Vista and IE 7 or 8 problems

[Clark]

I know two folks that just got new computers with Vista. They both seem
to be having the same problem with IE 7 or 8 refusing to load pages
after surfing for a period of time. They both say a reboot is necessary
to restore IE to usability.

I have not found a definite answer on the net, so does anyone know if
this is a common problem in Vista and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Clark

 

[DarkNight]

Nope, I have no problem....

 

[Gordon]

I know two folks that just got new computers with Vista. They both seem
to be having the same problem with IE 7 or 8 refusing to load pages after
surfing for a period of time. They both say a reboot is necessary to
restore IE to usability.

I have not found a definite answer on the net, so does anyone know if this
is a common problem in Vista and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Clark

Are they sure that it's IE that's the problem and not their Network
connection? There has been a large number of reports of Vista randomly
dropping wireless connections to the internet, and in fact I had that
problem myself. I think it's fixed in SP2 but can't quite remember as I'm on
Win 7 RC now....

 

[Bill Yanaire]

Are they sure that it's IE that's the problem and not their Network
connection? There has been a large number of reports of Vista randomly
dropping wireless connections to the internet, and in fact I had that
problem myself. I think it's fixed in SP2 but can't quite remember as
I'm on Win 7 RC now....

Err, are you sure, Err that a large number of Err reports of Vista
randomly dropping Err wireless connections to the <sigh> internet have
surfaced? Err.

Err, you are on Win 7 <sigh> right Err, now? Err.

 

[Clark]

Are they sure that it's IE that's the problem and not their Network
connection? There has been a large number of reports of Vista randomly
dropping wireless connections to the internet, and in fact I had that
problem myself. I think it's fixed in SP2 but can't quite remember as
I'm on Win 7 RC now....

I have asked about the internet connection a couple of times, but have
yet to get a definite answer. One of them I know has a hard wire. If
they had told me it was there internet connection, I would have had them
change the power setting on their adapter. I have asked for anything
they may have in common, like 32 or 64 bit and is SP2 installed. Still
waiting on an answer.

It just seems to me there was a problem some months (or years) ago where
quite a few folks were having problems.

Thanks,
Clark

 

[Eric]

I know two folks that just got new computers with Vista. They both seem to
be having the same problem with IE 7 or 8 refusing to load pages after
surfing for a period of time. They both say a reboot is necessary to
restore IE to usability.

I have not found a definite answer on the net, so does anyone know if this
is a common problem in Vista and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Clark

Why would you assume IE is the problem? Have you tried loading pages in
FireFox when IE starts "refusing to load pages"?
What version of Vista (Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate)? What bit
(32/64)?
Is SP1 installed? SP2?
Are they actually experencing the problem in IE7 and/or IE8?
When it stops loading pages, check the network connections (under Setup on
the Windows menu). Find the active connection, right click, select
properties. Does it show "internet"?
How long (approximately) must they surf before encountering this error?
Is there a modem? Are there lights lit on the modem?
Is there a router? Are there lights lit on the router?
Is there an AV program installed?
Is there an error message other than browsing to "unable to load page"?
What sort of connection is it (dial-up, DSL, FiOS, cable)?
Are there wires running into the modem, from the modem to the router (if
there is one), from the router to the PC, or is any part of it wireless?

It's not a "common problem" since I can browse just fine in IE. I have
cable internet and my only issue is that it takes at least several minutes
to get to the internet after turning on the modem. There's no delay for
access after booting up the PC if the modem is already up and running.

 

[Clark]

Why would you assume IE is the problem? Have you tried loading pages in
FireFox when IE starts "refusing to load pages"?
What version of Vista (Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate)? What bit
(32/64)?
Is SP1 installed? SP2?
Are they actually experencing the problem in IE7 and/or IE8?
When it stops loading pages, check the network connections (under Setup on
the Windows menu). Find the active connection, right click, select
properties. Does it show "internet"?
How long (approximately) must they surf before encountering this error?
Is there a modem? Are there lights lit on the modem?
Is there a router? Are there lights lit on the router?
Is there an AV program installed?
Is there an error message other than browsing to "unable to load page"?
What sort of connection is it (dial-up, DSL, FiOS, cable)?
Are there wires running into the modem, from the modem to the router (if
there is one), from the router to the PC, or is any part of it wireless?

It's not a "common problem" since I can browse just fine in IE. I have
cable internet and my only issue is that it takes at least several minutes
to get to the internet after turning on the modem. There's no delay for
access after booting up the PC if the modem is already up and running.

One is running an AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 920 Processor with Vista x64 SP1.
I have recommended they update to SP2.

He says during the lockups, both AT&T DSL and his own checking program
shows connectivity is normal. Modems have already been changed out.
About 2 hours is how long it takes for it to stop loading pages with a
message in IE saying it can not reach the internet (or something close).
Both IE and Firefox do the same thing. He is running the 32 bit
version of IE and says the x64 does the same thing.

He says he was online with AT&T troubleshooting and they had no idea.

He is using the Free AVG anti-virus, but I don't know about the second
person.

