IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I get the following error whenever I close a page down from Internet Explorer. I press OK and close down “google”. When I open it up it continues OK.

DDE Server Window: iexplore.exe -
Application Error
The instruction at \”0x749860b0\” referenced memory at \”0×00000000\”. The memory could not be \”read\”.
Click on OK to terminate the program

Again this sounds like a spyware problem. You need to scan for an infection.

It is also possible Internet Explorer is damaged. To fix this, visit our Fixing Damaged Windows Files page.

“When attempting to download images from some websites, I am asked to download a program “Video ActiveX”. Do you know if it is safe to allow this program to my PC?

Also, when I try to cancel the image download, I am not able to without accessing Task Manager and closing Internet Explorer. Can you advise an alternate method?”

Both of these problems indicate a spyware infection. Active X downloads are the favourite methods of spyware writers. Firefox and Opera don’t have built in support for Active X and this is why we recommend them over Internet Explorer.

You must check your computer for spyware. We’ve previously posted the instructions to do this. We’d also strongly recommend you stop using Internet Explorer and start using an alternative browser.

I’m using Windows XP Pro Service Pack 1. The system is often very slow changing from one page to another, especially on Ebay.

I can select a favourite search in MyEbay and the new page sits there blank white with an hourglass and no activity on the data in & out meter. Hit refresh and it comes up immediately for a second and then goes blank again. This has lost us a few good buys on Ebay cause it wouldn’t go to the next page quickly.

Progressively getting worse, used to be perfect. Now on 1500k/sec connection.

Ta Geoff

Hi Geoff, we assume you are using Internet Explorer. It’s possible the phishing filter is interfering with the site. We’ve discussed this previously where it’s caused problems and we’d suggest turning it off.

You may want to check you aren’t infected with spyware. One favourite trick of spyware writers is to redirect web browsers so it looks like they are coming from somewhere else and this is exactly the sort of problem they can create. Try the XCleaner online scan tool.

Other things that could be causing it are toolbars with various phishing and malware filters. The Google and Yahoo! toolbars are quite capable of this. You can either uninstall them or disable them.

I don’t seem to have any temporary internet files. When I go into disc cleanup no files are shown. I used to have many folders with these files in them.

I have windows XP.

Regards Caryl

Hi Caryl,

Given your web browser is working you almost certainly will have some temporary Internet files. It may be that you’re not using Internet Explorer, programs like Firefox, Opera and Safari save their temporary files to another location.

If you are using IE, then it might be that someone has set it to delete temporary files when you close it.

You can check all of this by going into the Internet Explorer and clicking Tools, options and Advanced. The setting to clear temporary files is under the Security heading.

When I start my MSN Premium email, it starts and then just hangs with the butterfly flapping its wings.

We’ve also encountered this when sending and receiving email in MSN. It appears to be a problem with the upgrade to version 9.5.

To fix this, you need to download a patch that repairs the problem.

Go the following website in MSN, if you can’t open MSN then use Internet Explorer.

http://autoupdate.msn.com/fix95upgrade.hta

Click on the box that says “Click here to fix MSN 9.5 Upgrade Issue”.

You might receive a security message asking you if you want to allow this program to run. Click Yes or Ok as the case may be.

You will receive a message informing you that the problem has been fixed.

Restart the computer.

Help! My MSN mail is running slow.

We’ve found the Phishing filter built into Internet Explorer 7 slows MSN down horribly. While the phishing filter is a good idea, it’s execution is less than perfect.

To turn it off open the Tools menu, select Phishing Filter, and then click Phishing Filter Settings. In the box that appears, under Phishing Filter, select Disable Phishing Filter.

There’s more information of the Internet Explorer phishing filter at Microsoft’s website.

Recently my computer has started slowing to a halt after a few minutes use, when it does I press CTR-ALT-DEL and find my computer is using 100% of resources. What can I do?

This appears to be a problem with the Microsoft Update service. The immediate fix is to open Windows Update, go to the Change Settings links, scroll down and the option to Stop Using Microsoft Update is at the bottom.

If it continues, you can disable Automatic Updates in the Control Panel. Choose Turn off Automatic Updates. Microsoft have further instructions at their website.

It appears NVidia drivers can cause this problem as well as discussed in this thread on the Microsoft usenet groups. We’d suggest calling a computer technician before uninstalling IDE or RAID drivers as this can render your computer unusable.

Problems like this can take some time to troubleshoot, so it’s best to start with the simplest and obvious first.

Good luck.

My Internet Explorer 7 window keeps shutting down by itself. What could be the cause of this problem? I am using Windows XP on a Centrino Duo Laptop.

Thank you!

First of all you need to clean to clean up your browser. First of all, uninstall all toolbar packages, search assistants and similar things that might be loading up with Internet Explorer.

Next, clean out your temporary files. Internet Explorer has a horrible habit of accumulating too much. We recommend using the excellent Cleanup! tool. Make sure you read the instructions before running it.

The next step is to make sure you don’t have any spyware on your computer. We recommend running the free online XScan to start with. If it detects any spyware then you’ll need something stronger like Spybot, Adaware, AVG or a visit from your local computer tech.

If the problem still persists it’s worthwhile uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 and returning to IE6.

It’s also worthwhile running the System File Checker while the computer is in IE6, you can do this by clicking Start, Run and typing SFC /scannow this does take some time and you may be asked to provide your original Windows XP disk.

If the scannow and revert to IE6 work, then reinstall IE7 and see if the problem is then cleared.

Good luck

Currently I can receive and post email however when opening internet explorer 7 I cannot display web pages unless I \”Pause\” Kaspersky.  Any suggestions appreciated

Regards,

Barry 

Hi Barry,

I assume by Kaspersky you mean Kaspersky Internet Security.

What’s happening is the firewall has blocked the program from accessing the net. If the firewall doesn’t trust the program then it won’t let connect. This is what a firewall is supposed to do and why a firewall is an important part of protecting your computer from malware.

Like all firewalls, you can manually change the settings, Kaspersky have the instructions at their website. When you click “add” to the trusted the file path should be %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe. 

While IE7 is a good browser, we’d still suggest you use Opera or Firefox for day-to-day browsing and only use Internet Explorer for sites that won’t work with the other two.

Good luck

When I click on my Windows Explorer I get a new screen rather that the old one. This new screen warns me of a risk to my security level. I use PC-ciilin already. This new one appears to be a windows explorer security service and tells me I should download asoftware called “Spi Heal” and “Dr Antispy”. Is this a legitimate warning and should I download it. When I close it, my wndows explorer screen closes so I can’t use the internet. Should I get rid of it and, if so, how?

Geoff

Hi Geoff,

You’ve got a spyware infection.

The first step is to do a quick scan using an online scanning program like the XClean online scan. We’d recommend downloading it then restarting in safe mode and running the spyware scan.

Unfortunately these type of warnings usually indicate a fairly advanced infection. Once you’ve cleaned it, it might be worthwhile to run a system restore to an earlier point which will hopefully not be infected.

If you continue getting these messages, you’ll need to call your local friendly computer tech. Make sure you back up your important data as it might be best to reformat your computer.