Problem with IE8.0 after SP1 update

After installing the Win7-64 SP1, I was unable to hear audio and and tried to do a restore to before the update. That didn't work, and worse, IE is not displaying properly - nor will it show additional pages, Google Search, etc.. I also see the same problem with Norton - it will not display properly. I sure don't want to have to do a new, fresh install of Windows 7 to fix the problem - but I'm at a loss. Thoughts on how to get IE back? I can't search for it since my Explorer isn't working. Thoughts????

In a command prompt window type sfc /scannow. It tries to fix Windows files based on stored versions. If you're lucky it may restore IE8 (or at least make it visible under Programs and Features/Windows Features) and may restore Windows Explorer as well. If not, you may have to do a repair of Windows using your install disk or a repair disk: How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc for Emergency Use » My Digital Life. But I'm not sure if a repair disk made when the system is broken will work properly. By any chance have you got a true Windows disk that you could use for repair? I understand that if it sees you already have Windows installed, it will offer to repair it.

Hello Chuck and welcome to Seven Forums. To add to roncerr's suggestion, I'd first uninstall the SP1 before trying to fix IE or anything else.

How to uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Once SP1 is uninstalled, see if IE8 is repaired. If not, try resetting it to default settings. (Internet Options > Advanced tab > Reset button.) If that doesn't work I'd go ahead with the SFC but I'd do it from an elevated command prompt (option two in this tutorial):

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Please post back to let us know how things went.

To bring you up-to-date. I attempted another System Restore (before your posts) and the system locked up completely. At that point I was going to take the drastic action of a reformat and fresh install. However, even that wouldn't work (I could not get into the initial installation process). So, I took the computer to a local shop that I trust. They are somewhat baffled, thinking there may be either a hardware problem or some issue with a driver. They are working on it. I'll keep you informed, but the bottom line - so far - is that everything was fine until the SP1 install.

Thanks for posting back, Chuck. I agree, that is a very strange set of circumstances. It almost sounds like a hard drive failure. If that's what it turns out to be I don't know if SP1 was to blame or if it could have happened with any other program or software installation. Sorry you're having this problem. Please keep us informed.