I'm Having An Argument With My Desktop... Can Anybody Help?:(
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
April 18, 2009 6:04pm CST
Firstly, I have to apologise to my friends for the little time spent in here and the inability to respond to my notifications. I'm having an argument with my desktop and I'm at a loss as to how to put things right. So, I thought I'd give out a shout for help in here, in the hope that somebody up in IT might be able to advise me.
What happened was, I uninstalled Firefox because it was giving me grief. I had been using that as my main Internet Browser but I also have the settings to allow access to IE and MSN Explorer. Once I'd uninstalled, I rebooted my computer and clicked on the Internet Explorer button... no go... it timed out on me, and closed down. Then, I tried MSN Explorer and a similar thing happened but with the popup window saying that it would like to repair my MSN. Clicked on repair, and still, nothing. It won't sign in.
I have Yahoo Messenger open, and my Incredimail, which I reinstalled because it was less bother than the other email I have. I haven't tried MSN Messenger, but I doubt I can get that either. I've tried everything I can think of, but I'm still not having any luck getting a browser window to load up. Does anybody have any ideas, pleeeeease? Are there any IT people out there who are clued up on the settings etc? I can't even download the browsers again, as I can't get a window. This sucks! I can't handle using a laptop full time, and besides, the majority of my files are on my desktop.
I'm desperate now... please can somebody advise me?
5 people like this
15 responses
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
20 Apr 09
This sounds like a memory job (well, it was with me) but I must confess, I'm no expert - I had this trouble with my own puter, and now it's happening with this one.
I think you need to 'defragment' the disc - this gets rid of a load of c**p that gets stored there from updates etc. Each time you get an update it gets installed and takes up more memory. I'm too much of a coward to do these things myself - I'm on Vista, which is practically impossible for novices to DIY at the moment - so I'm "calling in a plumber."
Try googling for help on the browser forums - there's generally someone who can help. If it was me (and it is) I'd go straight to Yellow Pages - a tec geek will sort you out in half an hour for around thirty quid.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 09
The memory reminder does have a habit of popping up on my computer my friend, but I defrag regularly, as well as cleaning up the disk. I did both of those in a last-ditch effort to put it right, and then system restored. The system restored once, putting the Firefox icon back into my system, but not the programme! Grrrrr. Everything else is just fine... I can receive and send mail, talk on messengers; just about everything except open a IE browser window, which naturally, messes me completely up! LuckyAttraction has been very helpful and I've tried all her suggestions but now, I'm about to start backing up that which isn't backed up and reconfiguring the whole windows setup! It's something I didn't wish to do, but when all else fails, there's no other avenue to take.
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution.
1 person likes this
@jazzsue58 (2666)
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24 Apr 09
I'm glad you're less of a coward than I would be! New washers on taps - check. New parts on the car - check. BUT new things going wrong with the puter - double uncheck. I don't go there!
What a bummer though, eh, when all you want to do is just get on and work?
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
the best thing for you to do is to save all your files on to another hard drive or CD (which you should in the future for back up)then reformat your PC. but of course, you have to try cleaning your PC with your anti virus and registry cleaner (cleaner or uniblue will do) plus your usual disk clean up and defragmentation. if everything else fails , send it to your PC doctor.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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20 Apr 09
I have done all the registry cleaning, scanning, system restore, and just about everything I can think of my friend, but it doesn't help. I only want to deconfigure and reconfigure as an absolute last resort, as there's nothing wrong with anything else on my computer. It's merely that I can't get a Browser Window up, and I know there's a solution but I'm not computer-wise enough to figure it out. If it comes to it, I will have to phone Dell Support and fix it over the phone but it hardly seems worth paying £40 for something which I know I can eventually figure myself.
Thank you for your contribution and Brightest Blessings.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160491)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I am not much help, but I went through a phase of having to disable my Norton Security in order to use Firefox, but that problem has passed now. For a couple of months every time I shut down the computer I had to go through the same thing. Are your cookies blocked. That is what everyone always asks me when I have a problem.
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 Apr 09
I don't have Norton... I got rid of it a long time ago and replaced it with AVG because it caused me too many problems. No, I don't have my cookies blocked... I have to keep clearing them, lol. I doubt Yahoo Messenger would work with those blocked anyway. I'm just at a loss as to what's causing this. I even did a system restore to before my uninstall of Firefox, but to no avail. 
Thank you for trying, my friend. I'm grateful to you, but I fear it's something I'm missing somewhere. It's only affecting my Internet browsers. Brightest Blessings.
