IE and IE based programs only 75% operative

[nowar2go]

With Internet Explorer and any programs that rely upon it such as Outlook Express and NeoPlanet etc. The programs will operate properly for 3 minutes and then go into a 1 minute period of no response especially when it comes to browsing the internet and retrieving mail. I have tried IE repair and have kept to date with all updates. This problem began immediately on my system and I have only had it working once after reinstallation of the OS roughly 12 times. I am currently running Win98 SE with IE 6.0 . I would like to find an answer to this strange situation because as much as I dread using IE it is a necessity for many other programs to run. I just love my Mozilla Firebird, I tried the Firefox but reverted back, somrtimes newer is not better. But back to the main question, any help in removing this problem of IE only running 75% of the time would be greatly appreciated. This has been a 2 year problem. I am confident that the answer will be found here.

 

[tviman]

Need more info: your machine spec's (CPU, memory, etc.); how are you accessing the internet - modem, DSL, cable?; are you part of a network and if so, are you using ICS?; have you checked and removed all spyware and adware?; are you running a firewall and if so, what brand?; who is your ISP?

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[nowar2go]

Thanks for your quick response. The extra info is as follows, I use a Dell Pentium II 350mhz, 96mb ram, 56k modem on dialup, I'm not on a network and there is no spyware or adware on my system, and I use the following, SPYWARE BLASTER, SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY, AVG 6.0, and ZONE ALARM for a firewall. My service provider is Accesscomm.ca . I find this to be the strangest thing, I have checked the configuration of IE and the modem setup and have not found anything out of the ordinary, but I must have missed something somewhere. Thanks in advance.

 

[tviman]

First of all, you are decidedly low in memory. If you can't afford a newer PC then try to buy as much memroy as you can afford. (True, MS says that you can run W98 with 16mb of memory, but they didn't say you'd grow old before it finished booting!) Next, get rid of Zone Alarm. You're using a modem to access the 'net so you don't need a firewall - unless you've given your phone number to the interent world and allow them to dial into your PC at will. Lastly, you can have, and use, as many browsers as you want - even at the same time. Personally, I don't use, and won't use, IE - I'm a Netscape/Mozilla fan. The only time I use IE is when I absolutely HAVE TO use a web page that was designed to be used by IE only - and even then, I write the company expressing my dislike at being forced to use a specific browser to view their web pages. (I really hate it when this happens because it's so unnecessary.)

If all else fails, strip IE6 from your machine, clean the registry of IE references, and download IE6 from the Microsoft web site. For info on how to do this, go to Microsoft's Knolwedge Base.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[nowar2go]

I have previously performed all of the steps you have described with no effect. I would remove Zonealarm except for the reason that it's not so much a problem of others trying to access my computer, but more so the sneaky programs that like to get out of my system to either autoupdate or for whatever else. It's nice to know that I have some control over these programs connecting without my approval. I'm glad to here that you are a Mozilla user, I find the functionality of it to be 10 times that of IE. I suppose the reason I would like IE to run at 100% efficiency is that it's an itch I can't scratch. I'm wondering if my explanation of the problem may have been a bit vague, all programs that rely upon IE will run for exactly 180 seconds and then stop for exactly 60 seconds then resume for 180 seconds then stop for 60 seconds, this clockwork effect is continuous except during a software download, then it will run without interuption. It's got me puzzled. I thankyou for your efforts all the same.

 

[micker377]

Remove ZoneAlarm? I use dial-up and get about 5 "hits" a day. The only way you don't need a Firewall, is if you are on cable or DSL which uses a hardware Firewall.

 

[tviman]

What programs are causing the start-stop situation? If it's a browser problem then it should be doing this for EVERY page you visit - not just 25% of them. I'm now thinking that it might be something in those programs.

micker377 -

The only way you don't need a Firewall, is if you are on cable or DSL which uses a hardware Firewall.

Not true! Some providers automatically supply a "firewall" of sorts but most do not. I use Sprint's dsl service and they DO NOT have a firewall. I don't know what to tell you about your dial-up. Until I switched to dsl, I never got a hit through a dial-up modem - and my business uses the internet all day.

Although not impossible, the structure of an analog phone system all but disallows it. I'd bet that the "hits" you receive come from your ISP since you're connected to their modems, then in turn to their servers, not directly to their backbone.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[dearingkr]

I don't think IE is your problem. It is probably another program.

Try this:

Click START | RUN
Type 'msconfig' and enter

This program lists everything that loads on startup.
Keep disabling items and rebooting until your problem goes away.

I believe you'll find your problem this way.

 

[tviman]

I think dearingkr is on the right track. The more I think about it, the more I think it's not an IE problem. However, it may not necessarily be caused by a program in the start-up file.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[nowar2go]

I'm going to try out dearingkr's suggestion, there are alot of programs that I can rule out because the problem began on a cleanly installed Operating system with no other software installed which has got me hovering on the idea that it may be a misconfiguration in my BIOS setup or possibly a need for some type of Windows tweak. I greatly appreciate the response and advise all you fellows have offered. Thanks Again!!!

 

[TekTippy4U]

see if any of the fixes here apply;

http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/problems/performance.htm

BTW, a software firewall will keep Adware/Malware(if it gets in) from dialing OUT(if configured correctly).....unlike a router/hardware firewall, which will protect you from incoming attacks very nicely using NAT

Also what is your TIF files cache folder size???
and when you say it stops working.....an ActiveX object in your Downloaded Programs Files folder may be calling home...

You should consider raising your security levels in IE and OE...

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/restricted.htm

for IE and peruse the dropdown menu at top for more specific info

http://web.brandeis.edu/pages/view/Bio/OutlookExpressSecurity

for OE

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs