Need help removing annoyances from IE

[Opticreep]

I'm running the latest version of IE on WinXP.

Two things annoy the hell out of me. Maybe someone knowledgeable
could help me out?

1) Occasionally, there are some websites where the pages load *twice*
upon each visit. I type the URL, and IE starts loading the website.
Annoyingly, as soon as the website is completely loaded, it reloads
again! I'm left staring at my (blank) loading screen wondering why
the heck IE reloaded the website LITERALLY as soon as it finished
loading it the first time. Any Idea what is causing this? I'm really
curious.

2) I usually browse the web using a dial-up 56K modem. I have gotten
into the habit of loading many, many pages simultaneously with
different windows in the background while I read the first page. This
is a habit that has grown from my frustration with slow modem
connection. By having my browser load additional pages in the
background, I won't have to wait to read the next page after I'm done
with the one I'm reading.

In the past (ie mid to late '90s), the websites being loaded in the
background (in several windows) behaved themselves and STAYED in the
background. With recent versions of IE, however, as soon as these
websites finished loading in the background, they'll pop to the
foreground and disturb me while I'm reading the first page. They
behave kind of like annoying pop-up ads. Is there *any* way to tell
IE to *not* pop up websites after they have finished loading in the
background? Maybe someone ought to tell Micro$oft that the user
relegated certain windows in the background for a reason. The window
the USER specifically chose in the foreground SHOULD NEVER EVER be
superceded by anything in the background. I never had this problem in
the days of Win95 and WinNT.

TIA

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm running the latest version of IE on WinXP.

Two things annoy the hell out of me. Maybe someone knowledgeable
could help me out?

1) Occasionally, there are some websites where the pages load *twice*
upon each visit. I type the URL, and IE starts loading the website.
Annoyingly, as soon as the website is completely loaded, it reloads
again! I'm left staring at my (blank) loading screen wondering why
the heck IE reloaded the website LITERALLY as soon as it finished
loading it the first time. Any Idea what is causing this? I'm really
curious.

2) I usually browse the web using a dial-up 56K modem. I have gotten
into the habit of loading many, many pages simultaneously with
different windows in the background while I read the first page. This
is a habit that has grown from my frustration with slow modem
connection. By having my browser load additional pages in the
background, I won't have to wait to read the next page after I'm done
with the one I'm reading.

In the past (ie mid to late '90s), the websites being loaded in the
background (in several windows) behaved themselves and STAYED in the
background. With recent versions of IE, however, as soon as these
websites finished loading in the background, they'll pop to the
foreground and disturb me while I'm reading the first page. They
behave kind of like annoying pop-up ads. Is there *any* way to tell
IE to *not* pop up websites after they have finished loading in the
background? Maybe someone ought to tell Micro$oft that the user
relegated certain windows in the background for a reason. The window
the USER specifically chose in the foreground SHOULD NEVER EVER be
superceded by anything in the background. I never had this problem in
the days of Win95 and WinNT.

You have a few things in your mind that are not related. If you still had
95/NT, you would still see what you are seeing now. People are taking
advantage of the Internet.

Anyway.. You need to do a few things to help remedy your situation and make
it batter in the long run. One suggestion I will make to you that I don't
make to everyone is "switch browsers". Try out Mozilla Firebird. Great
browser in my opinion.

Also, try all of this stuff:

Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three.)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

CWSShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.


And Assortment of Others:
http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)
- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.


Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.

 

[Liz M.]

That was all great advice, as long as it is a virus...
My IE occasionally loads a page twice before I can access
it. I do not have a virus. I don't know why it happens.

When a page loading in the background jumps to front upon
completion, it's called "stealing focus" I don't know
whether there is anything in XP's help and support
regarding it, but I do know that you can download a free
XP power toy called 'Tweak UI' and it gives you the
capability to prevent pages from stealing focus. Google
it!
Liz M.