Thanks,
Clark

 

[Eric]

One is running an AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 920 Processor with Vista x64 SP1. I
have recommended they update to SP2.

He says during the lockups, both AT&T DSL and his own checking program
shows connectivity is normal. Modems have already been changed out. About
2 hours is how long it takes for it to stop loading pages with a message
in IE saying it can not reach the internet (or something close). Both IE
and Firefox do the same thing. He is running the 32 bit version of IE and
says the x64 does the same thing.

He says he was online with AT&T troubleshooting and they had no idea.

He is using the Free AVG anti-virus, but I don't know about the second
person.

Thanks,
Clark

In troubleshooting it helps to answer all of the questions until you solve
the problem or run out of questions. Here's a few you missed.
Why would you ask if it's an IE bug if FireFox does the same thing?
What is "his own checking program" that shows connectivity? Does it show
"internet" on the Properties page of the network connection?
You don't necessarily have to reboot to get it back if the network
connection is losing it's internet connectivity. First try renewing the IP
and/or resetting the network adapter, which should both be options from the
diagnostics selection on that network connection properties page.
Is there a router involved? Are the lights lit on the modem/router when
connectivity is lost?
Is it a fully wired system or is any part of the connection wireless?
Is he trying to access any particular page when connectivity is lost?
Is he able to access any page after getting this error if you shut down the
AV program? That program could be blocking it for some reason.

 

[Clark]

In troubleshooting it helps to answer all of the questions until you solve
the problem or run out of questions. Here's a few you missed.
Why would you ask if it's an IE bug if FireFox does the same thing?
What is "his own checking program" that shows connectivity? Does it show
"internet" on the Properties page of the network connection?
You don't necessarily have to reboot to get it back if the network
connection is losing it's internet connectivity. First try renewing the IP
and/or resetting the network adapter, which should both be options from the
diagnostics selection on that network connection properties page.
Is there a router involved? Are the lights lit on the modem/router when
connectivity is lost?
Is it a fully wired system or is any part of the connection wireless?
Is he trying to access any particular page when connectivity is lost?
Is he able to access any page after getting this error if you shut down the
AV program? That program could be blocking it for some reason.

They are saying after the browser locks up, they can still do e-mail.
One just updated to SP2 and it was no help. I have told them about the
Network trouble shooter and how to reset the adapter. No wireless, but
I need to suggest they shutdown the AV. Just hate to leave them
exposed. No particular page is being accessed. I will try to get them
to ping a site.

Something strange they both say is when they reboot after a stall, their
passwords have to be redone (I am assuming web page passwords) I just
suggested they turn off UAC and try for a while.

All good suggestions.

Thanks,
Clark

 

[Eric]

They are saying after the browser locks up, they can still do e-mail. One
just updated to SP2 and it was no help. I have told them about the
Network trouble shooter and how to reset the adapter. No wireless, but I
need to suggest they shutdown the AV. Just hate to leave them exposed.
No particular page is being accessed. I will try to get them to ping a
site.

Something strange they both say is when they reboot after a stall, their
passwords have to be redone (I am assuming web page passwords) I just
suggested they turn off UAC and try for a while.

All good suggestions.

Thanks,
Clark

I wouldn't recommend uninstalling an AV program unless you have another one
to install but temporarily shutting down the AV to see if it's causing the
problem should be ok.
That is odd indeed if email actually gets sent out to the internet but
browsers don't work. Something might be seriously wrong, the OS might need
to be reinstalled.
If they have a router be sure to check it's configuration.
IE often loses settngs if it crashes. If that's an issue you may want to
suggest backing up cookies and attempting to restore them. If there are a
lot of different passwords to remember I would suggest keeping them in a
separate application. There are some (freeware) programs just for password
management, or they could just write them down in a document or spreadsheet
file (make sure the file is backed up to a disk or flash drive of some
sort).

 

[Clark]

I wouldn't recommend uninstalling an AV program unless you have another one
to install but temporarily shutting down the AV to see if it's causing the
problem should be ok.
That is odd indeed if email actually gets sent out to the internet but
browsers don't work. Something might be seriously wrong, the OS might need
to be reinstalled.
If they have a router be sure to check it's configuration.
IE often loses settngs if it crashes. If that's an issue you may want to
suggest backing up cookies and attempting to restore them. If there are a
lot of different passwords to remember I would suggest keeping them in a
separate application. There are some (freeware) programs just for password
management, or they could just write them down in a document or spreadsheet
file (make sure the file is backed up to a disk or flash drive of some
sort).

I have now brought up the DSL and house alarm to make sure it has a
blocker. I have suggested they take the computer to another location
with a different provider to try to narrow down if it is their internet,
or the computer. One computer is new and one is more than 2 years old.

I starting thinking that I don't stay online that long, at least not
surfing. So today, I am going to leave my browser on some page and let
it go for a few hours to see if I can duplicate the problem.

I am basically out of ideas and have told them so. If you come across
anything, please let me know, but I think I will just wait to see if
they find anything.

Thanks Again,
Clark