IE6 SP2 hangs when accessing address bar

[Guest]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Guest]

Same exact problem happened to me today immediately after I downloaded and
installed the recent Microsoft Security Updates. I notice that if you type
"http://" before "www. address" it will direct you to new address. However,
merely typing www with address and hitting "enter" key or depressing "Go"
does nothing. Furthemore, as you noted, depressing the drop down menu
freezes the system. I also have Norton's but the problem only started
immediately after I installed the recent security updates. I believe the
problem lies with the security updates. Good Luck

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

 

[Guest]

Don:

Thanks for your message. I have an HP and tried both options. Option 2 did
not reveal the referenced hp*.exe files in the Task Manager. Tried Option 1
and it did not solve the problem. Removed update KB908531 and situation
solved. When Microsoft is able to correct this update then I will reinstall
it. Thanks.

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Guest]

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Guest]

Don,

I agree with ricklaw. Your corrections did not help or were not applicable.
However removing the update worked. Waiting for MSFT correction before
reinstallation. Note that your support staff is unaware of this problem and
will ask everybody to change settings to defaults, erase
history/cookies/cache/etc., and run spamkillers/antiviruses/etc. They need
to know about this KB problem.

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,

Note that your support staff

Correction- they're not my support staff ;-) (No offense taken.) MVPS are
not Microsoft employees. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpexecsum

But, I agree, MS Support (via phone or e-mail) are often a few days behind
on breaking issues like this.

The fixes from Stephen Hui have worked for some users. They don't work for
all.

Regards,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Don,

I agree with ricklaw. Your corrections did not help or were not applicable.
However removing the update worked. Waiting for MSFT correction before
reinstallation. Note that your support staff is unaware of this problem and
will ask everybody to change settings to defaults, erase
history/cookies/cache/etc., and run spamkillers/antiviruses/etc. They need
to know about this KB problem.

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu

in
the

address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Peter S]

Microsoft has issued a KB Article 918165 on this subject .... it seems
to work just fine, but only after a restart.

Good luck
peter

 

[suzi_855]

Peter - Thanx for the tip, but or some reason I have not been able to
find the Article you refer to.

Could you perhaps supply a URL for this information?

ron b.

 

[Guest]

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Guest]

I am experiencing IE6 problems since updating with KB908531 but I have NO HP
hardware whatsoever.

I have WIN XP Home. My ISP is AOL. I get the following message when I log
on to AOL:

"DDE server window:rstrui.exe - Bad Image

The application or DDL C:\WINDOWS\system32\mshtml.DLL is not a valid
windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette"
(ignore the quotes)

No pages will open on my AOL favourites, nor in IE favourites. My AOL
emails will open but with a "oops" message and no further copy.

Regards,

David (e-mail address removed)

Hi,
IE6 on Windows XP? An update released on April 11 has been causing
this problem.
- - -
Preferred solution(s) They preserve the security enhancement provided by the
908531 update.

From Stephen Hui [MSFT]
<begin quoted>
We've determined that the majority of the issues people are having with
MS06-015 / KB908531 are due to a bad interaction between the security update
and a software component included with various HP hardware devices,
including but not limited to printers, scanners, and cameras.

Here are two fixes which should fix problems caused by the interaction with
the HP software:
------------------------------

Option 1 - Modify the registry

- (If you have multiple user accounts set up) Log onto the computer using an
account with Administrator privileges

- Click the Start button, then click Run and type "regedit" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Registry Editor

- Locate the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell
Extensions\Cached key in Registry Editor

- Right click on the key and select New / DWORD Value

- Rename the resulting value "{A4DF5659-0801-4A60-9607-1C48695EFDA9}
{000214E6-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} 0x401", without the quotes

- Right click the value, select Modify, and type "1" into the Value Data
field

- Close Registry Editor
------------------------------

Option 2 - Kill the HP process

- Wait until Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or whichever component is
encountering problems is in an unresponsive state

- Click the Start button, then select Run and type "taskmgr" at the prompt,
without the quotes; this will start Task Manager

- Locate any instances of hpgs2wnd.exe or hpgs2wnf.exe in Task Manager, then
right click on them and select End Process

(Note: Option 2 this may disable some HP device-specific functionality until
you restart your computer.)

If your computer is not currently unresponsive, you should only have to do
Option 1 or Option 2, not both. If your computer is currently unresponsive,
you should be fixed by doing Option 2.

I'm very sorry about the inconvenience this has caused you all; hopefully
this will get things back on track. Please note that MS06-015 fixes a
critical security vulnerability, so it's very important that you reinstall
it as soon as possible if you've uninstalled it. Please also keep in mind
that disabling Auto Update will leave your computer unprotected even after
we release security updates. I understand that this experience has been
very frustrating for many of you, but I really must still strongly recommend
that you leave Auto Update enabled for your own safety.
<end quoted>
- - - - -

Last resort...
Go to Control Panel> Add or remove programs. Tick the "Show updates" box at
the top. Find Security Update KB908531 near the bottom of the list. Select
it. Click on Remove.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Hello,

Today my IE6 started hanging when trying to access the dorp down menu in the
address bar
Furthermore, if I type an address in the address bar, IE6 doesn't do anything
However if I choose an address from the Favorites or if it is in the Home
page, it works fine
How can I solve this issue?
I have Norton Internet Security 2006 with Anti Spyware installed..

Regards
Toufic

 

[Don Varnau]

Ron,
Problems in Windows Explorer or the Windows shell after you install security
update MS06-015:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918165

Don
[MS MVP- IE]