Microsoft Internet Explorer by Yahoo locks up when trying to browse

Hello denverbronx,

Check if you have spyware.  Run antivirus and antispyware scans.

1. An addon may be interfering. Disable Addons.  If you have Windows XP SP2, go to Tools > Add-on Manager, and uncheck the addons.

If using Windows XP SP1 or earlier, disable third party extensions. With IE open, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced. Uncheck "Third party extensions". Click Ok. Reboot computer.

2. If no joy, check if a program running in the background is interfering with Internet Explorer. Temporarily disable antivirus and other security programs, firewall, toolbars like Google and Yahoo, and desktop programs like MSN and Goole.

A program like Spybot Search and Destroy or Windows Defender can lock your homepage.  Disable the programs and test.

3. Clear your cache.  Go to Tools > Internet Options > General tab.  Under Temporary Internet Files, click "Delete Files" button. Click OK.

4. Reset IE settings.  Go to Tools > Internet Options > Programs.  Click on "Reset Web Settings" button. Go to Advanced tab and click "Restore Defaults" button. Go to Security tab and move the bar to Medium or Default. Click OK. Close all browsers. Reboot the computer.

5. If no joy, run the System File Checker to repair any broken system files.  Go to Start > Run and type sfc /scannow
and hit OK.  You will need your Windows XP CD when asked.

6. Create a new user account in Windows.

7. If no joy, repair or reinstall Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
OR
http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_reinstall_ie_and_oe_6.htm
OR
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;318378

Hope this helps!
war1

I have completely removed all Yahoo stuff but the registry still has Yahoo garbage in it and I am not sure what to delete.  The add remove programs populated list has a large gap of blank space between AutoDesk and the next program.  Kind of weird I know.  Never seen this before.  Scanner shows no viruses.

If the Yahoo installs were the problem then removing them through A/R P should have taken care of it.  I wouldn't worry about the stubs left in the registry.  However, it sounds like you are still having issues.

I would suggest going through war1's list of suggestions next.

Microsoft Internet Explorer by Yahoo is just a branding.  It is not cause of the problem.  Yahoo toolbar may cause the problem, but that is covered by suggestions to remove all addons.

I have done most of everything that you suggested war1 and I am still having trouble.  I am rebooting now to try the IEFIX but I believe I tried that already as well.  The biggest issue I see is that it always wants to open a new window for IE.  I don't want it to open a new window.  It still just locks up the new window and will not display anything.  Basically, I cannot browse because it gets stuck in this new window mode.  I am going to try the IE Repair again and see what happens.  Thanks for all your suggestions.  I don't want to have to install a fresh copy of windows due to issues with a key for PLC programming but I can move key as well.  

You can set IE to not open new windows, but not sure that's your problem.  If you don't NEED IE, have you thought about installing FireFox or Opera?

Well, if it can be set to not open new windows, I would like to know where.  I remember this option but I cannot seem to find it anywhere.  Installing Firefox is just a bandaid.  I would prefer to fix the unruly IE.

To open links in same window, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced. Check Reuse window for opening shortcut.  Click OK. Restart the computer.

The Reuse window box was checked but this darn thing keeps opening a new window.   One thing I noticed when I did IEFIX, it created an IE icon on the desktop but it has no "Open" option on right click dialogue.  If you click on this new icon it just automatically creates a new shortcut for IE on the desktop.  I feel a reformat coming on.

If you get to the point where you feel a reformat is due, you might try performing an OS repair. If you boot from your XP CD and bypass the first offer to repair and go past the license acceptance you'll get to the screen where you would start a new install.  Sometimes, but not always unfortunately, there is a repair option there.  What this does is to basically delete all of the primary Windows files and then reinstalls them.. It will leave your data in place as well as your registry.  I have had a few programs that don't weather this well, but it has cured a lot of issues for me...although not all of them.

Unfortunately, I have already tried this route and it does not solve the problem.  And I have to quote the eldergeek below

  " It's my site so now I get to tell you how I'd deal with this situation. Really, neither of the methods above that Microsoft recommends are bad, but my approach would be to first run the System File Checker from Method I, but stop short of doing any of the upgrade, repair, or reinstall options. If that didn't solve the problem, I'd go to Method II and reinstall IE6 and OE6. If that still didn't solve the problem I'd head back to Method I and do a complete reinstall of XP. It's still my contention that piling fixes and repairs onto a damaged operating system is just postponing the inevitable reformat."

I have spent numerous hours chasing after a fix when the time may have been better spent doing a reformat and re-installing WinXP.  Once again...Bill Gates has us by the cahones.

The problem only occurs when your typeover the existing web address with a new address.  If you stay within the MSN homepage for searching and web hyperlinks the browser behaves but the minute you typeover the existing address, she opens a new window and gets confused.

Yeah a reformat may be the best thing...

Wow...something that I've never seen before...a problem solved by installing IE 7 :)

Glad to see your problem is fixed.