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IE 6 freezes when using address bar

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by jollyfe

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After I open Internet Explorer, and click in the address bar to add an address, I'm only able to type in two letters and the PC begins to search for a floppy then freezes up. After ending the task in the task manager, and reopening IE, I can then type a URL in the address bar. The same problem happens when I open "My Computer".

10 replies

by ideafixer

Have you ran a virus scan? Do that first then Run SFC.exe in your c:\windows\system folder to look for any currupt system files.

by lizzy

Make sure that Microsoft's Find Fast is not starting in start up. This will seek the floppy also and sometimes lock up the PC. It does NOT need to be in start up.

Go to Start, Programs, Startup and see what's loading there. This is for Windows9x OS's. Please post a comment for NT systems for specific directions to start up on them.
HTH

by lizzy

Hi again,
Hmmm, let's look for something else. If the virus scan didn't turn up anything, you probably have "spyware" running in the background and when you open IE to the Internet, it starts doing its polling and data sending. Do a search for ADAWARE FREE ANTI-SPYWARE and download and install it. Common spyware examples are Trojans, GATOR, Super Coupon Saver, Web Shots. These programs need to be uninstalled and any files left by them deleted from the system. Delete all .TMP (temp) files onthe PC. Scan and defrag the system once they've been identified and removed. Reboot. I think that this will solve your problem. Other things to check and remove--Recent files from My Documents--go to Start, Settings, Taskbar..., second tab, press the Clear button to make sure that all recent document references are removed. Make sure that all Windows Update Security patches are installed for your OS and IE. Make sure that file sharing is not enabled on the local PC. Make sure only the necessary protocols are installed, usually just TCP\IP, and remove any unnecessary protocols.

by jollyfe

Well, still no luck. This also happens when I try to do a search (find). As soon as I type one character in the name box the floppy starts to run and then the machine freezes up. The floppy is not selected in the "look in" bar.

by lizzy

What programs are running when this happens and exactly what are you doing? Press CTRL+ALT+DEL ONE TIME to open the task manager and see what programs are running. Listed programs should be something like:
Explorer == Windows (explorer.exe)
Systray == System tray by clock (systray.exe)
Exploring == Windows Explorer

If you see anything unusual, please tell us what it is. You can also search for it on your local hard drive (all of C:\) by going to Start, Find, Files and Folders, and typing in what ever you see running that you don't know what it is. Follow the name of the running file by ".EXE" or "*.*" w\out the quotes. Then highlight the file found and right click it and choose Properties. You should then get a dialog windowthat allows you to see origination information on the file. Try it with some known files to see what it can say, because if it's KLEZ virus, it can show different bogus files running with no info provided. The file names can change with every bootof the system.

Also, did you check for those other programs like gator and coupon saver? Did you check your network configuration applet in the control panel to see what protocols are installed?

Please post a comment to your question rather than rejecting my answers until the resolution is found. I will be notified when you post a comment.

by lizzy

Also, when you post a comment, please give more system information such as:
OS (exact windows version)
HDD size
MHz (system speed)
Network or dial up connection to internet
Modem or NIC
Make of PC

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