or not but I installed Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster last week, and was getting a message every day when I turned on my computer that someone was trying to change the internet explorer home page. I would click on the "keep old value" button but the message would just keep coming back, and came back again today when I turned it on. Now I see that internet explorer says "about blank." I wonder if it was hijacked? I don't know if that would have anything to do with this problem or not, but everything else seems to be working okay. Please let me know what you think. I am assuming I erased it and it is gone for good. Not good!! Thanks - Dawn

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Re: Missing internet options
by DawnW Sep 1, 2004 7:55AM PDT

Problem solved!! I did the IE fix and it worked! Internet options is back. Thanks for everyone's help. I really appeciate it.

Dawn

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Re: Missing internet options
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 31, 2004 11:29PM PDT

I wonder if this is a side effect of SP2?

If you can get to Tools, Internet Options from Internet Explorer, my advice is to not fix this and use the access from IE instead.

I'm not at my XP machine at the moment, but I wonder if this moved to the new Security Panel?

Bob

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Re: Missing internet options
by billzhills Aug 31, 2004 11:47PM PDT

Bob,

Just checked XP new install w/SP2 and Internet Options are in the Control Panel.

If Dawn "deleted" programs would System File checker restore needed system files?

Bill
.

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Two ideas.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 31, 2004 11:57PM PDT
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Re: Two ideas.
by DawnW Sep 1, 2004 12:18AM PDT

Okay, I am checking out both right now. Thank you - Dawn

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Re: Missing internet options
by DawnW Sep 1, 2004 12:16AM PDT

Yes, at least I can still get to it that way to erase the cookies and temp internet files, so maybe it won't matter. Just is what I am hoping. Thanks!!

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about blank pest?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 1, 2004 12:31AM PDT

First, I typo'd and the correct name was "inetcpl.cpl".

Second, "about blank" is a known pest. I'm unsure if your machine has this pest, but if it does, please search the Security Forum for instructions on how to remove it.

Bob

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Re: about blank pest?
by DawnW Sep 4, 2004 2:04AM PDT

Thank you, Bob. I am going to look on there right now. Dawn

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Dawn, Search For A File....
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 1, 2004 12:52AM PDT

...named "inetcpl.cpl". There should be quite a few listed and the important one should be in the "C\Windows\System32" folder. As I mentioned earlier, it's possible the "inetcpl.cpl" file in the System32 folder is either missing or corrupted. I suggest replacing it with another one on the computer. There should be another correct version in either of the two locations below:

C:\I386 folder
C:\Windows\System32\Dllcache folder

Replacing the corrupted version with the version above should get it done.

Of course, if you want, you can leave things alone and simply use the Internet Explorer access method.

Hope this helps.

Grifr

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