How to Repair Internet Explorer 6 in Windows 2000

[edong]

Suddenly, my IE won't work. "The page cannot be displayed." I tried the following to no avail:
1. Emptied the temporary internet files
2. Checked the HOSTS file
3. Deleted the index.dat while logged on to another user account
4. Ran the LSP fix

Both my Firefox and Opera work fine. If I log on to another user (Administrator) account, IE works! So basically my question is:

Is there a file or files in a specific folder of that Administrator account that I can copy to my own user account folder or possibly edit a Registry entry? Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Stop using IE6. Upgrade already, use IE8.
IE6 is a decade old piece of unsafe crap that even MS doesn't suggest you use.

[jimdagys]

I never upgrade anything unless there is a good reason. I am using IE6 (see screenshot) and Firefox
2.0.0.20 and don't have any problems.

[Ai Haibara]

lordsmurf: edong is using Win2K... wasn't that one of the systems limited to IE6, at the latest?

[edong]

edong is using Win2K... wasn't that one of the systems limited to IE6, at the latest?

That's right.

I only use IE when some websites require it. I have Vista and XP computers upstairs but I like to use this Windows 2000 PC more which is located in the family room. Must have deleted something when I run the CCleaner.

[paulw]

Try downloading Opera 10.5.

Minimum configuration for Opera:
Windows 2000 on a Pentium II
128 MB of RAM
20 MB of free disk space

www.opera.com

[guns1inger]

I never upgrade anything unless there is a good reason.

I would have thought all the well documented security issues with IE6, and the fact that more and more sites do not support it (including sites that are more IE friendly) would have provided "good reason".

[Bjs]

Go into windows directory > INF folder > right click ie.inf > choose install and be prepared ... have the windows 2000 install cd handy just incase.

The case of the "user" accounts problem sounds like profile may have become corrupted ... backup the affected user accounts data ... delete the account, reboot ... manually delete the user account left overs before recreating this account by name or the system will generate the account and append a series of numbers to it

[JimmyS]

I ran into a similar situation several years ago on a friends PC. It turned out to be some type of infection. I don't remember what it was exactly, but it was either Ad-Aware or Spybot Search & Destroy that cleaned it out and ie worked again. Also have seen corrupted user accounts cause problems as Bjs described. A niece clean user profile usually helps everything run a little smoother. What ever fix gets you going again, give your PC a full scan and then only use ie for windows updates.

[Gramps]

This might be why:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/04/ie6.funeral/index.html?hpt=T2

[bevills1]

The only way I've ever tried to repair IE6 is via Add/Remove Programs and selecting the repair option. This has always fixed IE6 issues, but it unfortunately screws up Outlook Express. You could try reverting to IE5 via Add/Remove Programs and then install IE6 again to see if that fixes the problem. Personally I create an image of a good Windows with everything working properly using either Ghost or Seagate DiscWizard, and then simply restore the image when problems arise.

[MOVIEGEEK]

2000 is no longer being updated so please do yourself a favor and don't use it online, even if you put IE6 to high internet security it still isn't safe.

If your PC is old I recommend using XP, you can get XP Home OEM for $80USD.

[lowellriggsiam]

Techoncally if you wish to repair it, start->settings->control panel->add/remove programs->chose ie 6 and click uninstall, when you attempt to do so it'll ask if you want to repair it then chose that. Else Start ->settings->control panel->internet options->delete temporary internet files, delete cookies, under the programs tab click "reset settings", under the advanced tab click "restore defaults" then click apply and then ok.

[Ai Haibara]

One or both of these utilities may also help:

IEFix: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
Dial-a-Fix: http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix

[edong]

Thanks guys. I'll try them when I have a chance and let you know what happens.

[lordsmurf]

I never upgrade anything unless there is a good reason. .

There is good reason.

1. It's unsafe.
2. It doesn't render web pages properly.

Using IE6 is like using an inkwell on papyrus, on a desk lit by a candle.

