New
#1
Multiple browsers pulling up blank pages: only safe mode resolves...
Perhaps at some point in the past month or so, a driver/software update or new program created an unexpected by-product: browser "interference". 1) When entering a URL, Chrome processes it, goes to the website, but shows a blank page, 2) Firefox is unable to show some pages (error report), and 3) Internet Explorer shows an error messages saying that it can't connect to the website.
I've ruled out a LOT of possibilities: clearing out the cache, turning off pre-fetching in Chrome, refreshing IP, virus check, malware check, rebooting computer/router/wifi, trying privacy mode in the various browsers (in the event add-ons are causing the problem), deleting and downloading the browsers, deleting Firefox altogether, defragmentation, troubleshooting web connection. None of this had an impact.
HOWEVER, when I ran Windows 7 in safemode, not only was the browser lightning fast, I had ZERO problems pulling up pages. The problem was gone. So, here's where I need your help. What does this tell me? Is it telling me that the problem has to do with a driver or background program that is disbled in safemode but causing problems otherwise? If so, is the next step to reduce the number of programs running in the background? If so, how do I go about determining which ones to disable? If I use system config, are those choices reversible in the event it causes a problem? Is Black Viper the solution or the roadmap to guaranteed problems? I loved the browser speed and responsiveness in safemode. How can I tweak to have more of that during normal use?
I would really appreciate your help. Thanks for reading. Peace,
- JC