New York Times Website hangs computer for two minutes in either Firefox or IE11
WIN7PRO/16G RAM
This is my second time around with this problem. This time it started after the most recent group of windows updates were installed.
After a restart or fresh bootup, The New York Times website hangs IE11 or Firefox for at least two minutes before the data is downloaded and the screen begins to function. It actually hangs the entire computer for those 2-3 minutes. I can move the pointer, but it will not click on anything. I can't bring up task manager during that 2-3 minutes to kill either app. Then the website seems to unlock, paint the page and away we go. And it will work for the rest of the session. But if I restart, then open either of the two browsers and try to to to the NYT, same thing -- hangs for several minutes before it fully appears.
Last time I solved this problem on advice from a tech I know. Went into IE's internet options/connections/lan settings and unchecked "automatically detect settings." That fixed the NYT
on both browsers. This time, it makes no difference whether it's checked or not checked. Both browsers hand. I have Crome and the NYT seems to work on that, but I use FF as my main browser for the obvious reasons and I rely on that website.
Here's what I've done. Cleared cache and cookies on all browsers and reset IE11. Did this three times to make sure. Flushed the DNS cache; stopped the DNS and let a restart reset it. Have also run full sfc /scannow and chkdsk which actually made several repairs. Then ran both again to be sure.
Called the NYT tech support. They had no clue and reported no problems. This didn't surprise me because on a MacAir/Firefox NYT works fine, as it does on another WIN 7 machine on this house net.
So there must be some setting on this particular machine, some something, that is hanging that site. And again, that site is essential to my business.
This is my second time around with this problem. This time it started after the most recent group of windows updates were installed.
After a restart or fresh bootup, The New York Times website hangs IE11 or Firefox for at least two minutes before the data is downloaded and the screen begins to function. It actually hangs the entire computer for those 2-3 minutes. I can move the pointer, but it will not click on anything. I can't bring up task manager during that 2-3 minutes to kill either app. Then the website seems to unlock, paint the page and away we go. And it will work for the rest of the session. But if I restart, then open either of the two browsers and try to to to the NYT, same thing -- hangs for several minutes before it fully appears.
Last time I solved this problem on advice from a tech I know. Went into IE's internet options/connections/lan settings and unchecked "automatically detect settings." That fixed the NYT
on both browsers. This time, it makes no difference whether it's checked or not checked. Both browsers hand. I have Crome and the NYT seems to work on that, but I use FF as my main browser for the obvious reasons and I rely on that website.
Here's what I've done. Cleared cache and cookies on all browsers and reset IE11. Did this three times to make sure. Flushed the DNS cache; stopped the DNS and let a restart reset it. Have also run full sfc /scannow and chkdsk which actually made several repairs. Then ran both again to be sure.
Called the NYT tech support. They had no clue and reported no problems. This didn't surprise me because on a MacAir/Firefox NYT works fine, as it does on another WIN 7 machine on this house net.
So there must be some setting on this particular machine, some something, that is hanging that site. And again, that site is essential to my business.
ASKER
Followed your script to the letter, John. No go. SFC did find corrupt files and fixed them, but it made no difference. NYT hung in both browser, safe mode or no, after they were reinstalled. Slightly different behavior -- in IE the screen stays blank for two minutes then the front page begins to paint in; if FF you get part of the front page -- no images or video -- just text that hangs for two minutes or so until the rest of the page with images starts to pop into place. Tested scores of website bookmarks, all sites come up fine except the NYT. Since this did not start again until after last weeks updates, I suppose I could try a system restore, which is a pain and, I've found, can produce unexpected results, even invoked from safe mode. No, I sense there is something -- some setting or switch in my system -- tied to the NYT that is fouling up the loading of the site.
If you create a new user and log in as that user does the problem persist?
Also, have you tried deleting or disabling extensions and plugins.
Also, have you tried deleting or disabling extensions and plugins.
there is something -- some setting or switch in my system
You have reset IE and this resets all security settings to default (which work for me).
Be sure under IE, Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN settings that the Auto is ON, Script is OFF and Proxy is OFF.
Run TCP/IP Reset and DNS flush again.
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator
Then netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
Also, ipconfig /flushdns followed by net stop dnscache followed by net start dnscache
Then restart the computer
Deeper in, try DISM to make repairs to the system.
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth (takes 15 - 20 minutes).
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth (takes 15 - 20 minutes).
Restart the computer and test.
You have reset IE and this resets all security settings to default (which work for me).
Be sure under IE, Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN settings that the Auto is ON, Script is OFF and Proxy is OFF.
Run TCP/IP Reset and DNS flush again.
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator
Then netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
Also, ipconfig /flushdns followed by net stop dnscache followed by net start dnscache
Then restart the computer
Deeper in, try DISM to make repairs to the system.
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth (takes 15 - 20 minutes).
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth (takes 15 - 20 minutes).
Restart the computer and test.
ASKER
Okay, John. Ran the above but when I got to DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth I got the following:
Error: 87
The restorehealth option is not recognized in this context.
For more information, refer to the help.
The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.
Error: 87
The restorehealth option is not recognized in this context.
For more information, refer to the help.
The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Perhaps it's time. Thanks.
@normanml - Yes, all of us have to do this from time to time. Thanks.
Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, Windows Features and remove IE. This requires a restart. Do that.
After restart, open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run SFC /SCANNOW. Run it twice and close out.
Now go back to Control Panel and re-enable IE. This forces a restart again.
After restart, open IE in Safe Mode and load NYT. Does it work?