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Beware: Major Rant
I have used Internet Explorer in various versions since I started using the Internet. Right now, I am using IE6, I don’t want to go to IE7 until I’m sure the kinks are all worked out.
Well, that day may never come...
Yesterday, Microsoft had an update to fix some problems they found that would let various bad things happen, so I did the update. Now, I can’t even access my own page without gettiing “program not responding“. It’s not just IE, but anything I am trying to do within Windows itself. Not even Outlook Express will let me read my E-mail if I need to open a window for an attachment.
It seems that when I try to bring up say, My Computer and any program in that category, I get the same thing. I checked system stats and whatever I am using starts to use 100% of System Resources. That means I can’t use my computer for anything other than staring at it like a TV.
When I first noticed the problem, I wasn’t even getting any sound, you know all the beeps and bops and clicks that let you know something is happening. I did a System Restore to an earlier date and got the sound back, but everything else is still a problem.
Even when I try to restart or shut down the computer, it hangs on “saving settings” and will not complete the process.
The only reason I can get this published at all is I accessed my WordPress account through FireFox. It normally runs slower than IE6, but at least it works.
I have no idea how to fix this. It is more than irritating, it keeps me from doing any work. If I can’t work, I can’t make any money. If I can’t make any money I’ll starve to death. Now how will that make Bill Gates feel?
Has anyone else run into this problem with the latest Windows, MS, IE update? Any ideas on how to fix it?
Update: While I was writing this I got a notice from auto-updates that there is another Update ready for my computer. I’m afraid to download it. I think I’ll wait, that is why I have it set to notify me and not autodownload.
Update II: I did do the download for the newest update and the same thing happened. I had to restore again…
Update III: I got a visit to this post from Microsoft.com.  Whoever it was stayed 47 min 6 sec and did look at my Home and About pages, so I know it wasn’t a Bot. I have not gotten a comment or E-mail from them so far, but here’s hoping.Â
6 Comments
What version of Windows are your running, Joe? I’ve installed this on XP Home and XP Pro, both with IE6. I didn’t have any problems on either of them.
Hey Rick,
I have XP Home and I’m using IE6.
What’s weird is if I go in through FireFox, I have no problems. It’s somewhere w/i windows I think. Why else am I having problems with Control Panel etc?
I did try the update twice and had the same problem both times, now I turned off auto-update.
Joe
It sounds like the problem may have something to do with IE. Control panel, and I believe some other Windows components, use parts of IE for their display.
Did you try the IE7 beta at some point, or some addon for IE6?
Hey Rick,
I\’m sure that Windows uses Explorer for applications within itself. It may be a variation, but Explorer is Explorer.
I haven\’t tried IE7 yet, and I\’m not sure I want to if a small updated causes this many problems.
Joe
BTW did you read Update III in the post, it seems Microsoft has looked at the post. Nothing yet, but they were here.
J.
No, I hadn’t seen Update III. I hope something visible comes of it.
I wasn’t recommending IE7. I asked because if you had used it I thought it may have had something to do with your problem (not that I’ve heard anything, I just don’t trust betas software in general, especially something with its hooks in the OS as deep as IE).
Microsoft.com has been back 2 more times since the last update and they went to my contact page, but I still haven’t heard anything.
Maybe they’re trying to figure out what I’m talking about? If so they should just ask
As far as IE7, I think I’ll wait…
Joe