Constant problem with freezing when clicking on a link in IE and OE

[MaryL]

I am using IE 6.0.2900, and I use Outlook Express for newsgroups. I face
the same problem *numerous* times every week, but it is not consistent
enough so that I could reproduce the problem "at will." The problem occurs
most often in OE, but I sometimes have the identical problem when browsing
IE. That is, I will click on a link, and everything is frozen *instantly.*
The cursor will have changed to a hand, and there is no way to continue with
that session. I have to use Alt/Ctrl/Del to get out, and even that is
cumbersome. I often have to do so several times and then will have a whole
series of "program not working" items to work through. In some instances, I
then have to reboot or IE will freeze as soon as I try to open it. On other
occasions, I can re-enter OE as soon as I have gone through the process I
just described. I have just about given up on "reporting" this to MS. I
don't expect personal feedback, but they are so generic in what they provide
that it has been worthless to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I do not have this problem with any other
programs, and the links are always innocuous (and "safe") sites, such as
news links within CNN.com or links to photos within a newsgroup (and the
same newsgroups open fine if I go back in, highlight the link, and then
*paste* it in the address locator).

Thanks,
MaryL

 

[Plato]

I am using IE 6.0.2900, and I use Outlook Express for newsgroups. I face
the same problem *numerous* times every week, but it is not consistent
enough so that I could reproduce the problem "at will." The problem occurs

Have you tuned up your PC? Have you made sure you are virus/spyware
free? Have you disabled/removed all trash ware running 24/7?

 

[MaryL]

Have you tuned up your PC? Have you made sure you are virus/spyware
free? Have you disabled/removed all trash ware running 24/7?

I probably don't keep my PC as clean as I should. On the other hand, I run
both Ad-Aware and SpyBot almost every day. I use AVG every day, and I have
both a software fireware and a router (LinkSys) that serves as a firewall.
None of that has had any effect on the problem. I use a little program
called Stop StartUp Monitor, which alerts me every time a program wants to
add something to my StartUp file (and I always reject it). The only
programs that run continuously are programs that I use frequently, and they
were installed a couple of years ago. I have not added any new programs for
quite some time -- certainly, since well before the time when this problem
started.

Thanks,
MaryL