Internet Explorer not opening

[w2w]

First of all let me say hello as I'm new here. Here's my problem

 

I'm running XP Home [sP2] with IE6 installed [i had IE7 but got rid as I preferred IE6]

 

A few months ago I noticed that whem I opened anything with Windows media player, that the player would play audio tracks but the application itself would only stay in the taskbar and not open at all [minimise,maximise, restore didn't do anything] This isn't so much of a problem as I always use VLC Player but the problem is..This has now happened with Internet Explorer. It will not open, just sits in the taskbar and nothing I can do will open it.

This doesn't happen with MSN or Firefox, but I get along just fine with IE6 and would rather use this

 

It is driving me mad, can anyone help?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello W2W

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

What version of WMP do you have?

[w2w]

Hello W2W

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

What version of WMP do you have?

 

 

10 mate. I tried installing 11 and re-installing 10 but still no joy

 

My IE problem is the one that's driving me mad. If i can solve the WMP problem that will be a bonus but I can't operate without IE

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have you read this from Microsoft W2W?

 

How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP

[w2w]

Have you read this from Microsoft W2W?

 

How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows XP

 

I've tried the sfc /scannow route but it keeps asking for my XP disc [that was damaged beyond repair years ago

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Did you try 4

 

Method 4: Reinstall Internet Explorer 6 by using the Ie.inf file

 

If you already have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed, and you do not want to install Internet Explorer 7, you may be able to resolve problems with Internet Explorer 6 by using the Ie.inf file to reinstall Internet Explorer 6.

To do this, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, click Run, type %systemroot%\inf, and then press Enter.

2. Find the Ie.inf file that is located in Windows\Inf folder.

3. Right-click the Ie.inf file, and then click Install.

4.Restart the computer when the file copy process is complete.

[w2w]

I've tried the sfc /scannow route but it keeps asking for my XP disc [that was damaged beyond repair years ago

 

 

and I tried the %systemroot%\inf route and I don't seem to have an ie.inf file only a ie.PNF one

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have you run a Search under Files and Folders, including hidden files for that file?

[w2w]

Have you run a Search under Files and Folders, including hidden files for that file?

 

I did mate and it found it. I clicked instal and it asked for my SP2 CD. I have re-installed SP2 but it's on my HDD not on a CD and that won't work

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I'm guessing you don't have a recovery partition on that hard drive W2W so the only other way round it would be to borrow a copy of XP to reinstall the system files.

 

This may work but I'm not guaranteeing it.

 

Alternatively you may be able to download SP2 again from MS or obtain SP3 from MS which would be better.

 

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

[w2w]

I'm guessing you don't have a recovery partition on that hard drive W2W so the only other way round it would be to borrow a copy of XP to reinstall the system files.

 

This may work but I'm not guaranteeing it.

 

Alternatively you may be able to download SP2 again from MS or obtain SP3 from MS which would be better.

 

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

 

 

I reinstalled SP2 this morning in the hope it would fix it. I'm now in the proces of installing SP3. I hope this sorts it

 

Is there a way of burning the SP3 file onto a bootable CD?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well the SP 3 would be no good in it's own right as a bootable media.

 

If you have no recovery partition at all and the XP disk is trashed you really need to think about issues that might happen in the future.

[w2w]

nope SP3 hasn't cleared the promblem, I'm now out of ideas. Seems strange that it only affects IE and WMP

[Guest Wolfeymole]

You may have some malware running loose in the system.

 

Follow these procedures below and get back to us.

 

Your computer could be infected with Malware.

 

• Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
  It is a combination of the words malicious and software.
  The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
  

 

• Required Cleanup Steps
  
  1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
     
  2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
     
  3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
     
  4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
     
  5. Clear out old System Restore points
     
  6. If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested.
     

   

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.

The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes.

The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours.

In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.

Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean.

 

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page

To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.

From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"

click the

Selection

choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/printer-selection.gif

__________________________________________________

STEP 1

• Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed)
  
  
  1. Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode.
     
     
  2. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode"
     
     
  3. On the left hand side, Click on Tools
     
     
  4. Then click on the Resident Icon in the List
     
     
  5. Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts.
     
     
  6. Restart your computer.
     
     
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 2

• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from
  Snapfiles.com
  to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
  
• You can also download it from
  Majorgeeks.com
  
  
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
  
  
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
  
  
• NOTE:
  If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
  
  
• Then click on "Empty Selected".
  
  

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner01.gif

.

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner02.gif

__________________________________________________

STEP 3

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from
  SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  
  
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
    
    
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
    
    
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
    
    
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
    
    
  • DO NOT
    allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
    
    
  • On the
    Top Left
    select the
    Scan your computer
    button.
    
    
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all
    Fixed Drives
    .
    
    
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 4

• Install and run
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  from
  Malwarebytes - (direct download)
  
  
  • Accept all defaults for the installer
    
    
  • Allow the program to update the definitions
    
    
  • Click on the
    Quick Scan
    and click Next.
    
    
  • If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

STEP 5

• Run an online scan with ESET from
  Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  
  
  • You
    must
    use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
    
    
  • If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you
    must first
    start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the
    Internet Explorer
    icon in the Start Menu and select "
    Run as administrator
    " from the popup context menu.
    
    
   
  • Accept the terms and click "Start".
    
    
  • Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
    
    
  • Click "Start" to begin the scan.
    
    
  • When completed restart your computer
    
    
   

__________________________________________________

Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

[w2w]

Cheers for your patience, but I have gone through every step of those processes [except the last one obviously as my problem is I cannot open IE]

 

Same result :(

[RandyL]

Look to see if they are set to open minimized from the shortcut. I doubt this is the issue but it's worth a look.

 

Right click the IE shortcut and click properties. The properties should open with the shortcut tab selected. In the Run: box make sure Minimized is not selected. If it is use the dropdown arrow to select Normal. Click Apply. Click OK.

[w2w]

Look to see if they are set to open minimized from the shortcut. I doubt this is the issue but it's worth a look.

 

Right click the IE shortcut and click properties. The properties should open with the shortcut tab selected. In the Run: box make sure Minimized is not selected. If it is use the dropdown arrow to select Normal. Click Apply. Click OK.

 

tried that mate and even when it's in the taskbar it gives the option to maximise, but it just doesn't work

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Go to Control panel then choose Internet options

 

Click on the Advanced tab and click on Reset advanced options

 

See if that helps