Internet Problem

[tra.la]

I have a recurring problem when browsing the internet. I have windows XP and internet explorer 7. Sometimes when I am either navigating to a different site via a link or when I close IE the screen just goes blank, an error message comes up and all internet tabs are closed. It is totally unpredictable when it will happen. It happens often enough to be annoying - maybe 4-6 times an hour.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can fix it?

TRA-LA

[Sl4x0r]

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

See if that helps :P

[Lovefist233]

I've been using firefox for months now as my windows box is down and I can't see what all the fuss is about, it does the same job as IE but looks less sexy

[Sl4x0r]

Well yeah - but Tra.la was having problems with IE... Worth trying another browser to see if it's software or not...

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[tra.la]

Thanks guys.

After I posted the message I decided to try different anti-virus / firewall / Spyware. It hasn't happened since then... :D

[jeaffro]

Stick with IE, Firefox is crap

[Hosser]

Why not try Opera (www.opera.com) instead? Unlike Firefox it doesn't have a massive fanboy following and is less likely to attract the attention of malware writers due to its smaller market share.

Also, it has the fewest security holes, it's the most standards-compliant and many unique and has nifty features that the other browsers lack (Speed Dial anyone?)

[denismartindale]

Try the Enigma Web Browser:

http://www.suttondesigns.com/

[bouncyb]

Has anyone considered a possible virus infection or adware/spyware infection?

[denismartindale]

I used Internet Explorer till I encountered similar problems. So I
switched to the Enigma Browser. I haven't had any problems since.
My PC antivirus/spyware checks can't find any longterm problems.
I get reports of low risk problems and the location of these

Windows\\Temporary Internet Files and Windows\\Cookies files.

eg press Windows key plus F for Find, I search and delete from
these specific folders NOT from C drive! I click Browse then select
C drive then Windows then Temporary Internet Files.

Scan for *.ico *.php *.swf *.js *.jsp (nb * means any file name)

and then press Ctrl plus A to select all.

Lots of Temporary Internet images could be 1 kb in size. So I scan
for *.jpg *.gif *.png *.bmp to erase these from the list. NB click the
Size tab to get the listing from 0 kb, then 1 kb and I scroll down
and select these small files to erase them.

I use the Eraser program to shred these permanently.
I right-click then select Erase. I then Browse C drive then Windows
then Cookies and scan for *.txt and select which Cookies are safe
to erase. I then start over. Real time attacks are reported and then
allow me to shut them down. If any suspect downloads have been
reported, I can choose not to load these.

I use these programs: Avast, AVG Free Edition, Spy Guardian,
SuperAntiSpyware, Spyware Doctor plus Lavasoft's Adaware plus
Search and Destroy. I regularly update the programs and run
full search style PC scans. Reduce the times for these by erasing
the usually reported suspect file extensions first. Some programs
quarantine suspect files yet allow you to end a quarantine later.

Another problem is when shutting down incorrectly. The PC starts
over then searches for errors before loading its Startup Programs.
You can run your Disk Scan and help the PC function safely.
You could run the Disk Scan or the Defragmentation with Windows
key then Programs then Accessories then System Tools...

To get the Disk Scan to run correctly...
I found I had to use Ctrl Alt Delete (right of Enter key) to list
all running programs then close these down till I saw these two:
Explorer and Systray or any similar named program.

Ctrl Alt Delete is vital. Get used to checking running programs.
Apart from the virus programs etc, what's running? Find out
before you surf the Internet and start logging in somewhere.
Maybe something's slowing you down or checking your key
presses for usernames and passwords. Find out about the
protection against Keyloggers and Malware, Trojans etc...

Computing isn't guaranteed and neither is the use of the Internet.
So close down programs not being used to reduce problems,
highlight and copy typed text before clicking Submit or Send.

Besides these suggestions, Internet Explorer has a REPAIR option
that could help. Windows key then Settings then Control Panel.
Select Run or Remove Programs. Select Microsoft Internet Explorer
to remove. It offers the REPAIR option. Select that and let it do
what it does. Test Internet Explorer. If problems persist then check
for viruses etc or switch and test another Web Browser as was
suggested eg Avant or Firefox or Opera or Enigma...

[Lovefist233]

I've never heard of enigma, can you get a flash plugin for it?

[denismartindale]

http://www.suttondesigns.com/

It says it can play Flash Animations as you choose eg ON or OFF.
This is set with Tools/Download Controls/Enable Flash Animation.
Do this before you try to load a web page, test the results and
reset to ON if required. When OFF, I saw a tiny graphic in the
top left corner ie no image or animation shown.

Enigma is a slim version of Internet Explorer.

Shockwave Flash Animation files such as *.swf should therefore
play as they would already on Internet Explorer.

Example:

Newsletter from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips led to
this forum:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=5896968#post5896968

and it recommended this shockwave game:

http://www.shockwave.com/content/shuffle/sis/shuffle.swf

http://www.shockwave.com/content/shuffle/sis/shuffle.swf

NB PC users: Press F11 for a large screen display, F11 to reset.

Visit the swf URL and see if you can play the game...

If not, visit http://www.google.com/

Search for Flash Animation and check your Operating System
to find the latest download options.