Why does Internet Explorer refuse to launch?

[Guest]

Whether I connect the Dial Up connection mannualy or by default sometimes
Internet Explorer will not launch. Once clicked the hour glass icon appears
for about 3 seconds then nothing. Other programs have a problem launching.

Here is the starnge part. If I place "any type" cd in the CD drive and the
autoplay feature kicks in everything "unlocks" and launches. All programs
that refused to launch now fills the screen.

Anyone have a clue??

 

[Guest]

Running XP Pro "Media Center" on a Gateway 901 PC SP2 installed

 

[Kelly]

Did any of the info provided yesterday, help?

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

*HBTM*

 

[Guest]

Kelly

I appologize for not responding as I should have to your suggestions.

I must have been unclear in my original post.

I no longer have AutoPlay problems. AutoPlay works as it should.

I'm still having an intermitten problem getting Internet Explorer to launch.
Clicking the icon causes the hour glass pointer to appear then after about 3
seconds it returns to normal without launching Internet Explorer. Repeated
attempts still will not open the program. I noticed one day that if I place
"Any" CD in the CD Drive the "lock-up" frees itself after the autoplay
engages after inserting a CD. Then Internet Explorer will launch. If I have
tried 3 times then 3 Internet Explorer windows will appear. It's like the
computer is waiting for something else to happen before launching Internet
Explorer.

I hope this make the situation clearer or could this still be an autoplay
problem?

You stated "Also, in the root directory remove any autorun.inf's listed."

Do you mean the root C:\ ? Can I do a windows search for any file named
"autoplay.inf" and deleate all?

 

[Kelly]

Hi Sam,

Do you mean the root C:\ ? Can I do a windows search for any file named
"autoplay.inf" and deleate all?

Yes.

As per the rest, it may play a part as this sounds odd (three times). Is IE
patched to date? What is listed here:

Right click My Network Places/Properties/Advanced (top toolbar)/Dial-Up
Preferences/Enable Auto-Dial by Location/Uncheck all locations and check off
always ask me before auto dialing. Also, Disable autodial while I am logged
on.

What is listed here: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/StartupTracker3.zip

Is your system clean?

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update each program, once installed, before running.

Free Online Virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

*HBTM*

"Sam Harris - Greenville, NC"