Problem with "loading" in Yahoo Mail; cannot reply -- IE6 related?

[curiousgeorge408]

On one computer, we cannot send or reply to Yahoo mail. It gets stuck
in "LOADING..." for a while, then seems to stop and return to reply
window.

Since this happens on only one computer, I presume the problem is not
at Yahoo's end or with the Yahoo account.

I think it is also unlike that a virus is involved -- but I'll run a
scan.

Also, the problem happens with different users on the same computer.
So I presume the problem is not with user settings; instead, it is
something more global (registry; IE6 itself; something else entirely).

Does anyone have any idea what I might do to remedy this?

I would like to avoid reinstalling IE6, especially since I don't know
for sure that's the root cause.

I would like to avoid installing a different browser, the first
"solution" proposed by the IE6-bashers. Of course, they recommend
installing their favorite browser.

I have already tried the obvious -- delete history, cookies and files
-- to no avail.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please state the full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Win2K SP4) of the
machine in question when posting to this newsgroup.

What Yahoo software is installed (e.g., toolbar; freebie security suite;
Yahoo Browser)?

 

[curiousgeorge408]

Please state the full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3;
Win2K SP4) of the machine in question when posting to this
newsgroup.

Good point; wasn't thinking. WinXP SP2, IE6. Neither has been
patched for a long time (years! sigh).

What Yahoo software is installed (e.g., toolbar; freebie
security suite; Yahoo Browser)?

Nothing special. We just use the web interface.

It was someone else who thought this is an IE6 problem. They want to
switch browsers. I suspect it is a "Yahoo" problem -- but by that, I
mean: something specific to Yahoo. I have no problem using IE6 with
other web sites. Just don't know what "LOADING" (blinking) means when
we click a soft button on the Yahoo web page.


----- original posting -----

 

[curiousgeorge408]

Let me try to explain the problem better and the information I am
seeking.

First, I admit that this is a fishing expedition. I am hoping that
someone might understand the architecture well enough to give me some
pointers -- some things I might check or do, short of reinstalling IE6
or simply using another browser. I would like to try some __small__
changes, since my experience is that it usually a small thing that
causes big problems.

I go to mail.yahoo.com, log in, click on Inbox, open a mail item, and
click the Reply button.

On the working computer, "LOADING" flashes on the upper middle part of
the window, then it opens a compose-like window with some fields
filled in, a copy of the original message in the text field, and the
buttons Save, Save as Draft, and Cancel.

On the computer that does not work, "LOADING" stays for 2-3 sec, then
it opens a window (I'll call it the Single Message window) that simply
has the original message in the full-screen (i.e. no list of folders
on the left), the links Previous, Next and Back to Messages, the
buttons Delete, Reply, Forward, Spam and Move, and a pull-down menu in
the lower right corner that says "Select Message Encoding".

Theory: The "LOADING" is failing, and the Single Message window is
the default state that it goes in that case.

This unusual window -- I have never seen it before -- behaves
erratically. Sometimes, after I select an encoding and click Reply,
it opens a compose-like window, like the (normal) behavior on the
working computer. But if I click Cancel in the compose-like window
and return to the Single Message window, I usually cannot repeat the
Reply procedure. However, sometimes none of the buttons seem work
from the start.

Theory: The implementation of the default state that I go to when
"LOADING" fails is basically broken code.

I am not trying to get the Single Message window to work. I am trying
to understand why "LOADING" fails.

------

Some things I have done to try to remedy the problem, to no avail....

1. I did a virus scan after first updating the antivirus DB. Nothing
found.

2. I installed a new version of Java.

3. Downloaded Firefox and tried the same procedure. It failed as
well.

So obviously this is not an IE6. My apologies if this is the wrong
place to post this. But I'm hoping some kind soul with lots of
experience might have some suggestions for things for me to try.

4. I used WireShark to trace the network activity when I click the
Reply button on the working and non-working computers. The traces are
very different. In particular, the working computer makes a
connection very soon in the trace; I don't see that in the non-working
computer. I wonder if that explains why "LOADING" takes so long and
ultimately fails, I believe.

But that still begs the question "why?". I thought it might be
because Java was out of date. But as I said above, updating Java and
restarting the computer did not remedy the problem.


----- original posting ------

 

[curiousgeorge408]

Never mind! The problem goes away when I disable the Norton firewall.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Norton strikes again! <eg>

 

[Kaja]

Well I have a couple ideas. First delete your temporary internet files,
cookies and browsing history. This should speed up IE. Try using the Yahoo
classic mail instead of the new mail. I find this to work better. Yahoo
sometimes has snags so try waiting a day and trying again. Yahoo does have a
help option although it is not very good. From the yahoo mail screen go to
help at the top right of the screen and go from there. Hope that helps. Let
me know.
Kaja