Pages Freeze

[Noodles]

Hi

I've just donloaded 30 critical updates for my PC

which included internet explorer 8. Now when I use the

internet, web pages freeze for a few seconds. I like to multi

task and have a few tabs open at once, but when I click from 1 tab

to another it freezes for a moment, maybe 10 seconds, then goes back to normal.

I've done a speed test and it looks ok considering it's TOT, so I'm thinking

its the new updates, maybe internet explorer 8?

Should I uninstall 8 and replace it with 7, or will a system restore be better?

Thanks

Edited July 20, 2009 by Noodles

[sbk]

Have you checked your CPU usage and Physical memory usage when you have these problems? Start task manager and click on the performance tab.

[verydumbubba]

PC spec & O/S would be a help. D/L FF and see if it goes away.

Bubba

[Randell]

PC spec & O/S would be a help. D/L FF and see if it goes away.

Bubba

I am undergoing the OP's same problem with much the same set up conditions. I don't understand what you mean here. Would you clarify please. I don't follow your abreviations. Thanks Randell

[BuckBee]

IE8 seems to be typical Micro$hite software, try going back to IE7 or go for Firefox 3.0.11 (superb browser when matched with the plugins)

I use Firefox on my notebook via Phone as a GPRS modem (DTAC) & Firefox loading times are better than IE7, I accidentally installed IE8, within 24hrs I was back to IE7.

With Micro$hite, new ain't always better !

OS = operating system

DL = download

FF = Firefox

Get firefox here: (I would not use latest 3.5.1 Firefox release as many plugins are not compatible yet & best to use good stable versions for testing)

ENGLISH UK - http://hyperion.zih.tu-dresden.de/moz/fire...up%203.0.11.exe

ENGLISH US - http://mozilla-mirror.3347.voxcdn.com/pub/...up%203.0.11.exe

THAI - http://mozilla-mirror.3347.voxcdn.com/pub/...up%203.0.11.exe

Edited July 20, 2009 by BuckBee

[webfact]

I suspect the culprit is within your browser add-ons.

If you use FF2 or FF3 - start it in "safe mode" and check whether pages freeze or not.

If not debug your add-ons. disable/enable one by one to find the culprit

If you use IE7 /(guess it works for IE8 too)

Right click the IE7 icon on the Desktop and select "Start without add-ons".

Alternative:

- type iexplore -extoff in the start --->run box

- find it in the start -->all programs --->desktop acccessories ---> system management

If it works OK now, use Tools ---->Manage add-ons to find the culprit.

addition: you mention multi-tasking. It gives me the impression your PC might be low of memory and cant handle the task.

So, all is waiting in the pipe to get its turn. Read sbk post!!!

Edited July 21, 2009 by webfact

[jgm005]

Lengthy response ...

It has been reported by a number of folks that going to IE8 has caused problems as you noted with your situation. Here is some information that may be of help. It is from a weekly news letter I receive and it has had a number of articles on IE8

========

Simple fixes for problems related to IE 8

Dennis O'Reilly By Dennis O'Reilly

If the installation of Internet Explorer 8 knocks your Windows desktop for a loop, you may be able to repair things without having to revert to an earlier version of the browser.

Restoring explorer.exe or refreshing your network connection could be all that's required to return a shattered system to working order.

Every software installation or update is fraught with peril. You never know when a relatively minor system change will cascade into a big-time headache.

In the June 11 Known Issues column, computer repairman Bob Millard described how he restored several XP notebook systems for his clients after the installation of IE 8 resulted in blank desktops (no icons, no nothing). We subsequently heard from several readers who offered additional, straightforward solutions to similar problems that IE 8 had induced or worsened. Travis Walden's approach, which restarts Windows' Explorer shell, is about as simple as fixes get:

* "I had a similar issue with my laptop after installing IE 8. However, I came across a much easier solution. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up Task Manager. Click File, New Task (Run). Type explorer and press Enter. This brings up the desktop icons, taskbar, Start menu, and everything else that failed to launch on my laptop."

David C. Battistoli's problem was somewhat different, but his solution was similarly quick and effective:

* "I recently read the tip submitted by Bob Millard, written up by Dennis O'Reilly, and published in Issue 201. Although we had rather different circumstances, there were a few similarities — mostly, no network of any kind and no icons on the desktop. (I never tried to access any USB devices, so I don't know whether or not they were affected.)