Thank you for trying, my friend. I'm grateful to you, but I fear it's something I'm missing somewhere. It's only affecting my Internet browsers. Brightest Blessings.1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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20 Apr 09
I went to the updates, my friend, and found it difficult to download or fix the IE or Windows Explorer. It's refusing me for some reason but I'm going to go back and try again as this seems one of the most sensible suggestions. They all seem to think I have a virus but I don't, as I've run my AVG and everything else is connected to my ISP. There has to be something wrong with the settings somewhere but I can't find it. I've restored most Internet settings to default, but still no joy with the windows. It's driving me nuts here!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. xx
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
23 Apr 09
Even though you were using Firefox you still should have been able to switch between the two browsers.
In any case, if you are unable to browse the Internet though, your first port of call should be your service provider. Inability to browse is actually a connectivity problem. Ring your help desk and they should be able to sort out your problems.
I sincerely hope you get things sorted soon, my own problems seem to be multiplying -
I'm determined to win however!. Brightest Blessings.
I'm determined to win however!. Brightest Blessings. @Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 09
Ok... I'll try my ISP first, as you suggest but I'm not at all sure they can help. I think it's more a Dell troubleshooter problem which does cost. There's no harm in trying though. I just hope you're right because I don't relish the thought of the time it takes to deconfigure and reconfigure. Thank you my friend... fingers crossed!
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 09
I'm wondering my friend, whether the new IE browsers are compatible with my ISP, because one time, she did mention that the Service Package 2 or 3 was not. She told me to get rid and go back to the old one. I'm hitting my head against a brick wall with it really because I can't go back to the old one, even if I want to, and IE has not worked properly on my computer for some time. It was very slow at the best of times, which is why I downloaded Firefox. It seems that uninstalling Firefox has taken something out which allows IE to open the browser properly. I've tried everything and it isn't a connection problem because I am able to receive and send mail, talk on messenger and use several other programmes. I just can't get my internet browsers to open properly. Sure, they try, but IE keeps coming up with a message saying it's "timed out" and has to close. Firefox is of course, completely inactive and I can't reinstall that without an IE window. lol.
I think I'm going to have to completely deconfigure and reconfigure my computer to get it to work. Thank you for your help, my friend, and Brightest Blessings. xx
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
24 Apr 09
I'm a bit confused...if you cannot open your browser, how can you use any programes? I can understand your mail and messenger (I assume you mean Live chat) are working but without a browser, you cannot use the Internet and this IS a problem which your Internet Service Provider can help you fix by taking you into DOS and resetting whatever needs to be reset. It should not cost anything to contact the help desk of your Internet Service Provider.
If you are thinking of reformatting your desktop,(wiping everything clean and starting fresh) remember to back everything up on disk first...or if you have a suitably sized memory stick, use that. Reformatting seems a bit over the top though for what you are describing. Good luck. xxx
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I can't think why you would prefer IE to Firefox, and apparently you are undecided yourself. I say this simply because you're describing a confusion, and it has to first start in the mind in order to be manifesting in your life. Anytime I have anything going on in my external world that is not what I want I go inward and locate the thoughts that have a similar feeling to the circumstance and deal with it there. Often the situation just sort of 'magically' clears up on it's own.
The last two times I have had problems with my computer that had my kids using the dreaded 'r' word on me (reformat, hehehe), I have just shut my computer down for a few days while I cleaned up my vibration, and when I came back the problem had just disappeared.
Have you gone into the control panel, to 'add or remove programs' and then to 'add or remove windows components' to see if the box for IE is checked or unchecked? Or is your computer not necessarily set up that way? I don't know much about computers really, my kids are my tech support. I also have a friend in Australia who is an IT but he is on vacation. Isn't Raia's hubby skilled with computers?
I hope the situation resolves itself soon though, as computer problems are not very fun, unless of course you love to test your skills against the machine, hehehe.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 Apr 09
I don't prefer IE to Firefox... I loathe IE! What I in fact, tried to do, was to uninstall Firefox because it kept crashing and I thought it might be my add-ons. I intended to go to IE and reinstall Firefox afresh, but I couldn't open either IE or Windows Explorer... neither were working. Everything worked fine before the uninstall so it's not a virus and in any case, my security programme would have advised me of a virus trying to get in. I have to confirm everything different before it's allowed on my computer.
You were lucky. I keep trying mine, but it's not righted itself yet! Meantime, I'm doing everything I know. I don't want to go to Dell Support and pay £40 to put it right again, but if it comes to it, I will have to. Hopefully though, somebody will come up with the ideal solution. lol. Ever seen a pig fly? Sorry... negatives don't work... I'm ever hopeful!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution my friend.
