Netscape/IE Non-Responsive

[PMorgan]

I am trying to tech support my mother long distance on a problem she's
having with her Netscape, and I'm stumped. One problem is that she is
using Windows XP, which I don't have, so I can't see what she's looking
at on her screen.

Here's the problem, which she believes has something to do with an
Earthlink "Accelerator" program that she downloaded. Now, though her e-
mail is working properly and she can get to the internet via AOL, she
can't get to Netscape -- either by clicking on the icon or by clicking on
a link. The window opens up, but she gets the "Connection Refused by
Host" error message.

It's not the default settings -- Internet Explorer isn't working properly
either (same error message). I had her download Netscape and re-install
it, and that didn't solve the problem. Now I don't know what to tell
her and she's depending on me to somehow "fix it", so I told her I was
going to have to come to you.

Is this an XP thing? Can you rescue me from a six hour drive that will
result if I can't walk her to a fix over the phone? She is getting on in
years, and is confused by complicated instructions, but if I can figure
it out, I can usually walk her through it in simple terms.

Thanks in advance.

Perri

 

[PMorgan]

I am trying to tech support my mother long distance on a problem she's
having with her Netscape, and I'm stumped. One problem is that she is
using Windows XP, which I don't have, so I can't see what she's
looking at on her screen.

Incidentally, she has already uninstalled the "Earthlink Accelerator".

Perri

 

[PMorgan]

I am trying to tech support my mother long distance on a problem she's
having with her Netscape, and I'm stumped. One problem is that she is
using Windows XP, which I don't have, so I can't see what she's
looking at on her screen.

Incidentally, she has already uninstalled the "Earthlink Accelerator".

Perri

 

[Sharon F]

Incidentally, she has already uninstalled the "Earthlink Accelerator".

Perri

What does Internet Options> Connections show for her default internet
connection? If necessary, select the correct connection and click OK.

Also check that the AOL software hasn't set itself up as the default
browser. Almost all "URL:xxxx" seen in Folder Options> File Types will
display the AOL icon if that is what has happened.

Revert to IE being the default using Internet Options> Programs. Check the
box for IE to check that it's the default browser. Click OK. Close all open
browser windows for the change to take effect. Then launch IE and answer
"yes" when the prompt regarding default browser appears.

 

[PMorgan]

Subject: Re: Netscape/IE Non-Responsive
From: Sharon F <[email protected]>
Newsgroups:
microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers

What does Internet Options> Connections show for her default internet
connection? If necessary, select the correct connection and click OK.

Also check that the AOL software hasn't set itself up as the default
browser. Almost all "URL:xxxx" seen in Folder Options> File Types will
display the AOL icon if that is what has happened.

Revert to IE being the default using Internet Options> Programs.
Check the box for IE to check that it's the default browser. Click OK.
Close all open browser windows for the change to take effect. Then
launch IE and answer "yes" when the prompt regarding default browser
appears.

If she prefers Netscape as her default browser, should I just use the
same instructions above, substituting Netscape for IE?

The thing that has me baffled is that *neither* program (Netscape or IE)
opens from the program icon on the desktop -- even after creating new
icons. Links don't work either. The window opens, but it says
"Connection Refused by Host".

Perri

 

[Sharon F]

If she prefers Netscape as her default browser, should I just use the
same instructions above, substituting Netscape for IE?

Yes, that should work too. The object is to no longer have the AOL software
designated as the default internet application. If you run into trouble
with the Netscape menus, an alternative that could work is to revert to IE
as the default application. Then redirect to Netscape.

The thing that has me baffled is that *neither* program (Netscape or IE)
opens from the program icon on the desktop -- even after creating new
icons. Links don't work either. The window opens, but it says
"Connection Refused by Host".

If internet links are currently associated with AOL, that is the software
that will be called up when clicking on a link. Once this associated
correctly again (to IE or Netscape), double clicking will open the browser
of choice. That browser will connect using the default connection (Internet
Options> Connection for IE. Something similar for Netscape I am sure.).

There may be some loose ends to clean up from the installation and removal
of the Earthlink software. I've never used that software though so am not
familiar with what may need to be adjusted. Might want to check the
Earthlink user groups for suggstions about that.

 

[PMorgan]

Subject: Re: Netscape/IE Non-Responsive
From: Sharon F <[email protected]>

Thanks, Sharon. That works halfway -- we've got the icons to respond, but
not the links. She can cut-and-paste linked addressed into the browser, so
this is a huge help.

Perri

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks, Sharon. That works halfway -- we've got the icons to respond, but
not the links. She can cut-and-paste linked addressed into the browser, so
this is a huge help.

For IE, re-registering urlmon.dll usually corrects this. This page
(http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers2.htm#hyperlinks) describes the
default informations for Folder Options> File Types> URL:Hypertext Transfer
Protocols.

I don't know what the equivalents would be for Netscape. May need to check
their support pages or contact their technical support for that
information.