Internet Explorer behaviour

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Rickles

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#90613 25-Sep-2011 21:01

Hi,

Within the last 48 hours, when opening IE7, I've started getting the error message window saying "Internet Explorer cannot open the web site xxxxx".

This happens randomly about 3 times out of 5, AND YET using a shortcut or Favourite link to any web site there is no problem at all. Further, after closing the error message window, clicking on the Home icon brings IE up just fine and further browsing is not hindered in any way.

The internet is full of people with this problem dating back literally decades, lots of suggestions, but no single solution other than talk about HTML coding on the web site that IE cannot interpret correctly, along with suggestions to use another brand of web browser.

Just to test my/their paranoia, I changed the usual home page of Google to Microsoft's, and guess what .... no more problem!

Any ideas what may be happening, or how to fix?

R.

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#525631 25-Sep-2011 21:08

I would strongly recommend an upgrade to IE8 for security and performance reasons. See if it fixes your problem but regardless do the upgrade!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8

Do whatever you want to do man.

freitasm

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#525634 25-Sep-2011 21:12

A few things:

.Have you run a full antivirus and antispyware scan?
.What ISP are you using? Are you using it own DNS?
.Is this happening at any time, or only after coming back from hibernation/sleep?
.Have you tried running Internet Explorer with no add-ons (run "iexplore -extoff")?

freitasm

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#525635 25-Sep-2011 21:13

billgates: I would strongly recommend an upgrade to IE8 for security and performance reasons. See if it fixes your problem but regardless do the upgrade!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-8

Actually if you are on Windows 7 you should have Internet Explorer 9.

Rickles

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#525638 25-Sep-2011 21:23

Bill ... have tried to upgrade to IE8 (it's on our other machines) but it will not install .... keep getting the dreaded loop where it tries to check for 'malicious software' and fails to install IE8 even though all approrpiate updates are loaded.

Mauricio ... yes, run AV and anti-spy stuff; Telstra Clear cable & correct DNS; started just 48 hours ago and happens anytime; all Add-ons disabled.

Machine in question is XP Pro, so IE9 not available.

R.

billgates

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#525646 25-Sep-2011 21:50

Can you change the DNS on the IE7 machine to 8.8.8.8 (Google's public DNS) and try browsing the web again on the IE7 machine.

Also can you go to C:/Windows/System32/drivers/etc and opens the hosts file with notepad and list what is typed in there.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Rickles

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#525656 25-Sep-2011 22:13

Bill ... for some reason the router will not 'hold' that DNS, will try in morning using machine directly.

Specifically which host file please ... I see about 8 'backup' files and plus 3 or 4 others such as lmsam, networks, protocol, etc.

Thanks for your time,

R.

freitasm

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#525657 25-Sep-2011 22:14

There is just one hosts file, no extension. If you can't see just one then change the folder option - uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" option.

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Rickles

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#525658 25-Sep-2011 22:21

Guys ... OK, got the hosts file, it's 400kb in size.

Is it OK to post in Forum, or best to send to Bill for perusal?

R.

billgates

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#525662 25-Sep-2011 22:35

post it in the forum. there is nothing personal in it that states your public IP or your personal info. if you are worried then go ahead and PM me.

Do whatever you want to do man.

freitasm

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#525665 25-Sep-2011 22:46

400KB? Wow... Mine is pretty much the default one with five extra lines and it's only 1KB.

It's safe to post, and that would be interesting to see.

Hiamie

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#525679 26-Sep-2011 07:56

Just my 2 cents...
If I remember correctly, either Adaware or Spybot (I don't use either now, but used to) adds entries to the hosts files to prevent access to malicious sites. Maybe either of those, or similar explains why the hosts file is 400KB in size. If this is the case, replacing the hosts file with the default 1KB sized one, will only remain at 1KB until the next run of the anti-malware / security application.

Of course, I could be wrong - wouldn't be the first time... or the second ;)

Rickles

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#525689 26-Sep-2011 09:24

Guys,

I asked about posting the hosts file simply due to its size, not that it may contain personal information .

And yes, Tony, it is large because of SpyBot having been run, and it lists the myriad 'malicious' web sites to be avoided (via using "local host" IP address).

I have run through the list and whilst there are some variations of Google, e.g. www.fgoogle.com, there are no true www.google.com or www.google.co.nz sites listed.

R.

Rickles

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#525694 26-Sep-2011 09:35

UPDATE: I started thinking that putting an entry in the hosts file (74.125.237.82 www.google.co.nz) might sort the problem (since the computer looks there before a DNS server), but then had the idea to use that IP address as IE's default Home Page .... no more problem .

Would be interesing to know why the problem strated in the first place though.

Now, anyone shed light on why IE8 will not install please?

R.

Hiamie

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#525696 26-Sep-2011 09:49

From my limited hosts file experience, you may need to put 3 entries in the host file...

74.125.237.82 http://www.google.co.nz
74.125.237.82 www.google.co.nz
74.125.237.82 google.co.nz

Additionally you may want to do same for google.com

Cheers,

Tony

Rickles

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#525700 26-Sep-2011 09:53

Thanks Tony ... I'll see how things go with just the Home Page default, and maybe update hosts file later.

Cheers all,

R.

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