I seem to have trouble when clicking on a link in an e-mail or even on a page on the internet. When I click on it, an empty frame will appear and the hourglass will appear and that is all that happens. Does anyone know where the problem may lie???? I am so desperate! ************************************************** 06-29-02, 01:22 AM TomGL2 Reinstalling Internet Explorer usually fixes this kind of problem. How you do so depends on whether you have updated Internet Explorer.
If you have, then click Start, point to Settings and click Control Panel, then double-click Add/Remove Programs. Double-click "Microsoft Internet Explorer...", then select "Repair..." and click OK.
If the repair cannot be completed, or does not resolve the problem, repeat the above steps but choose "Add a component", then click OK. Select "Internet Explorer Web Browser", click Next, choose "Reinstall all components" and click OK.
If you are not using an updated version, then Repair is not an option. You can either reinstall Windows to restore damaged or missing files and Registry entries, or download and install an updated version. ************************************************** 06-29-02, 11:52 AM Knutso Thanks for your suggestions, Tom, but I've been working on this all morning and nothing has changed. I just finished reinstalling Windows and that did not help, either. I am SO frustrated!! Any other suggestions?? ************************************************** 06-29-02, 07:57 PM K.K. On my internet provider service, if I let my e-mail storage get too large this starts happening,and a good filing cabinet cleaning and compacting usually clears it. Also I have to delete my old mail and the copies of my sent mail. My mail volume is imaginably quite large and this is a bi-weekly task for me. I hope this helps. ************************************************** 06-29-02, 09:28 PM Knutso Thanks, KingKrimson, but even after spending the last hour deleting, saving, etc. my e-mail (which, I must admit, was LONG overdue), I still cannot get the links to work. ************************************************** 06-29-02, 11:05 PM Tree I had a problem similar to yours, but not on such a big scale. I did exactly what KK has suggested to you, but, did you restart your computer after downsizing your email storage? If not, then do it! AND HOPEFULLY things will be back to normal then!! wink ************************************************** 06-30-02, 01:19 AM Knutso Thank you, Tree. I'll try anything but, alas, restarting did not cure my link problem. mad ************************************************** 06-30-02, 03:24 AM Dwight This is the title of an article by Microsoft about this problem... Click Here to see Microsoft Article
Just in case the link doesn't work for you, here is the text of the article: (but there is more at the site)
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000 Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
CAUSE This problem can occur if the registration of the Urlmon.dll file is corrupted.
RESOLUTION To resolve this problem, reregister Urlmon.dll. To do this, follow these steps:
Quit all programs that are running.
Click Start , and then click Run .
In the Open box, type regsvr32 urlmon.dll , and then click OK . The following message appears:
DllRegisterServer in urlmon.dll succeeded. Click OK .
I hope this will help!
Dwight ************************************************** 07-01-02, 01:23 AM KC Thank you for the help! I've been suffering for some time with this and type a lot of links. Guess I'll have to sign off to try this. Wish me luck. Just decided to read an unsolicited email tonight with the news of this site. Hmmm... KC wink ************************************************** 07-01-02, 11:03 AM Knutso Thank you, Dwight, for your advice. Unfortunately, again, I am stuck with the same problem. Even the installation of VM as suggested at the Microsoft site doesn't help. I must say, though, that it's not always ALL links that do not work. I can click on links in Answer Pool all the way to the replies, but when I clicked on either of the links in your reply, Dwight, neither of them worked. This is what is happening ALL THE TIME and it is unbelievably frustrating. frown ************************************************** 07-01-02, 04:55 PM TomGL2 Which of these links work (if any)? When you right-click these links and click "Open in New Window", what happens?
