Internet Explorer 8

[Hilly]

I downloaded a windows update to update my browser from IE7 to IE8. What a mistake! It was supposed to "speed up my browsing experience", but had the opposite effect! Everything ran really slow, and my computer just sat and spun it's wheels. I did a system restore, and now I can't get online using Internet Explorer at all (I'm currently using Google Chrome, which I don't like). The IE browser begins to open, and then it just closes itself.

After the system restore, I attempted to open the browser, and Windows noticed a change to Internet Explorer, and asked if I should allow access. I chose to deny access for that time only, but did NOT tick the box that says "remember my decision" or something to that affect.

What did I do to my computer? I really don't like Google Chrome or Mozilla.

[TwinOaks]

I dunno, mine mostly did the same thing, except I don't recall telling the computer to IE8 (this time). IE just stopped working right, and I realized which version it was. So, I just deleted everything I could of '8' (but for some reason I can't uninstall all of it!!!) so I've just switched to FF. I used to kinda swap between the two, but after this last bit.....Internet Exploder is just off my list.

edit: I just went and checked my thread, and Dickf gives some really good info on the problems. Start there ('removing unwanted program' thread right below this one), and see if that helps.

Edited July 4, 2009 by TwinOaks

[Hilly]

The main reason I really need IE to work is because my password manager only fills in passwords in IE, not in other browsers. I can't log in to my credit card accounts to check balances or pay bills online without the passwords (which I have neglected to write down).

Guess that'll teach me to trust my computer to not go to heck. So.... if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears!

[CitizenKate]

First of all, for storing passwords, go download a copy of AnyPassword (it's free) and use it to store all your online account passwords. I've used it for more than 5 years and have hundreds of passwords stored in it, and have never lost one yet.

You should be able to revert to your old version of IE by uninstalling the IE update through Control Panel, and Add/Remove Programs. When you see the list of programs, look down the list for "Windows Internet Explorer 8" and click Uninstall.

If that doesn't work, you can restore your system files to an earlier state using system restore. If you need to do this, and you aren't sure how, I'll get you some detailed instructions for that, but it may be something you'll need some local assistance to do, depending on how comfortable you are with safe mode operations.

IE cannot be entirely uninstalled because M$ made the Windows operating system critically dependant on some of its programming. This was one of their ways of ensuring we could never live without IE. (Resistance is futile!)

Kate

[Hilly]

Okay, so this has really been working on me. I really hate it when my computer is sick. My best guess is that the Windows Updater did not download all the files needed to make IE8 work properly, or one of the files may have been corrupt or something. I used Mozilla to manually download IE8, and then installed it myself. It works flawlessly. My password manager recognises all the pages, and I'm happy again. So if anybody has the same problem with IE8 through Windows Updates, try doing a manual download and install and see if it helps.

[Ladybug]

Hi

I was having trouble with my IE8 also, but found that i had to delete a program that took care of my cookies... it was a download.. What i now have to do is each nite when i shut down go to my control panel, internet options and when internet properties opens be sure the general tab is the one that opens. Click delete and another window will open.. be sure that there is a check in Personal Favorites, temp internet files, cookies and history... click delete at the bottom of that page... then either do a reboot or just turn off your pc... Next time you turn your pc on it will take quite awhile for your home page to open... could be up to 5 minutes, but then everything moves fast again. Also don't forget once a month to do a defrag. Hope this helps... i know it's a real pain to wait so long when you turn on your pc to get it up and running each time, but with IE8 that's the best way to run.

Ladybug/JoAnn

[Hilly]

Hi

I was having trouble with my IE8 also, but found that i had to delete a program that took care of my cookies... it was a download.. What i now have to do is each nite when i shut down go to my control panel, internet options and when internet properties opens be sure the general tab is the one that opens. Click delete and another window will open.. be sure that there is a check in Personal Favorites, temp internet files, cookies and history... click delete at the bottom of that page... then either do a reboot or just turn off your pc... Next time you turn your pc on it will take quite awhile for your home page to open... could be up to 5 minutes, but then everything moves fast again. Also don't forget once a month to do a defrag. Hope this helps... i know it's a real pain to wait so long when you turn on your pc to get it up and running each time, but with IE8 that's the best way to run.

Ladybug/JoAnn

Thanks, neighbor!

[dickf]

Hi

I was having trouble with my IE8 also, but found that i had to delete a program that took care of my cookies... it was a download.. What i now have to do is each nite when i shut down go to my control panel, internet options and when internet properties opens be sure the general tab is the one that opens. Click delete and another window will open.. be sure that there is a check in Personal Favorites, temp internet files, cookies and history... click delete at the bottom of that page... then either do a reboot or just turn off your pc... Next time you turn your pc on it will take quite awhile for your home page to open... could be up to 5 minutes, but then everything moves fast again. Also don't forget once a month to do a defrag. Hope this helps... i know it's a real pain to wait so long when you turn on your pc to get it up and running each time, but with IE8 that's the best way to run.

Ladybug/JoAnn

Um, Ladybug, there's something wrong with your PC. Your home page, whatever it may be, should never take 5 minutes to load and waiting ages for your computer to start back up isn't normal or typical. Also, does Windows say you should defrag the drive that often? You should let it analyze and follow it's directions. I suggest you ditch the 3rd party app you have that 'handles' cookies. Cookies aren't as dangerous as you think, and most sites run much faster with them accepted.

This is likely the cause of your slow speed.

[KnotHead]

I would uninstall I.E. 8 update to fix the problem. But then again I don't know the details of your PC. I am an I.T. Tech and have been doing this for 10yrs now. Some systems just hate the I.E. 8 update. That update was mainly for Vista machines. The RAM you have in your machine and the processor speed will always dictate the type of applications you can run. I.E. 8 is a very graphically intense browser. A very heavy browser for an older machine to run.

Now if I run a dual core system with 2, 4, 6 and, or 8 gigs of RAM with a high end graphics card, or a SLI system, then running I.E. 8 will install and run without any glitches. If your system is on the 32bit table, you can expect I.E. 8 to run poorly and slow.

I myself don't like I.E. at all that much. I run only when I have to. Yep you might have guessed it, I like FF better. Runs smoother and better than I.E. 8 in Vista, XP and Servers 2003-2008.

Brian...

[Johanna]

I have to agree with Brian's observation about IE8 and Vista. It's fine. IE8 and XP don't always play nicely. I think I am the only geek in the world who does not use Firefox as my default browser. I use IE. I check websites in all the browsers, but when I'm personally surfing, it's in IE. FWIW, 80% of the people that visit this site use IE, too.

password manager? What's that? Post it notes? I do have a txt file somewhere called "passwords". Isn't that tech savvy?

Johanna