Internet Explorer refuses to start

I did a search and found nothing, but if I missed something I apologize.

First, my computer specs:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2(note: when the problem first started Service Pack 1 was installed.)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 520, 2800 MHz (14 x 200)
Motherboard Name Asus PTGD1-LA (3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Grantsdale i915P
System Memory 512 MB
BIOS Type AMI (07/05/04)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Next, the problem. Whenever I try to access Internet Explorer 6.0, I get the error message:
"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program:C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
This application has requested the Runtime to abort it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information." Mozilla Firefox works just fine.

I checked Microsoft's website and found nothing. I've run Norton, Stinger, Spybot: S&D, and Adaware to no effect. My father helpfully installed Service Pack 2 to no avail. Googling it found me a workaround, but no solution to the problem. The workaround is that if I go into Internet Properties>Advanced>Browsing and uncheck the box labelled "Enable third-party browser extensions (requires restart)", I can access IE. Otherwise, it just won't work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need more information, just ask, although I warn you that computers both confuse and terrify me and I may panic if you ask too technical a question. Thank you very much for your time.

 

internet option>programs>manage add-ons>disable all of them one by one.Then enable the 3rd party extension from the advanced tab>restart and open IE,try to enable known extensions like java,macromedi,adobe one by one (restarting ie each time)and see if internet explorer still works.This can help find what is the faulty plugin.There is a chance that you have an unwanted toolbar or spyware,so asking for help from the spyware forum will be a good idea.With a hijack this log you can troubleshoot browser extensions easily.Remeber to read all the read-me before you post in the spyware forum

 

Kadavill - I have the same issue, but how do I get to internet options if I can't open IE, and can't go to start/control panel? Is there a 'run' command I can use?

thanks,

Emily

PS - I've done the spyware thing in the spyware forum, and have eliminated that as a source of trouble.

 

If you can't bring up IE, try going here:

Start, settings, control panel. Then double click internet options. Then follow Kadavill's instructions.

 

OK, I'm running windows xp, but there isn't a settings option in the start menu. (the pc i'm on right now does have that however...) next option?

Emily

 

i never had settings on mine either. just start, control panel, internet options

 

Unfortunately I can't launch control panels from the start menu - i get the original error message. I can't run IE or Windows Explorer. (I can run both if I log in as another user on the machine, but not as my userid).

Thanks,

Emily

 

Emily,

If you have the Google Toolbar, uninstall it and see if that solves the problem.

Steve

 

HMM Firefox worked fine what do ya know IE is dying go here and be free,,,

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/switch


ThatswhatIknow!

 

I should have directed my post to AsukaFan. Didn't notice there was another poster.

Might work for you also Emily.

Steve

 

Errgh, sorry, I keep forgetting that I'm running XP in classic mode. Which does have a settings menu on the Start menu.

 

Indeed there is a Run command you can do.

Start, Run, type in: control (press enter)

This should bring up the control panel. If this fails, then try:

Start, Run, type in:

RunDLL32.EXE shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL inetcpl.cpl (press enter)

 

I have one, err, two? Um...words.

FireFox...

 

Do what theefool suggests.Or else...

Download autoruns
It will scan your registry for autorun dlls that loads with explorer and internet explorer.When it says ready, go to the explorer tab and highlight the items with the mouse.The details will be shown in the lower pane.Disable all dlls that are not microsofts by unchecking it.Do this also for the internet explorer tab.Restart and see if the problem prevails.

 

I un-installed the Google toolbar and I can run IE and Windows explorer now!! Thanks Steve (aka Matacumbie).

I love this forum!

Emily

 

You "should" be able to reinstall the toolbar and be fine, if you run into problems again at least you know what's causing it.

Steve