Open in same window ************************************************** 07-01-02, 05:28 PM Dixie Are you using a "pop up stopper"? I can't click on Dwight's links with it turned on. If it's turned off, it works just fine. If that is the problem, you can usually doubleclick on the popup stopper to turn it off. I think that holding down the control key and clicking on the link works, also. ************************************************** 07-01-02, 07:14 PM Knutso Tom, when I right click your links and try to open in a new window, I get an empty frame with a never-ending hourglass (for all three of them). I tried left clicking all of them with the same result. Dixie, I don't use my pop up killer anymore, but I just went and deleted it anyway, restarted and went back to Tom's links - and got the same result. GRRRRRRRRRRRR....... ************************************************** 07-01-02, 08:50 PM Tree Sheesh! Looks like you have everyone stumped!!!
I'm grasping at straws here! But, HEY! What the heck!
Maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with something that was downloaded and included some spyware??? You just never know these days.
Here is a site that you can go to and download a program called "ad-aware" and it enables you to get rid of all that spy ware that may be lurking on your computer.
FIRST, I'll type out the address - then I'll post the link - cuz I darn well know that you can't use the link!!!
http"//www.lavasoft.de
For the link: Ad-aware Like I said... try it... you just never know! ************************************************** 07-01-02, 08:57 PM Tree sorry.. type-o!!
http://www.lavasoft.de ************************************************** 07-01-02, 09:15 PM Knutso Thanks for your contribution, Tree. I downloaded your suggested software. Still have blank frames when I click links. mad ************************************************** 07-01-02, 09:28 PM TomGL2 If you've done a "repair" reinstallation of Windows, then reinstalled Internet Explorer, the remaining option may be a clean Windows installation.
If you have Internet Explorer 6, it is important to uninstall it (and Outlook Express 6) prior to a Windows repair reinstallation. If you have not done this, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q312474 (How to Remove Internet Explorer 6.0...). ************************************************** 07-01-02, 10:41 PM Tree OK... you mentioned that you DOWNLOADED Ad-aware, but did you actually go into it and delete all the spyware??? Lemme know. I feel for you. ************************************************** 07-02-02, 03:46 PM nerdqueendeluxe Thanks, the popup stopper might be what's messing up Dwight's (and some Pool)links for me also. I can read them all but some supercede the page I am on and some open a new window. If I click on the link and then X out the new site I am often back to desktop. ************************************************** 07-02-02, 08:16 PM Knutso Tom, a few days ago I did update Internet Explorer 6, and then I completely reinstalled Windows 98. BUT, I did not uninstall Explorer first. I just checked out the site (manually, of course!) you mentioned and read that it must be uninstalled first, just as you suggest. So...I'm crossing my fingers, rolling up my sleeves...and I'M GOING IN!! (If you don't hear back from me today, it's either because I've completely paralyzed my computer, or I'm still doing laundry......lol big grin ************************************************** 07-02-02, 10:34 PM KC I still can't get links to work. I've tried: reset urlmon; email wasn't an issue; I ran adware last month and found no serious problems. Ran it again and found nothing new; Happens when pop-upstopper is removed; I tried the links listed above. They all forwarded to a support.microsoft page; Win 98 SE does not allow me to repair IE or Windows. Links to unsubscribe from unsolicited or junk email never work. Other links where a name appears give errors: error on page or script error. hyperlinks occasinally work, not the one in messge above to another MS site. At first I thought this could be real, but not after another hundred sites. I have the disk to upgrade to XP Pro. Some people say upgrading fixes operating system problems? ************************************************** 07-03-02, 08:32 PM Knutso Tom, I uninstalled Internet Explorer 6 following the instructions on the Microsoft web page (by editing the registry), then reinstalled Windows 98, then reinstalled Internet Explorer 6. My feelings of COMPUTER RAGE returned when I clicked on a link and the same empty frame and never-ending hourglass appeared. I think I'll go back to my laundry - my washing machine is working just fine. Now if I can only teach it to play games with me....... roll eyes ************************************************** 07-04-02, 10:57 PM TomGL2 A clean install of Windows is likely the sole remaining option. Prior to doing so, create a Startup Disk via Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup disk. You'll need a 1.44 MB floppy (3½" HD). If your system can boot from the CD drive, this step is not needed.
Save these folders in a new folder on C:\ or another drive:
WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book WINDOWS\Desktop WINDOWS\Favorites WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages
This will allow you to restore your email, address book, etc. None of your other data should be affected.
