IE7 will not open Hotmail

Typically if Internet Explorer works well, but cannot get to one (or two) websites, one looks at (1) Internet Options -> Security and Privacy; and (2) DNS related issues (including, was an entry made to your hosts file).

But you tell us nothing, nada, zero about the software you install and expect an answer! Maybe your software is a major virus. Who knows?
... Thinkpads_User

The software is inside the dongle - I plug the dongle in, the software installs.  There are no virus' in the software!

Tried the Internet options route, but it is fine, the problem does not lie there.

Any other useful suggestions, please?

Try unistalling the software installed by the dongle. Shut down. Remove the dongle. Restart. Is the problem still there? If not, then the problem is the software. My remark about being a virus was purely facetious because you told us nothing about it, and still not much.

The object now is to totally get rid of this software (at least temporarily) and see if the problem goes away. If not, the software may have damaged some internal registry settings.
... Thinkpads_User

Thanks, I will try your suggestion and post the results later on.  The fact is that the installation of the dongle and the problem I am having maybe, though unlikely, coincidental.

I have tried googling the problem I am having.  I have found many posted questions from other people about this problem, but have not yet found a definitive answer.  I thought somebody here may have come across this problem and may be able to help.

Thanks again.

Hotmail is fairly widespread (I have such an account from before the time Microsoft owned it) and it has worked with every browser (IE and non-IE) that I have ever tried. I have not come across a case where Hotmail was inaccesible (assuming it was up) and other sites were accessible. That is why I make the suggestion I do. It is purely a process of elimination.
Good luck, ... Thinkpads_User

Also, try upgrading to IE8 or using Firefox.

Try following the procedure below :-

http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/06/12/628499.aspx

Thanks, ibrahim52.  I am a little concerned about using that reset feature as my browser is in a workable condition, except for accessing hotmail.

If I can find no other alternative then I will give it a shot.

Thanks again.

orangutang, I have tried to download IE8 but cannot for some reason.  It's a 16.1MB file, and I downloaded 11.8MB of it when it just stopped downloading.  Then a message appeared about running the file without veryfying the certificate, so I clicked run, then a warning message came up and the download shuts down.  Anybody have any links to a good download of IE8 please?

Are you sure there is nothing else wrong with your computer? I just went to download.microsoft.com, IE8 for XP was at the top of common downloads, and it downloaded completely and smoothly. Yes it is about 16.1 Mb. But like I said - troublefree.
... Thinkpads_User

Hi creedy - I went back to this. Hotmail is a Microsoft web application (and therefore coming from a Microsoft server) and Microsoft download is also a Microsoft web application (and also coming from a Microsoft server). And now you are saying both (1) Hotmail doesn't work and (2) Download doesn't work.

So there is a common denominator here, although I cannot put my finger on it just yet. Did you successfully uninstall the dongle software and is it out of the picture temporarily?

... Thinkpads_User

creedy alright,did you checked with firefox.If the hotmail is working.If its still not ,than there might be a problem from your ISP.How about windows updates,is it working ? Better you try with ultrasurf.Its a small proxy application.For more details visit the link below and download ultrasurf.Run it once you get the message "Successfully connected to the server"it will open IE and than try hotmail.Let me know if its working.Just make sure while exit ultrasurf you need to choose "Close IE and Exit".Thank you.

http://filepig.org/download/ultrasurf_9.4/

Thanks guys.  I am not at home right now so I will try those suggestions later.  I didn't bother removing my dongle software as the dongle is my only access to the internet at home.

When I am home later I will try all suggestions and post the results here.  Thanks again.

Hi creedy - Another thing to try (given difficulties with Microsoft sites) is to work the Genunine Windows Validation and re-validate your computer. Something may have upset that.
... Thinkpads_User

Hi guys, well I am back home now, and decided to download and install Firefox.  It seems to have done the trick as I can now view my emails on Hotmail.

Thanks very much to all of you who tried to help.  It is much appreciated.

Creedy.