[guns1inger]

You understand that pretty soon you won't be able to use google and youtube, and more will follow after that.

[lordsmurf]

You understand that pretty soon you won't be able to use google and youtube, and more will follow after that.

The War on IE6ism.

[bevills1]

Win2k is still being updated, but it's scheduled to stop July 2010. Users of Win2k and older Windows have no choice but to use IE6 because that's the latest IE version they support. The only way to upgrade to IE7 or later is to upgrade Windows as well.

Youtube and Google can be used with Firefox which the OP has. I use IE only for things that require it and use Mozilla Seamonkey for everything else.

[edong]

Ok. I tried all the suggestions. No success. Perhaps, I did some of them incorrectly. Anyway, no big deal. I can always log on to the Administrator account if I need to use the IE. Or use the other PCs in the house.

As for the unsafe nature of IE6, I believe you guys. Maybe I am just lucky not to have a single problem using IE with this PC since being bought in 2001. I only use freeware Firewall and anti-virus along with Spybot S&D. Thanks.

[lowellriggsiam]

Can you browse the internet using windows explorer? Your TCP/IP could be clogged, start->control panel->network and internet connections here choose your connections and right click properties, (this requires having the installation disc) here you'll need to uninstall the tcp/ip and then reboot, after the computer comes back up do the same thing but you'll need to add it back using add protocols. Other unusual things that can cause a similar problem security settings could be set to "high", Norton, Macaffee (especially true with XP), Zone Alarm, may not want to "disengage". I used to be tech support for Earthlink so I am acutally well versed in such issues. Other things can even include an internet accelerator. Under internet options "connections" you may need to explore for checked proxy boxes (this is more true with accelerators)

[darkknight145]

I never upgrade anything unless there is a good reason. I am using IE6 (see screenshot) and Firefox
2.0.0.20 and don't have any problems.

Well there is a good reason to upgrade to IE8, the security on IE6 has many known security risks, plus also has memory leaks

[GKar]

Suddenly, my IE won't work. "The page cannot be displayed." I tried the following to no avail:
1. Emptied the temporary internet files
2. Checked the HOSTS file
3. Deleted the index.dat while logged on to another user account
4. Ran the LSP fix

Both my Firefox and Opera work fine. If I log on to another user (Administrator) account, IE works! So basically my question is:

Is there a file or files in a specific folder of that Administrator account that I can copy to my own user account folder or possibly edit a Registry entry? Thanks.

I'm not sure this will work with your version of Windows 2000.

Download IE6 standalone (method):

http://www.liewcf.com/archives/2005/04/download-full-internet-explorer-6-sp1-standalone-installer/

Download IEradicator:

http://www.litepc.com/getieradicator.html

Use IEradicator to cleanly clear IE6 from your system then install the IE6 you downloaded. It should work fine.

[jollyjohn]

Reformat and reinstall W2000. End of problem.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Reformat and reinstall W2000. End of problem.

They might as well install XP as I suggested above.

[budz]

I would have thought all the well documented security issues with IE6, and the fact that more and more sites do not support it (including sites that are more IE friendly) would have provided "good reason".

I work for state government and our slow poke pc's still run IE6...go figure!

[edong]

Reformat and reinstall W2000. End of problem.

Right. I heard this solution a lot from tech support whenever I had a PC problem. Even better, buy me a Mac. End of IE problem.

[El Heggunte]

I can always log on to the Administrator account if I need to use the IE.

To surf on the Web while you're logged as an Admin is a big no-no.

[paulw]

I can always log on to the Administrator account if I need to use the IE.

To surf on the Web while you're logged as an Admin is a big no-no.

I have done this for the past 15 years with no problems..

[El Heggunte]

paulw wrote:

I have done this for the past 15 years with no problems..

Then you're quite lucky — it seems the rootkit makers like you very much.
Or, more probably, they simply don't look for the Windows 2000 users anymore.