You must also have the 25-character Product Key to complete the installation. If you do not have a copy, click Start, Run, type "RegEdit" and press Enter. In the left pane, double-click the Registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, Software, Microsoft, Windows
and click CurrentVersion. In the right pane, locate the name ProductKey. Record the characters in the data column to the right.
If you do not have a Windows CD, you must locate the installation files on the hard drive, and move that folder if it is in the Windows folder. Use Find to locate "Win98*.CAB" (the correct folder will contains dozens of matching files), and move the entire folder to C:\.
For example, if the folder is Windows\Options\CABS\Win98, right-click the Win98 folder and click Cut. Double-click My Computer and the C: drive icon, then click Edit and Paste.
To reinstall Windows, put the Startup floppy or Windows CD in its drive, then restart the computer. If you have a Windows CD, choose "Start computer with CD-ROM support", otherwise choose "Start computer without CD-ROM support".
Type "C:\Windows\Smartdrv C+" and press Enter (this is not required, but will allow the following steps to complete more quickly). To delete the Windows folder, type "C:\Windows\Command\Deltree C:\Windows" and press Enter. You'll be ask to confirm that you want to delete the folder.
If you are reinstalling from the CD, have the Windows disk in the drive and type "D:Setup" (I assume the CD drive is D: -- if you booted from the floppy, the drive letter will be one higher). If the installation files are on the hard drive, you would typically use "C:\Win98\Setup" or similar to invoke the program. Use the name of the folder which contains the CAB files. ************************************************** 07-05-02, 07:14 PM KC Glad someone else gets frustrated with these technical devices. If something can go wrong it seems to go wrong with my computer. I'm tired of the practice and frequently do laundry or help my kids with their homework instead! I'm having the same sort of links problems, so far suggestions hasn't solved it. Have XP Pro disk here. Wonder if installing it will solve these problems. Suggestions anyone? ************************************************** 07-06-02, 11:31 AM Knutso Tom - You are wonderful. I have printed out your instructions and will start working on it as soon as my headache is gone. If it doesn't work, I'll throw out this computer and get an Etch-a-Sketch. Someone said they work better. KC - hang in there with me! lol ************************************************** 07-08-02, 08:24 AM kenvan54 I had EXACTLY the same problem. It was caused by a "pop-up killer" type application. If you have one....disable it and see if that helps!! ************************************************** 07-08-02, 12:04 PM KC We both tried the pop up killers theory last week, but no effect. Thanks. ************************************************** 07-08-02, 12:27 PM Knutso I followed your instructions on the clean install - I think I was unclear on your last sentence of instructions, on the setup. All of my stuff has disappeared (desktop looks like it did when I first bought it!) and I am unable to even access the internet or outlook (I am posting this reply from work!). I have the files saved as you recommended - the problem is - how do I retrieve them all so that they are working again????? The other thing is I am only able to use 6 COLOURS on my screen - where did my 16 bit colour go??? YIKES!!!!! ************************************************** 07-08-02, 06:25 PM TomGL2 Reinstall the drivers for your PCI and videocards. The general method is to right-click My Computer, then click Properties and Device Manager. Choose "View devices by type".
To reinstall the videocard driver (for example), put the videocard driver CD in its drive. Double-click Display Adapter and the listed videocard (probably "Standard PCI Graphics Adapter").
Click Driver, Update Driver, Next, and Next. Select "CD-ROM drive", click Next. Windows should report "...found an updated driver...". Click Next to install the driver, and allow the computer to restart to complete the process.
The modem and soundcard drivers are installed by the same method. Some drivers include automated installers, however, and you simply put the CD in the drive to launch the installer. In some cases, you might need to located a specific setup program. SoundBlaster driverr, for instance, are installed by launching either of CTRUN\Ctrun.exe, AUDIO\ENGLISH\SETUP\Setup.exe; or via the Device Manager, whoch should find the drivers in AUDIO\ENGLISH\WIN95DRV.
