Windows XP Pro glitch I've been told

[CapeCodGal]

I've read and applied several suggested fixes for this problem I've found on this site. So far no solution. I have Windows XP Pro, IE 6 Outlook Express.

I to am experiencing links (some not all) that won't open on webpages and in my text email. But I don't get the
hand and hour glass thing happening.

I get a mini pop up which basically looks like a postage stamp size webpage with a red "X" marked across it that covers the link I just clicked on AND when it pops up there's a quick echoy sound blast and the webpage won't open.

I've done the IE update, Adware, my Gateway tech support spent an hour with me and still no go. Also included in my quest..as mentioned, recommedations on this and other sites and any troubleshooting scan I have found.

If anyone has this practicular link blocking sympton and has solved it I'd appreciate your help.

Sincerely
CapeCodGal

 

[linney]

Try some of these out for starters (this assumes you have tried all the common solutions outlined on this site).

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...windows%2Bxp&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...F-8&q=%22red+%22X%22+pop+up%22%2Bwindows%2Bxp

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Then look in your Task Manager and see if you can pick any process that is there when the Red X is, and not there when the red X isn't. If it is some program you are running such as a pop up stopper incorporated into a firewall or similar, you might need a program that can break the processes down to modules to see what is launching the red X. Sounds like it may be a long process of elimination.

http://www.faberbox.com/fabertoys.asp?action=features

List of all running processes
List of all modules loaded by a process
For each process are displayed the command line, PID, memory, number of threads, priority, version, description, Parent process
For each module are displayed the date, size, ActiveX status, version, description

I believe it will help you with positions of various windows owned by processes or modules too. (freeware)


310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

If you have some cached pages with these links included in them try them offline while in Safe Mode and see if you get the pop up then.

 

[CapeCodGal]

Well I do have a chore ahead of me. Thank you so much for the leads. When I find out if one of these worked I'll let you know incase someelse has this nightmare. It's going to take some time as you mentioned...Again thank you
CapeCodGal

 

[CapeCodGal]

So far the info you sent me has to do with a RED X.
My problem is a postage size webpage pop up WITH A Red X that blocks me from going to another webpage.

I did however check the task bar angle. I closed everything down..and went to a link I knew this would happen to....actually the link in the Tek Tip email I got saying you replied to my problem. As I mentioned before this also happens alot on webpages as well.

What is highlighted in the Processes is AcroRd32.exe Administrator

 

[linney]

What is highlighted in the Processes is AcroRd32.exe Administrator"

Not sure what you mean by the above. Acrord32.exe would be something to do with Adobe.

My main intention of assisting you was to show you how to eliminate various processes to see if the problem disappeared and to narrow down the cause.

Faber Toys would allow you to go further and possibly show you which process was sticking a postage stamp size window over a link.

Out of interest sake you might like to post a screenshot of your Red X (small web page) and a copy of your Hi-jack This log, so that some of the virus and pests experts (not me) can see what your running.

Upload a screenshot for other to see
thread779-723378

Alternatively you could cut your losses and try repairing IE or Windows, this would may not fix your problem if an installed third party program was the cause. A clean install and format would, but only until the problem process was reloaded (but that might be never).

Make sure your options in IE/ Tools/ Internet Options/ Advanced are correct. Uncheck the boxes for "Install on Demand" for IE and Other programs (two boxes).

Try running temporarily with the third box "Enable Third Party Browser Extensions" unchecked and see how this goes.

"This specifies that you want to disable features you installed for use with Internet Explorer that may have been created by companies other than Microsoft.
If you encounter problems with Internet Explorer that you cannot resolve, you can use this option to help determine if third-party features are causing the problems without uninstalling the feature. You must restart Internet Explorer after turning this option on or off."


If that stops your errors, you will know where the trouble is.
This article and the program BHOcop might be useful to you.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,8168,00.asp

How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP (Q318378)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q318/3/78.asp

You can reinstall IE in Windows XP by clicking Start, Run and entering the following command:

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\ie.inf

(where c: is your Windows drive).

