Multiple browsers pulling up blank pages: only safe mode resolves...

LightRadiant · 01 Sep 2012

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

A Guy · 01 Sep 2012

Welcome to Seven Forums LightRadiant. Try running a clean start to see if you can pinpoint what is interfering.

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

A Guy

LightRadiant · 02 Sep 2012

Guy,

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give that a run and get back with results.

Peace,

- JC

LightRadiant · 03 Sep 2012

Guy:

Thank you for that excellent resource. The culprit that was causing Google to pull up web pages as blanks is none other than...Speedbit! Don't ask me how a Flash video accelerator did it...but it was doin' it. It took a fair amount of time to go all through those troubleshooting steps but it was worth it.

Onto my second query. As I had noted, Windows 7 and my browsers runs with tremendous speed and agility in safe mode. What services or programs can I turn off/prevent from running automatically to recreate a similar run environment? I made a copy of the list of processes running under Safe Mode. Is that a place to start?

Thanks again for your help and welcome. Like your icon :)

Peace,

- LR

A Guy · 03 Sep 2012

The same method can be used to see what slows down the browser. However, since it may be cumulative, rather then one thing causing a problem. Rather it may be a combination of several things, or perhaps all of them in combination. In safe mode you have no AV program for instance. If your AV does web shield monitoring, it can slow your browsing, but that would be a necessary evil, so to speak, although you can certainly try other AV programs to see which has the least impact on browsing speed. Since the difference may be minimal, it may be overkill since finding an AV that works well, and suits you may be more important.

In safe mode, only minimal services and resources are loaded, this includes your GPU. If the difference between safe mode, and msconfig with everything disabled is dramatic, it's unlikely there is much you can do, since you certainly need the windows resources running. It would be a very slow process to see if anything disabled speeds up browsing, and then you'd have to weigh the importance of the disabled item vs. the speed increase you gain.

However, the place to start would be your non windows startup items on the msconfig list. If it isn't vital to have a program start with windows, that is what you'd disable. Many disable everything but their AV. That wouldn't work for me and I have 13 items for instance. Sorry, there is no pat answer, your system, and what you use will all be different. Only experimentation will help.

Resources such as the program Soluto and Black Vipers Services List can be helpful, but always try one thing at a time, and keep track lest you find a problem and need to revert back.

Also have a look HERE for good ideas.

A Guy

marsmimar · 04 Sep 2012

In addition to the excellent advice from Bill (A Guy) I would add one other safety thought. Before doing anything, at a minimum, create a new system restore point. Better yet, a system image. Just in case the tweaking turns your computer into a large paper weight.

LightRadiant · 04 Sep 2012

Guy: Thank you. Very generous of you to offer your detailed feedback.

Marsmimar: A good point. I've got enough old cell phones that make for delightful paper weights

Appreciate all the kind help here.

My Best,

- LR

LightRadiant · 30 Sep 2012

Dear All,

I just wanted to get back to you, in case what I now know might be of use to you or others. After following the protocol A Guy recommended, I was able to identify what was causing Chrome to pull up blank pages. It was Speedbit video accelerator! User beware :)

Peace,

- LR

A Guy · 30 Sep 2012

Thanks for sharing, we'll have this marked solved

A Guy