Explorer Slow To Load

[Phil Squares]

One of my computers (a desktop) is experiencing a problem I can't quite seem to fix.

When you click on Internet Explorer to open it, it takes 30-45 seconds to open. I have run numerous anti-virus programs. (I am protected by Grisoft and Spy Sweeper) I have run Ad-Aware and Spybot. All programs indicate no problems.

I have reinstalled Explorer along with the latest SP. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Conan the Librarian]

Go and download Firefox. Better browser in many peoples' books. That way, you can bypass the problem entirely.


Conan

[Phil Squares]

I have actually tried Firefox. I don't mind it, but on that computer I'm not the only one using it. The majority of the rest of my family prefers to use IE.

[kriss1000]

If you have Java installed then the update 6 installs a BHO
uninstall the update and IE will work fine

[Gouabafla]

When did you last defrag your hard drive? Explorer can be very slow on a highly fragmented drive.

[BOAC]

Phil - what is your 'home page' - could that have slowed up?

[Phil Squares]

When did you last defrag your hard drive? Explorer can be very slow on a highly fragmented drive.

No, that's not it. The hard drive is defraged on a regular basis (1xweek). In addition, it's the same home page that's been there for the last 10 years. No flash or anything like that. Even going to a "blank" homepage doesn't improve things.

[Gouabafla]

In that case, I'd definitely look at your Java set up as Kriss1000 suggests.

[maxell]

try this
In IE6 click on tools / manage add ons
Disable addons except Java
You may want to enable them singly if it cures the problem until you find the culprit

[kriss1000]

You can try this:

1. click on IE
2. go to to your root dir (usually C:)
3. open Documents and Settings folder
4. open "your username folder"
5. open UserData
6. **close IE if you have it open**
rename index.dat to index.old
logoff and log back on (don't need to restart)

open up IE and go to a web page or site that always seemed to load slowly. It should load a lot more quickly now.

Remember:

Always rename or backup.dat or other system files before deleting.

[kriss1000]

You can try this:

1. click on IE
2. go to to your root dir (usually C:)
3. open Documents and Settings folder
4. open "your username folder"
5. open UserData
6. **close IE if you have it open**
rename index.dat to index.old
logoff and log back on (don't need to restart)

open up IE and go to a web page or site that always seemed to load slowly. It should load a lot more quickly now.

Remember:

Always rename or backup.dat or other system files before deleting.

Have you ever had Norton installed on your system it renowned for slowing down IE, if you have you needto get rid of all the HIDDEN files Let me know

[Phil Squares]

Have never used Norton. I am on a trip right now, but will try all the suggestions when I get home on Monday....

Cheers to all

[Tosh McCaber]

Actually,--- I have the same problem in Firefox. Any suggestions?

[BlankBox]

... how much ram does your sys have...not enough ....could create this situation.

[Phil Squares]

... how much ram does your sys have...not enough ....could create this situation.


As for my desktop, it has 2GB ram, so that's not the issue

[kriss1000]

Phil

You can try this its actually for Explorer but works incase its an explorer problem its hard to tell.

Set a restore point first...

Start Run Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer
\RemoteComputer\NameSpace
Highlight the {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} Value and delete it: right-click on it -> select Delete -> click OK.

This Registry change takes effect immediately.
Just start MS IE while connected to the network/internet.

[missioncontrol]

Kris1000,

If you decide to install another browser such as firefox, is it safe to delete the IE browser (presumably using uninstall programs), or will this cause other programs to stop working?

Also is it safe to use Outlook Express with Firefox or can you recommend a better e-mail program?

Thanks very much for any advice.

mc

[Gouabafla]

You can uninstall IE, but it is a real pain as the Windows system is, to some extent, built around IE. To be honest, (and I'm a keen Firefox evangelist) it's worth keeping IE on your system as some sites - especially Windows Update - function better with it.

I'm not entirely convinced that it is ever safe to run Outlook Express - with or without Firefox. Many viruses and such are targetted at OE, not because it's intrinsically unsafe, but because it is incredibly popular. Thunderbird (by the same people as Firefox) is a good alternative.

Firefox can be horribly slow to load. This can be due to the number of extensions or half a dozen other things. If you search for firefox speed up on Google you will find thousands of sites looking at the problem. I've been impressed with fire tune (http://www.totalidea.com/freestuff4.htm) a utility for tweaking firefox, though you can get better performance if you do the tweaking manually (but that's a real hassle).

[kriss1000]

Hi Mission control,

Gouabafla has given you the answer I actually use Opera web browser its full of functions as for his comments on Outlook Express I Totally agree with him its always been unsafe there`s supposedly a new version of IE due out its in Beta testing so there will be an update regarding Outlook Express, I am on AOL so use their e-mail or the e-mail with Opera.

I have 2 laptops with IE uninstalled but as answered its a pain to get the window updates without going into a load of coding etc...

[Phil Squares]

Thanks to all that replied with suggestions. It appears as if the problem was a Java add-on. Works fine now!!:)