Computer help-why is my web browser freezing?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
Have one I can't figure out guys, I can't click on anything that opens into a new browser window. Doing so immediately locks up my browser and requires a control alt delete.
I'm using yahoo DSL, the browser is basically internet explorer. I tried updating it and it says I have the most up to date version. I can right click and open stuff into a new tab without trouble, but not everything will load that way.
This seemed to crop up after letting my CA security suite expire for a week. My computer picked up a bunch of junk even though anti-virus was still active. I got the full secuirty set up again and it took awhile but I think I have it all cleaned out again. Some stuff was very difficult.

Any ideas?
 
Internet Explorer can be set either to allow clicking on something to open a new window or not allow it -- it's called the popup blocker. My first suggestion is whichever way yours is set, try it the other way -- if the popup blocker is on turn it off, if it's off turn it on.

Of course it shouldn't lock up the browser, but that might be where the problem is -- since you said you can right-click and open in another window -- that bypasses the popup blocker.
 
what are you useing as a security suite and anti-vir? it sounds like you have a hi-jacker. there are programs that can install into IE under the guise of a pop-up blocker, but they arn't. search up a copy of "spy-bot search and destroy" from your favorite free software site (I use http://www.tucows.com) and run that, it's free and finds stuff that may other things don't. blatant plug follows. use Spy-bot SD, Avast antivirus and Firefox. support open source. end blatant plug
 
Thanks guys, I think its fixed now. All I had to do was post the question :D

I'm running CA anti virus and security center. CA stands for computer associates if I remember correctly. Its one of the recommended programs on the microsoft website fwiw. Im not 100% sold on it, but its cheaper than some of the other options and doesn't rape my system resources like mcafee and norton do.

I did have several persistant spyware/virus files on the computer that I couldn't seem to get rid of. Winantispy, and a few other ones. I eventually had to block all internet access with my firewall and run anti-spy and anti virus a few times. If I was still connected, the file would immediately replace itself after being deleted.
The problem with the browser persisted after doing that the first time, but I did it again after posting this because my real time virus scanning started popping warnings up again. It seems to be fixed for now.

So thanks for the suggestions. I may try the spyware program anyhow and see if it clears anything else out. I couldn't download it before because the window that prompts run/save on the download would freeze my browser :mad:
 
I'm running CA anti virus and security center. CA stands for computer associates if I remember correctly. Its one of the recommended programs on the microsoft website fwiw. Im not 100% sold on it, but its cheaper than some of the other options and doesn't rape my system resources like mcafee and norton do.
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I agree that McAfee and Norton are resourse pigs, especially if allowed to autorun and run constantly in the background. They're popular only because they have deals to get their software installed on OEM machines, so it's on there when people buy it. It can be a real pain to completely remove all of their files too.

AVG and Avast are good freeware anti-virus programs that I've used in the past.

So thanks for the suggestions. I may try the spyware program anyhow and see if it clears anything else out. I couldn't download it before because the window that prompts run/save on the download would freeze my browser
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Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and HiJack This are good freeware resources for removing spyware and junk. Which program will work best depends on exactly what virus/spyware you're infected with.

Hitting Control-Alt-Delete will tell what all is running in the background on your computer. Look for files in the Windows folder that don't belong. And use startup program to see and limit which programs are automatically started when the computer boots.

You'll also have better luck if you boot Windows in Safe Mode, then run the virus/spyware programs.

Good Luck with all of that!
-Bob
 
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