Once the drivers are installed, use the Internet Connection Wizard to configure your Internet Connection. You may launch it by right-clicking the Internet Explorer icon and clicking Properties, Connections, and Setup.
To restore the folder you saved, copy their comtents into the existing folders; or, in most cases, you can replace the current folder with the saved copy.
Restoring your email takes one extra step. In the C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities folder you saved is a folder with a scary name (CLSID) similar to {FBF63B10-5B86-421B-8E00-5150806FA179}.
Start Outlook Express, click Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder, and Change. Select the correct CLSID and click OK until Tools closes, then close and restart OE. You should see all your mail intact. ************************************************** 07-08-02, 06:38 PM Knutso Tom, are you saying all of my programs need to be reinstalled? YIKES. I don't have a video card CD anymore - it was lost at the computer store. Can I download one somewhere? I can't open outlook - it says MSOE.dll could not be loaded. I'm not sure what you mean by "copy their contents into the existing folder" to restore my old settings. Thanks. ************************************************** 07-08-02, 09:17 PM TomGL2 The non-Windows drivers and programs do need to be reinstalled. That Outlook Express does not run even after a clean install strongly suggests that the computer has a hardware problem which is causing data corruption.
Manually remove and reinstall Outlook Express. To do this, click Start, point to Programs and click Control Panel, then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
If "Microsoft Outlook Express" appears in the programs list, double-click the entry and uninstall the program.
If the program does not appear in the list, click Windows Setup (there will be some activity), clear the checkbox beside "Outlook Express", then click Apply and OK.
Right-click My Computer, click Explore, then click View and Folder Options. Click View and select "Show all files", then click Apply and OK.
C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express (this folder may be absent)
After opening each folder, click Edit, Select All, File, and Delete. This will ensure that no corrupt files remain. Do not delete the folders themselves.
If "Microsoft Internet Explorer..." appears in Add/Remove Programs, double-click the entry, choose "Add a component" and click OK. Select "Outlook Express", click Next, and complete the installation.
If it does not appear in Add/Remove Programs, click Windows Setup, tick the checkbox beside "Outlook Express", then click Apply (you may be prompted for your Windows CD) and OK.
Outlook Express should now be completely reinstalled. I suggest you use the System Files Checker "SFC.EXE" to determine if any damaged files exist in the system. I expect that you will find some. ************************************************** 07-08-02, 09:20 PM TomGL2 Device drivers almost always are available for download from the manufacturer. If you have a very old videocard, do a Google search for your model of videocard (include "driver" as a search term). ************************************************** 07-08-02, 09:29 PM Knutso I'm afraid of deleting and reinstalling outlook - will I lose all the mail I had in outlook? (P.S. - I did find the video driver at the manufacturer's site.) I'm wondering how to restore my old settings that I saved under identities, outlook, favourites, etc. ************************************************** 07-09-02, 02:27 AM TomGL2 Recall that you that saved the folders
WINDOWS\Application Data\Identities WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book WINDOWS\Desktop WINDOWS\Favorites WINDOWS\Offline Web Pages
in a new folder in C: (let's say its name is "SavedFolders"). The email is in the Identities folder. To restore the email, open SavedFolders and Identities, then click Edit, Select All, Edit, Copy. Open the Windows\Application Data\Identities folder, then click Edit and Paste.
Note the name of the folder which you copied. Open Outlook Express, click Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Folder, and Change. Browse to C:\Windows\Application Data\Identities\{the long filename you noted)\Microsoft\Outlook Express, then click OK, OK, OK, and close Outlook Express. When you next open Outlook Express, you should see all your mail.
To restore your Favorites, open SavedFolders\Favorites, then click Edit, Select All, Edit, Copy. Open Windows\Favorites, then click Edit and Paste. You'll be prompted that some items already exist -- click "Yes to all".
Restore your Address Book, Desktop shortcuts, and Offline Web Pages in the same way. ************************************************** 07-10-02, 02:49 PM donaldekliros Knutso: 07/10/2002
TomGL2 has given you just about every conceivable method to restore your Windows OS short of Reformatting the Hard Drive.
