Problems with Internet Explorer

[syregnask]

Hi,

On significant other's laptop, after a recent windows update (win xp), the following symptoms are observed:

- Internet Explorer cannot be launched

- Gmail-notifier does not work

- Windows Live Messenger cannot be logged into

- Feedreader runs, but doesn't function properly

- Desktop Notes doesn't work

Firefox still runs without any problems.

Any ideas ? She would prefer to use internet explorer, but might be able to live with firefox IF the functionality of gmail notifier, feedreader and desktop notes is reinstated...

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

While Windows updates can sometimes have negative impact, the first thing I would check if the system is free of malware.

If yes, what updates were installed - do you know? You can check http://www.update.microsoft.com/ Update History to see what was installed when. And yes, you can run it on Firefox, provided the IE Tab add-on is installed.

In the worst case you can do a System Restore to a date before the updates were installed.

[syregnask]

Thanks for your help,

1. Malware:

System is running NOD32.

2. Update History

Attempting to go to www.update.microsoft.com in Firefox with IE Tab causes Firefox to hang.

3. System Restore

I restored to August 9, which was the last day the system was functioning. This brought back gmail notifier, windows live messenger, desktop notes and the feedreader - however, now trying to launch internet explorer causes the window to open briefly, then disappear and now Firefox cannot be launched.

While Windows updates can sometimes have negative impact, the first thing I would check if the system is free of malware.

If yes, what updates were installed - do you know? You can check http://www.update.microsoft.com/ Update History to see what was installed when. And yes, you can run it on Firefox, provided the IE Tab add-on is installed.

In the worst case you can do a System Restore to a date before the updates were installed.

[syregnask]

After playing around with it for a while, it turns out uninstalling Crawler Notes brought internet explorer, gmail notifier and the feedreader back to life..

[catgate]

Well that just proves to me the old adage that "no one likes a crawler".

[Dencandy]

There's is so much crappy software around now that hasn't been properly tested even with Windows, let alone other common programs. I think years ago there used to be a Microsoft "Windows Approved" certificate, but it seems to have died a death. Always make a restore point before installing anything new, even updates.

[andsome]

There's is so much crappy software around now that hasn't been properly tested even with Windows, let alone other common programs. I think years ago there used to be a Microsoft "Windows Approved" certificate, but it seems to have died a death. Always make a restore point before installing anything new, even updates.

MS Updates create a restore point automatically . :D

[syregnask]

Interestingly, in this case the system restore didn't cure the problems - in some ways it seemed to make it worse.

[Boris]

Have you removed (via Add and Remove programs) the Crawler Toolbar - which I think is also installed with Crawler Notes ?

[Dencandy]

Interestingly, in this case the system restore didn't cure the problems - in some ways it seemed to make it worse.

Yes, you have to find the problem program or update and uninstall that first. Going back to a restore point doesn't uninstall programs that were installed after that date. Although they may seem to "disappear" from the desktop or start menu, they are still installed & may even start up automatically as before. So the sequence I normally use is:

1 - find the problem program (often quite a difficult thing to do);

2 - uninstall it using the correct uninstall procedure;

3 - check again to see if this has solved the problem;

4 - if not, restore to a time before installing the problem program.

Sometimes it's necessary to get specialist removal tools to completely remove the traces of a problem program (removing Norton anti-virus is a good example, as many on this forum know).

Some program providers (e.g. Microsoft, as andsome mentions above) automatically create a restore point before an installation, others give you an option to make one (e.g. CCleaner). But even then the problem can recur if the faulty installation isn't removed.

[andsome]

Interestingly, in this case the system restore didn't cure the problems - in some ways it seemed to make it worse.

Yes, you have to find the problem program or update and uninstall that first. Going back to a restore point doesn't uninstall programs that were installed after that date. Although they may seem to "disappear" from the desktop or start menu, they are still installed & may even start up automatically as before. So the sequence I normally use is:

1 - find the problem program (often quite a difficult thing to do);

2 - uninstall it using the correct uninstall procedure;

3 - check again to see if this has solved the problem;

4 - if not, restore to a time before installing the problem program.

Sometimes it's necessary to get specialist removal tools to completely remove the traces of a problem program (removing Norton anti-virus is a good example, as many on this forum know).

Some program providers (e.g. Microsoft, as andsome mentions above) automatically create a restore point before an installation, others give you an option to make one (e.g. CCleaner). But even then the problem can recur if the faulty installation isn't removed.

Even with the provided removal tools in the case of Norton it can be very difficult, and a complete reinstall was necessary in my case. NEVER EVER NORTON AGAIN THANKS.