? for puter techies

[Nix]

Just opens a blank page

Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> Lan Settings

Under Proxy Server

If 'Use Proxy server' is checked and you are not using a proxy server (you most likely are not unless on a corporate network) this will stop the browser from connecting to the internet. If it says 127.0.0.1 for address it was changed by a virus.

When going into IE properties it says opening without add ons

To look for add-ons that may be causing issues, go to tools -> manage add-ons

Look through the list of ad-ons and see if anything looks "out of place / doesn't belong" they should all be listed with the development company's name.

cannot close that but you can minimize it.

Go to Tools -> internet options -> advanced
Under 'Browsing' -> uncheck enable third-party broswer extensions

[Nix]

BTW Internet Explorer (IE) is built into Windows and cannot be uninstalled.

Cheers!

Actually, it can be removed. Go to add/remove programs, add/remove windows components. Granted IE is so tightly integrated into Windows that it is impossible to remove entirely, but it will stop browser functionality by way of removing the IE shortcuts and iexplore.exe file.

[CrufflerSteve]

Switching from windows can be a whole set of problems but it is a way to duck out of the never ending war against malware and avoid spending $'s to protect your computer. Going Mac is one way but that is lots of $'s that could be spent at the range.

It really depends what you use your computer for. If you use specialty software like Photoshop you're tied to the platforms it supports. I do basic graphics and simple processing on photos and the Gimp is quite okay.

A friend of mine switched his mother-in-law to Ubuntu. All she does is email, chat & browse. She is also very careless about clicking on links in spam. He got tired of reinstalling windows and switched her a year ago and hasn't had a crisis since.

Steve

[Hoosier]

It is most likely a configuration error (possibly caused by Spyware/Trojan/Virus). Re-installing the OS is a solution for everything, but not of this problem.

Can you ever really trust the machine after that? I got a virus four or five years ago. I disconnected it from the network and DBAN'd the drive. Like I said, it's the only way to be sure.

As for supporting users, more power to ya!


H.

[Irving]

Has this problem been solved yet? I have my own question and don't want to high jack until the OP has fixed his problem.

[Mtn.man]

Nothing has worked so far.....