Windows XP Address Bar Problem

[Anorak]

SP2. No Viruses, No Ads nor Spyware

Earlier noticed that opening I'net Explorer from Address Bar was getting slower. Now unable to open I'net explorer from Address Bar but can from Start button.

If I type http://www.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx and then click on GO, nothing happens. However, I can ping and go to local folders from the address bar.

If I simply type in something like "techforum" I get the message "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder Options Control Panel."

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thx

 

[Inaris]

have you tried just clearing you temp files and running IE normaly for a little while?
Also, try clearing out the temp folders in your profile. This can cause minor problems sometimes...

 

[Kevz]

delete all the files in the c:\windows\prefetch folder and may b then everything would work fine

 

[Inaris]

Prefech is only used with .exe files in XP I'd be curious if that works...

 

[Anorak]

Inaris and Kevz

Thanks for the suggestions which I have implemented but I still have the same problem. I don't know if this is a clue but I now find that I cannot open IE from OE. If I go to a link within an email the cursor changes to a pointing finger but when I click on the link nothing happens.
Any further suggestions?
Incidentally I still have a few cookies and gifs in the temp folder of my profile which I cannot delete.

 

[Anorak]

Just a further update.
I have reinstalled WinXP but the problem remains.
Any suggestions most welcome.
I hope a reformat is not required!!

Thanks

 

[Kevz]

Well If u have reinstalled the OS and still the same problems then i feel it would be good if u Format coz if there were files damaged then may be after reinstallin it would be fine and i feel Format is the best solution here

 

[Anorak]

Hi Guys

LATEST UPDATE

I am still reluctant to reformat since everything else appears to be working OK. However, here's something strange for you to get your brains around.

I have had Opera installed for a long time. Used it occasionally but never set it as my default browser.

NOW I find that when I click on GO (the address bar) it opens Opera. Likewise, if I click on a link in an email or in a word document Opera opens.
However, if I click on Internet Explorer from the Start menu or from the Programs Menu, Internet Explorer opens. In fact I can run both browsers at the same time.

Strange eh?

 

[Anorak]

FIXED

Hi again guys

Thought you might be interested to learn that I have now (after very many hours) cured the problem.

A lot of searching on the 'net led me to 2 pieces of software (IEFix and Default Browser). Using these two have fixed the problem.

On first boot after the fix I was concerned because I received an error message to the effect that IE had been removed from the PC and asking me if I wanted to update my personal settings. I did so and all went well.

Thanks for your help anyway. Much appreciated.