IE history pulldown is broken

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wile_E_Coyote
  • Start date Start date
W

Wile_E_Coyote

Since today, the pulldown history menu (selectable down-arrow) next to the
address bar in IE has not been working. The history menu under
View->Explorer Bar does contain the correct history, though. When I select
the history pulldown, I see it flash for a second, but it disappears.

Also, after I select the pulldown (failing to see the history list), the
browser cannot be selected with the left mouse button, until I select/click
the left mouse button over the browser 3 times (I remember this from the
Wizard of Oz ;) ). I can't say if this was a problem before, but I've just
noticed it now that I have the first problem (history pulldown won't appear).

I did a database search, and found another entry with a similar (not the
same) problem, and the solution appeared to be to disable Active-X in McAfee.
I don't have McAfee (Norton came on my laptop), so that isn't the problem
here.

Thanks for your help,
WEC
 
Full Windows version? IE version? What Norton application is installed and
is your subscription current?
 
Thanks for responding.

Full windows: I believe so. I bought the laptop from HP.
IE: version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300
Norton: Internet Security and Protection Center. Subscription has lapsed.

I just noticed in the version number above the string 'sp2'. I suspect that
means Service Pack 2. Since the IE version is what came with the machine, I
suspect SP2 is on the machine.

I ran a search for my problem on the u-soft site, and found a reference that
suggested re-installing IE. When I ran 'sfc' it asked for a SP2 disk. I
don't have such a disk, and a search on my machine for the string
"ServicePack" returned nothing. The u-soft web site doesn't seem to offer
SP2 (just SP3), and I'd like to avoid installing SP3 to avoid the risks of
introducing new problems. If re-installing IE makes sense, how do I get
around/past the need for an SP2 disk/directory?

Other solutions welcome.
 
Wile_E_Coyote said:
Thanks for responding.

Full windows: I believe so. I bought the laptop from HP.
IE: version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300
Norton: Internet Security and Protection Center. Subscription has lapsed.

I just noticed in the version number above the string 'sp2'. I suspect that
means Service Pack 2. Since the IE version is what came with the machine, I
suspect SP2 is on the machine.

I ran a search for my problem on the u-soft site, and found a reference that
suggested re-installing IE. When I ran 'sfc' it asked for a SP2 disk. I
Click to expand...

The solution suggested running Ie.inf rather than 'sfc'....
 
Norton: Internet Security and Protection Center. Subscription has lapsed.

It's impossible to trust the security of this machine now. Format &
reinstall Windows.

After doing so, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so make
certain you take care of EVERYTHING on the following web-page before
otherwise connecting the machine to the internet (i.e., to browse, check
email, chat):

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

NB: You'll probably find the Norton free-trial available again: It will NOT
be valid! Before installing a new anti-virus application:

1. Uninstall anything named Norton and LiveUpdate via Add/Remove Programs.

2. Download/run this removal tool and reboot:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
 
Hello,

Try running it with add-ons disabled. Start Internet
Explorer as normal, Tools, Manage Add-ons, Enable or Disable Add-ons.
Disable all the add-ons, restart IE and enable them one by one till the
problem appears and you get the culprit.
 
PA Bear said:
It's impossible to trust the security of this machine now. Format &
reinstall Windows.
Click to expand...

I've read the CERT bulletin, and I think I'm still secure. The bulletin
states,

"A hardware-based firewall provides a high degree of protection for new
computers being brought online.

If you are connecting your computer behind a firewall or router that
provides Network Address Translation (NAT), ...... you may not need to
additionally enable a software firewall."

Since I use a NAT router, I should be ok. Also, the Norton subscription was
for anti-virus software. The Norton Security firewall has remained active.
Since Yahoo is my email client, and I don't use an email client on the
laptop, there should be no
way for a virus to get onto my computer.

I there any way to diagnose the IE history menu issue? Does u-soft offer a
diagnostic tool, for example? I haven't been able to find one on the web
site. I
could re-install IE, but I still have the SP2 disk problem.

WEC
 
Gents,

I'm not quite sure how, but the problem seems to have cleared itself up. I
haven't done anything differently today as compared to yesterday, but the
history pulldown now works.

Thanks for your help,
WEC
 
A NAT firewall does NOT protect you if you download & open an infected file
or email!
 
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