Unable to launch icons created as a shortcut to internet pages

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G

Guest

Hi,

I have Windows XP Home Edition running Service Pack 2. I have a Dell
Dimension Desktop 8300, that I bought less than a year ago. It has 1 GB of
RAM and a 3.2 Ghz, Pentium 4 with HT Technology. I use Mcafee firewall plus
and Mcafee virus protection. I also immunize spyware using Spyware Blaster
and Spybot. I'll also scan for viruses using Spybouncer and Adaware. Also
my pop up settings on Internet Explorer are set to medium.

When I create a desktop Icon as a shortcut to view a particular internet
page on Internet Explorer, it takes several tries to launch it and sometimes
I can't launch it at all. It doesn't matter what web page the short cut is
set up for. Originally I thought the double-click settings for my mouse were
set too fast, but they weren't; however, I set it at a slower speed anyway,
but this didn't work. I am able to launch all other icons on my desktop
(including Internet Explorer) with ease, but I have trouble launching the
short cuts to view certain internet pages. Sometimes it works, sometimes it
takes several tries, and sometimes it doesn't work at all. I have no other
processes running at the time.

Please advise. I hope there's a simple solution to this.

Thanks,
Ed
 
In addition to what's written below, I also defragmented the hard drive and
ran a Mcafee virus scan, and it ran clean. I also scanned for spyware with
Spybouncer, but it didn't fined anything. The problem still exists.

Any ideas? I'm runnnig out of options.

Thanks,
Ed
 
Ed,

Open Internet Options, Programs tab
Choose "Reset Web Settings" and complete the process.

Click Start/Run and type:

regsvr32 /i shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 /i shell32.dll
regsvr32 /i urlmon.dll
 
Hi Ramesh,

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, the procedure you gave me below did not solve the problem,
although the procedure ran with no errors. It's unusual that sometimes the
desktop internet shortcuts work and then they don't. I do have these web
pages stored in my favorites within Internet Explorer's web browser and I
have no problem accessing them that way, but the desktop icons should work as
well. I've also checked to make sure the option "Internet Explorer should
check to see whether it is the default browser" was checked under the
Programs tab within Internet Options using the Control Panel. Prehaps there
is something else I could do?

Ed
 
Hi Ed,
Is this problem seen for URL files only, or even for application shortcuts ?
Have you tested the behavior in another user profile ?
 
Hi Ramesh,

The problem exists for URL files only. All other shortcuts are ok.

The desktop internet shortcuts (URL) using the "guest" account work ok. I'm
glad you mentioned it, as I wouldn't have thought of it. Apparently the
problem is only with my account which has administrative privileges. These
are the only 2 accounts in my computer.

Ed
 
Ed,

Thanks, this confirms that there is no problem with file associations, nor
shell extensions (possibly). One of the running programs may be causing
this, and I'd try closing them done one at a time and see at which point the
problem is resolved.

Or do a clean start using MSConfig. Disable all applications except your
anti-virus and firewall, in MSConfig > Startup tab. Restart Windows and
observe the behavior in your user profile.
 
Ramesh,

I closed the applications as you said, and also did a clean start using
MSconfig and restarted windows, but even with all the applications closed
(except for Mcafee), the system still behaves the same way.

Ed
 
No clue left for now, Ed. Perhaps creating a new user profile and copying
the files to the new profile is the solution ?
 
Ramesh,

Perhaps that may be the only option...

One last thing. I also have Firefox and MSN Premium as internet providers
for this account; however, the shortcuts point to Internet Explorer. Do you
think this might be an issue although the shortcuts to Internet Explorer did
work fine in the past with these other IP's in my account.

Ed
 
Ed,

File associations are per-machine setting (by default), and so it may not be
causing the problem. A stab in the dark.... You can try using the Set
Program Acccess and Defaults feature in Add/Remove Programs and set IE as
default.
 
Hi Ramesh,

Thank you for your persistent effort of trying to solve my problem.
Unfortunately, it still exists even though I set IE as default. I read a
document indicating that a firewall caused a similiar problem, so I
temporarily changed my firewall from Mcafee to Windows, but no success. I
changed it back to Mcafee.

Although the problem occurs only in my account (it has administrator
privileges) and not the guest account, I may have to create an other
administrator account, but for now I'm holding off on that as copying the
programs and setting up my MSN email to the new account may be more trouble
than it's worth... for now.

Maybe this will help... While trying to launch one of the icons, a message
popped up indicating that there was no internet connection. I immediately
launched IE and it was fine. Perhaps this may have something to do with the
synchronization or polling on the nic card... I don't know... just a thought.

Anyway, I appreciate your help. If you, or anyone can think of anything
else, please let me know.

Thanks!
Ed
 
Ed,

Very good point, and good luck on this matter. Should you need to
troubleshoot further, you may try with RegMon and FileMon (and see what
happens when clicking URL files).
 
Hi Ramesh,

Problem Solved!

I took your advice and created another administrator account and copied the
files and programs over. I deleted the old account and renamed the new
account to the old account's name. The URL desktop shortcuts now launch
without any trouble.

Thank you for all your help!

Ed
 
Thanks for the feedback, Ed. Glad it's fixed.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


ej88keys said:
Hi Ramesh,

Problem Solved!

I took your advice and created another administrator account and copied
the
files and programs over. I deleted the old account and renamed the new
account to the old account's name. The URL desktop shortcuts now launch
without any trouble.

Thank you for all your help!

Ed

:
<snip>
 

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