Meantime, I'm doing everything I know. I don't want to go to Dell Support and pay £40 to put it right again, but if it comes to it, I will have to. Hopefully though, somebody will come up with the ideal solution. lol. Ever seen a pig fly? Sorry... negatives don't work... I'm ever hopeful!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution my friend.1 person likes this
@Jemina (5770)
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23 May 09
Computer problems 
I get that too often. A couple of times I couldn't get online even if I'm connected and nothing works so I'd perform system restore, disk clean up and run CCleaner but still internet is not loading in both browsers and even the messengers. Suddenly I realized the phone was unplugged
LOL! I know yours is a different case.
Anyway, I know how frustrating it can be when computers and internet break down. It's good you also got two computers so you were able to log in on the other one to seek help.
I get that too often. A couple of times I couldn't get online even if I'm connected and nothing works so I'd perform system restore, disk clean up and run CCleaner but still internet is not loading in both browsers and even the messengers. Suddenly I realized the phone was unplugged
LOL! I know yours is a different case.
Anyway, I know how frustrating it can be when computers and internet break down. It's good you also got two computers so you were able to log in on the other one to seek help.1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 May 09
That's the sort of thing I used to do! 
I'm on DSL now though, thank goodness. I can see when I'm connected or not connected from the lights on the box now. Yes, I did all that, and in the end found an online help service which cost me £8 from my Paypal account, but the guy who advised me was very swift and accurate, so I was up and running within twenty minutes, on the Saturday evening. It was so simple, yet something I wouldn't have known to do. Apparently, my IE was trying to run with no add-ons. lol.
Brightest Blessings, my friend and thank you for your contribution.
I'm on DSL now though, thank goodness. I can see when I'm connected or not connected from the lights on the box now. Yes, I did all that, and in the end found an online help service which cost me £8 from my Paypal account, but the guy who advised me was very swift and accurate, so I was up and running within twenty minutes, on the Saturday evening. It was so simple, yet something I wouldn't have known to do. Apparently, my IE was trying to run with no add-ons. lol.
Brightest Blessings, my friend and thank you for your contribution.1 person likes this
@Jemina (5770)
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24 May 09
It's fantastic to find someone online who could help when we need it most. It may have cost you that much but I'm sure the knowledge you acquired is more than you paid for.
We also use broadband (dsl + wireless connection) but sometimes I unplug the phone's main connection to not receive unwanted calls and I didn't know that if it was unplug internet won't work even. of course it won't, silly me.
But it's sometimes tricky because if I turn on the dsl it shows in my computer that I'm connected to internet but browsers won't open. Agh! Technology!
But it's sometimes tricky because if I turn on the dsl it shows in my computer that I'm connected to internet but browsers won't open. Agh! Technology! 1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
25 Apr 09
I am not a windows expert but if I were you, i would start to back up all critical files and be ready to rebuild the machine from scratch.
Both my husband and myself have shut the door on Windows because of these type of problems. (we have gone over to Mac's and in over 4 years have not had to rebuild or had a problem even close to what we had before.)
Your registry might be messed up...and that is not something the average joe smoe should be playing with.
Have you tried any repair utilities?
Goodluck
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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27 Apr 09
I tried just about everything except completely deconfiguring and reconfiguring my friend, but as a last resort, I phoned my ISP who said something was corrupting my IE file, and to phone my computer supplier's help section. They were out of the office for the weekend so I followed their instructions for immediate help online. For a small fee of £8, an expert told me what to do... it was so simple, I'd missed it but he got me up and running again, and now, I'm fine.
Brightest Blessings, and thank you for your contribution.
@mummymo (23706)
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27 Apr 09
For once I actually came and read the discussion instead of replying vie email as I didn't want to keep repeating what others had already told you. I am so pleased that you are up and running again sweety! I still can't understand your aversion to laptops though - all I ever use these days! xxxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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28 Apr 09
Laptops are handy at given times. I just can't get on with the sensitivity of the mouse and the keyboard being so far away from the front of the machine, on a full-time basis. It causes problems with my wrists and also, I keep catching wrong keys. You get used to where the keys are when you're trained to type, and they're difficult to get right when they're so far off, if you see what I mean. I also don't have a lot of my work on the laptop, as the storage space isn't so big, so all in all, I prefer to work on my desktop.
Thank you... it's brilliant to be back on here. I'm able to get much more done. Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution. xx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 May 09
That's ok, my friend. I don't fancy a round touch pad much, but as you say, I suppose you get used to that. What I'll never get used to is having to reach so far for the keys. Having suffered RSI previously, it tends to kill my wrists. I've thought out a plan though... if they were to move the touch-pad to the right-hand side, and put the number pad above it, as it is on a normal keyboard, then pull the actual keyboard to the front of the laptop... I'd be just fine!!! They'd probably have to make l/h and r/h ones then, but it would be all in a good cause. lol
They'd probably have to make l/h and r/h ones then, but it would be all in a good cause. lol
@raydene (9871)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Aww Poor Sweetie
I just hate when I have a prob with the puter.