"This was on a friend's Vista laptop, and the problem just seemed to happen of its own accord. I started working on it and doing the various voodoo tasks often necessary to get a Windows system running again. When in Safe Mode with Networking, I had a desktop and a system, but still no networking. There were other possible clues, but the biggest one was that the EventLog service was stopped and couldn't be started. When I tried to start it manually, Windows displayed Error 1747.

"It turns out that the TCP/IP stack had become corrupt. In this case, I was able to open a command prompt (by right-clicking it and selecting "Run as Administrator") and use the command netsh winsock reset [and press Enter]. The system needed to restart, but after that it worked fine.

"This has been a problem I've encountered since early WinXP days. It's quite rare, doesn't seem to have any particular rhyme or reason, and I'd really hoped that Vista would have fixed it. Still, it's a rather benign (albeit annoying) problem with a pretty easy solution."

Robert A. Palmer believes the IE 8 problems that Bob Millard and others reported on may involve more than meets the eye:

* "Just a quick comment on the reported IE 8 install issues. From the description of the problems, it sounds as if these computers had pre-existing issues exposed by the installation of IE 8 rather than problems caused by IE 8 itself. Remember that IE 8 is an integral part of the OS and as such is only as stable as the underlying health of the OS.

"In 17 years of supporting computers and networks in a Windows environment, I've found more often than not that major patches, updates, etc., seldom have major holes glaring back at you. If an update installs on 99% of computers with no issues, you can't defame it for the failure to install on 1% of computers. It's like saying that exercise is bad because in 1% of the population it may cause death."

As with most Microsoft updates, IE 8 will install without a hitch on the vast majority of PCs. Still, if you're one of the unlucky few whose system is hosed by a Windows update, the only thing you're interested in is getting the fix as soon as possible.

As Robert points out, some updates may uncover problems that existed on the machine beforehand but weren't apparent. Microsoft can't guarantee that updates it releases will be problem-free. Still, when problems arise, we owe it to our readers to publish workarounds to any glitches that affect a substantial number of Windows users.

Bootable utilities enhance PC troubleshooting

Bob Millard's solution to his clients' IE 8-related problems involved the use of PC troubleshooting programs. Klaus Liebold is curious about these tools:

* "Bob Millard claims 'The only way I could get them back was by using one of my bootable utilities that would allow me access to the restore points.' Any chance of finding out what those utilities are? I would love to buy just one and I'm sure that most of your readers would be interested as well."

Keep your money in your wallet, Klaus. You don't have to buy a bootable troubleshooting utility — some of the best of these tools are available for free. WS contributing editor Mark Edwards reviewed four such programs in his Aug. 14, 2008, PC Tune-Up column. The best programs scan for malware in addition to recovering PCs that fail to boot up.

Looking for the feel-good Windows stories

It can be tough to sound cheerful when you write about PC problems, security threats, and the questionable practices of some vendors. That's why we sympathize with Jim Elder when he responds to the somber tone of so many articles:

* "When you do have bad news to report — and you will — I'd hope you will have some depth. The piece titled "Problems confirmed with Vista Service Pack 2" gave an example of a single guy with a problem. How many thousands of people have installed Vista SP2? All you could identify was one guy?

"If you're going to warn me about a problem, I'd appreciate a little more credibility than just one guy who had a bad experience. If one guy's bad experience was enough to hold me back, I'd never install or purchase anything. I expect a little more credibility from a professionally published newsletter. I can get the one-unhappy-guy coverage from any number of user forums. (Conversely, I'd expect a "run out and get this now" article to be based on more than a single user's good impressions.)

"Anyway, thanks for listening to my hopefully constructive criticism. I do appreciate the newsletter."

Rest assured, if you see a problem covered in Windows Secrets, we've heard about it from many readers, though for the sake of brevity our article may quote only one.

IE8 seems to be typical Micro$hite software, try going back to IE7 or go for Firefox 3.0.11 (superb browser when matched with the plugins)

I use Firefox on my notebook via Phone as a GPRS modem (DTAC) & Firefox loading times are better than IE7, I accidentally installed IE8, within 24hrs I was back to IE7.

With Micro$hite, new ain't always better !