You will need to have your XP CD available. If you re-install remember to update it.

Using SFC /Scannow at the command prompt will help in repairing IE.

Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Red X's.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[CapeCodGal]

I thought that was the Adobe reader also, but as I mentioned I had everything closed. Wow you've given me
alot of homework here. I truly appreciate the lengths you have gone here. As I mentioned, when I do kick this thing
I will let you know what worked.

TTFN
CapeCodGal

 

[oisnds]

How about a long-shot.
Assume that your email is trying to open AcroRD32 when you click on a HTML link and Acrobat is saying this is not a PDF file.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Possibly 1 of 3

IE6 Window >> Tools menu >> Internet options >> Security Tab >> Internet Zone - Custom Settings >>
"Launching programs and files in an IFRAME" or somesuch...
If it's set to "disable"......then set it to "prompt".

Or
Those Links are in the "Restricted Zone"

Or
"Content Advisor" is Enabled and enforcing policies

TT4U

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

 

[CapeCodGal]

My Internet Zone was on prompt and the Restricted Zone was on Enable..but I did change it to Prompt anyway. Still and no go.

Thank you TT4U

 

[linney]

You Cannot Access Your MSN E-mail Account or Authenticate with a Web Site in Various Programs

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;813951&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

831167 - You cannot log on to a Web site or complete an Internet transaction, or you receive an HTTP 500 (Internal Server Error) Web page

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;831167&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

At the top of this thread you stated you have tried many things to fix this problem. There are many other suggestions people could make but it would help to know what exactly you have tried, then it would be easier to suggest what you may have overlooked.

 

[TekTippy4U]

hi CapeCodeGal;
After re-reading your initial posting
I to am experiencing links (some not all) that won't open on webpages and in my text email. But I don't get the
hand and hour glass thing happening.

I get a mini pop up which basically looks like a postage stamp size webpage with a red "X" marked across it that covers the link I just clicked on AND when it pops up there's a quick echoy sound blast and the webpage won't open.


Am I to understand that you are trying to Open a hyperlink? in Text Only E-mail???? Does it Appear as a regular Hyperlink (in a different color? like web page links appear?)

The error message is probably what MS OE does to let you know that You have OE configured for Text Only
which is Great IMO

These measures were implemented as a Security Update feature recently(Critical Update) since all the Intercrud stuff that exploits the OE client...

You probably need to go through all the OE settings one by one....Here's links that'll explain the settings a bit.
IE Settings - Start here page

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/index.shtml

OE Settings - Start here page

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/ie-11.shtml

HthisH

TT4U

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

 

[CapeCodGal]

Well I Finally Finally Finally got this fixed

A friend of mine asked me to check to see if the Firewall with Windows XP was Check off. It Was. I unchecked it and I'm back in business.

So if anyone ever ever has this glitch..this is the fix.

I can't thank everyone enough for their suggestions and recommedations. I truly appreciate it.

 

[linney]

Are you saying that you are now running without firewall protection of any sort?

Congratulations on solving your problem, but don't tell us you have no firewall when you now surf.

 

[CapeCodGal]

I added Zone Alarm. From all accounts since this adventure I've found out that Windows XP's firewall is pretty lame...no Kiddin'. Kim Kommando even thinks this.

So I have a new firewall and all is fine.

TTFN
Dale

 

[linney]

The XP firewall will be a different animal after SP2.

All the best.

 

[CapeCodGal]

What is XP2..the service pack for Xps's firewall.
I've been hearing about this for months.

 

[linney]

Last I heard the release of SP2 has been delayed until this September, it was originally due for release this month.

See these for further details about the SP2 and firewall.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Sp2+firewall+windows+xp

 

[TekTippy4U]

Very nice
[rock band]


TT4U

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