TomGL2 also said in his post of 07:08:2002 @ 09:17 PM that the problem you are having with Outlook Express strongly suggest that YOUR computer has a hardware problem.
He even gave you a method of manually installing the Outlook Express.
If you have done everything up to & including his post of 07/09/2002 @ 02:27 AM & your computer still does not open some LINKS, then I would suggest at this point that you:
Reformat your Hard Disk.
However, before doing a Reformat:
(1). I would suggest that your save the files that he mentioned in his post of 07/09/2002 @ 2:27 AM to either 'A' Drive Floppies or better still to a couple of 250-MB Zip Drive Floppies or to a 650-Mb CW-RW Drive Diskette, if you have one or the other of these type Drives.
If you do not have one or the other I would strongly suggest that you buy one or the other for future problems of this nature. YOU WON'T BE DISIPPOINTED IN DOING THIS.
(2). In addition I would suggest that you save all other application & other programs that you may have in your computer to CD-RW Diskettes.
Of coarse, you need either a ZIP Drive or a CW-RW Drive to save the data to their respective Floppies or Diskettes.
After saving all the data that you want to restore after reformatting, then do the following:
Be sure that you have your Win CD-ROM OS & a Start up Diskette on a 'A' Floppy, as TomGL2 suggested that you generate.
Insert the Startup Diskette into the 'A' Drive. Insert the CD-ROM OS into the 'D' Drive.
Restart your computer. When you get to the A Prompt, select CD-ROM support & enter & then CD to C Drive & type:
Format C:\
& enter & wait while the hard Disk is reformatted
When the Hard Disk is reformatted
CD to D:\Windows & type:
D:\setup
& enter & wait while the Win OS is installed. May take about 3/4-hr to 1-hr to install.
This should reinstall your OS, your Drivers & the Network programs to their proper operating condition.
Please do not post email addresses in open forums. Registered members can view your email address in your profile, if you wish to provide it.
[This message was edited by donaldekliros on 07-10-02 at 03:19 PM.]
[This message was edited by MiranndaGrey on 07-20-02 at 12:29 PM.] ************************************************** 07-10-02, 07:31 PM TomGL2 To clarify Donald's reply, add "My Documents" to the list of folders to save, plus any folders containing data created by your installed programs. These are typically in the root folder (C, and in the Program Files folders containing the programs.
Investing in a Zip or CD-RW drive is also good advice.
Just a reminder that, when you start the computer with a Windows Startup disk, your CD-ROM drive letter(s) are one higher than usual, so the command would be "E:\Setup". When booting from the Windows CD, it's "D:\Setup". ************************************************** 07-10-02, 08:59 PM Knutso Tom, you're not going to believe this, but all your hard work at giving me suggestions has PAID OFF!!! My links are working and I have restored my Outlook Express mail. For your (or anyone else's information) when I ran sfc.exe the following file came up as corrupt: setupx.dll Thank you, also, Donald for your input. I will print all of your and Tom's instructions in case this happens again in the future. Again, THANK YOU TOM for your help. ************************************************** 07-10-02, 10:40 PM Tree I'm SOOOO glad that you're back to normal! I've been checking daily on your post to see what's happening! You certainly had fabulous help from some of the best people around!!!
I've been looking for solutions myself, but I think the "brainiacs" did the job for you!
Welcome back!!!! smile ************************************************** 07-10-02, 11:04 PM Knutso Thanks, Tree, for your help in the past also. KC - how's it going with you? Were you able to solve your link problem? big grin ************************************************** 07-10-02, 11:24 PM TomGL2 I'm so relieved to hear this! And I'm glad you didn't need to reformat the drive -- when you do a backup/format/restore, there's always something you forget to copy.
I also want to give credit where credit is due -- and that's to Knutso. Following lengthy, complex instructions is not easy, particularly for a rookie who may be more that a little intimidated by both the task and the machine.
So kudos to Knutso, for confidence and persistence enough to get the job done.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
, and in the Program Files folders containing the programs.