OS = operating system

DL = download

FF = Firefox

Get firefox here: (I would not use latest 3.5.1 Firefox release as many plugins are not compatible yet & best to use good stable versions for testing)

ENGLISH UK - http://hyperion.zih.tu-dresden.de/moz/fire...up%203.0.11.exe

ENGLISH US - http://mozilla-mirror.3347.voxcdn.com/pub/...up%203.0.11.exe

THAI - http://mozilla-mirror.3347.voxcdn.com/pub/...up%203.0.11.exe

[verydumbubba]

Good practice is to always harden your primary install, then leave it be.

That goes for any M$ or Linux O/S. If you are playing around ... well thats up-to-you.

If you have a perfectly good running automobile - why mess with it?

Bubba

PS Lose IE

[Noodles]

Have you checked your CPU usage and Physical memory usage when you have these problems? Start task manager and click on the performance tab.

CPU usage is fine and physical memory, I have 3 gig of ram on the PC. I have run all the spyware and virus tests

and thats all ok too. OS is win XP Professional.

Edited July 21, 2009 by Noodles

[MikeWill]

What about your graphics' card/drivers?

[Noodles]

What about your graphics' card/drivers?

Radeon X1950,

Even when I write now it somtimes takes a while for the writing to appear

on the screen. I'm going to go into safe mode and look into add on's.

Will report back

[webfact]

What about your graphics' card/drivers?

Radeon X1950,

Even when I write now it somtimes takes a while for the writing to appear

on the screen. I'm going to go into safe mode and look into add on's.

Will report back

does the mouse pointer move properly or does it freeze too?

[Noodles]

What about your graphics' card/drivers?

Radeon X1950,

Even when I write now it somtimes takes a while for the writing to appear

on the screen. I'm going to go into safe mode and look into add on's.

Will report back

does the mouse pointer move properly or does it freeze too?

Mouse pointer is fine

Thanks

[verydumbubba]

Clearly it is d/l related, dont change a bunch of unrelated drivers, etc

Restore to a previous point

Bubba

[Noodles]

Ok I run iexplore -extoff in safe mode. The problem

is still here when going back to normal mode.

Shall I system restore to a prvious date?

Thanks

[BuckBee]

I would try downgrade to IE7 before doing a restore as they have been known to cause as many problems as they cure.

I had similar problems to you on IE8 & my system is also XP pro.

I don't use IE as my main internet explorer as I prefer Firefox.

I would try downgrading browser first & when/if you get it all working well don't be too keen on updating without researching them first.

Edited July 21, 2009 by BuckBee

[Noodles]

Hi

It turms out it was the add-ons for skype that I installed earlier that day.

So I have disabled the add-ons for this program and everthing is running smoothly again.

Many thanks for all your help

[verydumbubba]

Why dont you post them here so that others might learn?

Bubba

BTW - Its simple logic to set a RP before you mess with the system.

[Noodles]

Why dont you post them here so that others might learn?

Bubba

BTW - Its simple logic to set a RP before you mess with the system.

Skype Addon is 'Mastermind"

Mess with the system?

[webfact]

Why dont you post them here so that others might learn?

Bubba

BTW - Its simple logic to set a RP before you mess with the system.

Skype Addon is 'Mastermind"

Mess with the system?

You confirmed what I suspected in my earlier post. Culprit = add-on.

I guess 'mess with the system' means every time you run M$ updates set a restore point....

but isn't that done automatically when it comes to M$ updates? Not sure.

Edited July 21, 2009 by webfact

[Randell]

I suspect the culprit is within your browser add-ons.

If you use FF2 or FF3 - start it in "safe mode" and check whether pages freeze or not.

If not debug your add-ons. disable/enable one by one to find the culprit

If you use IE7 /(guess it works for IE8 too)

Right click the IE7 icon on the Desktop and select "Start without add-ons".

Alternative:

- type iexplore -extoff in the start --->run box

- find it in the start -->all programs --->desktop acccessories ---> system management

If it works OK now, use Tools ---->Manage add-ons to find the culprit.

addition: you mention multi-tasking. It gives me the impression your PC might be low of memory and cant handle the task.

So, all is waiting in the pipe to get its turn. Read sbk post!!!

Thanks again webfact it turned out to be an add on an AVG update so far so good. It worked fine with out add on so went in and looked for the most current updates and tried the most recent and that seemed to do it no more small hangs. I certainly do appreciate being able to ask this form for help and get such quick expertise. Randell

[torrenova]

I had it earlier today after leaving the PC on for 48 hours and downloaded some updates. Hanging a fraction of a second. Rebooted and had some web connection issues (unrelated) and sorted those out and now ok.