I can not help except to say I'm so sorry you
are having a bad time with it.
I don't and haven't used a desktop in years
I just use my laptop.
Good luck Doll I hope someone helps you.
xoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 Apr 09
I'm using my laptop at the moment, but I feel restricted and limited. I much prefer my desktop and am desperate to get back to it. It's my "office". I have loads of darts stuff to get tied up within the next week, or two, ready for Finals Night, and I'm getting frantic now. I've done a load of it by hand but I need to get it entered, saved and printed off. I don't feel confident with doing it on the laptop... it's too sensitive and I keep losing things! lol.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.xx
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Hey Darkwing,
I spent months as you may recall trying to get my desktop straightened out. Part of my problem was I downloaded avg and StopZilla, both free. After experiencing all that you are and more, I finally uninstalled AVG and StopZilla. I have PC Tools Spyware Doctor, and Registry Mechanic both of which I paid for. I also have Windows Live Messenger instead of just windows mail. My browser is Windows internet explorer. Knock on wood, things seem to finally be going well. PC ToolsSpyware Doctor is great. I'm sure others here will help you out. Good luck Sweetie!! Hugsssssssss
leenie
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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19 Apr 09
I don't have any problems at all with AVG. I started with the free one but after about three years of problem-less computing, I decided to upgrade. It didn't cost a fortune and has included Spyware and Adware programmes. It's been great for me, but the one thing that you might have inadvertantly done is to have left on your Windows firewall together with the AVG. Not all firewalls are compatible and they work against each other when you have both on, so my Windows firewall is switched off to accommodae my AVG. I've had the upgrade for a year next month and never a problem, added to the three or four years before that, with the free one.
Brightest Blessings my friend and thank you for your contribution.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 Apr 09
Thank you my friend... I'm still trying... spending hours, in fact. I just can't see what's wrong, even when following the advice of some of the respondents here, with the things I haven't already done. Some don't seem to realise that I just can't get a window up to install or operate things! Sheeeesh!
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I think you are absolutely right. I had an overload so I started getting rid of things and now I'm doing ok. I had a lot of help from Mylot friends, my hubby, my ex-hubby, my Son and on and on. I'm still holding my breath at times. Good luck!
Hugsssssss
leenie
1 person likes this
@jeiay41 (674)
• United States
24 May 09
First thing you need to do is reinstall your IE or Mozilla. Install it again and if same problem occurs, im thinking one thing write now to solve that problem, throw it away and buy one, hehe just kidding. Your last option would be reformat your hard drive. This is a hard task to do because you need to backup your files before doing this. If you dont know to reformat, call a technician to do it for you.
1 person likes this
@neerajpandey_13 (1765)
• India
19 Apr 09
I think you need to completely format your system and then again use install the firefox. This type of problem is common in firefox.
1 person likes this
@Casey23 (20)
• United States
19 Apr 09
The only thing I can say that may help you is that maybe you can install another Aperating systum on your computer.
You may have an unfound virus. Clear all the pictures saved on your computer onto a disk, and reinstall whatever operating systum you have.
A really good op systum is Ubuntu. Its rather hard to get a virus on it.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 Apr 09
Hi Casey... yes, I've considered reinstalling but I only want to do that as an absolute last resort, as I can't understand why everything else is working, yet I can't get a Browser Window up. I never heard of Ubuntu... is it a Browser?
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
19 Apr 09
Ok all I can suggest for now is restore it back to when you uninstalled Firefox
Then use the browser to download whatever you want to download
Even an older version of Firefox if need be
Try this and let me know if that does not work I will look at other things
Love you xxxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
20 Apr 09
I already system restored to that time, my friend and all browsers are inactive. I tried to restore to several earlier dates after that, with no success. I'm really at a loss here. I can't cope with the laptop only because a whole load of my notifications are gohttp://www.mylot.com/images/emotes/rasp.gifing to the desktop and it would take forever to seek them out. I've cleaned my disk, defragged, system restored, restored all my internet option settings to default, installed updates, everything I can possibly think of. Just one thing... when I try to open IE, it puts up a window, then a "Time-Out" notice, saying that it has to close.
Thank you for your suggestions my friend. I'm sorry I'm not about much just lately but I'm pretty frantic about all my darts stuff and everything as it's end of season and I need to tie everything up. If that has to be by hand, then sobeit, but it's taking forever. I wish I'd never uninstalled Firefox now but it kept crashing out on me. I'll keep trying different stuff, and in the end, probably have to phone Dell... another £40!!!
Brightest Blessings, love and hug.
Brightest Blessings, love and hug.1 person likes this
