IE 10 Clicking in Search box only briefly shows drop down menus

[wither 2]

Starting yesterday, whenever I click on a search box while browsing, the drop down menus (which are correct) flash briefly so that I can't select anything and I also can't enter anything into the search box. It also does this for entering a user name to enter a website requiring it, although it will usually let me manually enter a user name. Sometimes, one will work but the other won't. Very erratic.

I ran a system restore to before the problem and that didn't help. I uninstalled IE 10 which rolled it back to IE 9 and I briefly didn't have the problem. I reinstalled IE 10 and it worked briefly.

I have run a full system anti-virus scan with no issues found. I also ran a full malware scan with malwarebytes. It found 8 p.u.p files and I deleted them. It didn't change anything. I ran a clean boot with no improvement. SFC /Scannow found no integrity violations. I also uninstalled the two toolbars I usually use and reinstalled them one at a time with no changes.

On my two other systems which have either Vista or Win 7, I'm running IE 8 and they don't have this problem. They also have the same toolbars.

I have no other problems with this system. It is fully up to date. Java is also up to date.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ThrashZone]

Switch to Software rendering,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149063-internet-explorer-gpu-hardware-acceleration-turn-off.html
Not sure which version your using or your Security suite you have installed please fill in the blanks,
Also see what this does,
Use No Add-ons mode/ Click the Start button and type in the search box,
Internet explorer

Click on the suggestion (No Add-ons) or it’s located at,
Start/ All programs/ Accessories folder/ System tools folder/ No add-ons.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/manage-add-ons#ie=ie-10-win-7
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/How-to-manage-add-ons-in-Internet-Explorer-9

 

[A Guy]

See if the problem exists in Safe Mode with Networking

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html

If it works OK in Safe Mode, try a clean start to see if there is a conflict

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

A Guy

 

[wither 2]

Thanks for the replies-

ThrashZone- GPU acceleration isn't supported. Disabling all add-ons doesn't change anything. Using MSE for AV.

A Guy- As I mentioned in my original post, I had already tried a clean boot. If I can figure out which function key gets me into the advanced boot options, I'll give it a try. On this system, I've tried F5 and F8. It's hard to know when to select it because HP doesn't let you see the POST.

 

[A Guy]

It will be F8. Just start clicking F8 when the PC starts to boot, stop when you see the options come up. Sorry I missed the sentence about clean start. A Guy

 

[wither 2]

Actually, it's F5 and then F8.

I went to safe mode with networking and the problem does not occur. Very strange since I did a clean boot.

I even uninstalled Java while in Windows and it didn't make any difference.

 

[A Guy]

Sometimes a security program will not allow itself to be terminated. Check the task manager when in the clean start and see if there is a security program running. This is not guaranteed, but often the cause. Windows loads a limited set of services in safe mode, and does not load the video card driver...another possibility. A Guy

 

[wither 2]

While I was waiting for you, I went to the HP website and was able to flounder around until I found where I could download the drivers of my choosing. I selected the graphics driver and walked away while it was downloading. When I came back there was no activity and it doesn't appear that the driver loaded. I'll be darned if I can get to that screen again. The only thing it will let me do is run the automatic scan and that tells me nothing. Ditto for the HP support assistant.

I did install a BIOS update while I was at that page.

As I mentioned, I'm using MSE on that system. The thing that gets me is that this problem jumped up out of the blue. Everything was working fine and then "bingo". It seemed to happen around a Java update which I didn't run. I ran it later without any improvement. I uninstalled the Java Update 25 and Java Update 45 from Programs and Features. I don't know if that disables Java completely. The problem still exists.

Are you wanting me to run a clean boot again and then check the Task Manager for MSE running?

 

[ThrashZone]

I would Uninstall Java and even when you do you'll still have java toolbox Enabled,
Go to Manage add-ons from the Control panel/ Internet options/ Programs section/ Manage add-ons,
On the middle left column click on "Show" All add-ons,
You'll most likely see Java toolbox or what ever it's called,
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/uninstall_java.xml
Interesting read it's time to dump Java,
http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2013/01/java-zero-day-again-time-to.html

 

[wither 2]

Thanks. I'm going to let this one rest until tomorrow.

I just tried FireFox and it doesn't have these problems. Uninstall IE 10 right now.

 

[wither 2]

I've found that there are two entries for Internet Explorer in Start. One is for Internet Explorer 64 bit, the other is just internet explorer. The problem doesn't occur in the 64 bit selection. It does occur in the other. The problem with the 64 bit selection, is my ISP toolbar won't install.

 

[ThrashZone]

I believe you just found your problem,
Internet service providers have some of the worst browser add-ons know to man/ woman lol
The 64 bit version is the equivalent of use Enhanced protection mode in ie10 and I suppose ie11 rtm,
Nothing is compatible with them when epm is activated/ or 64 mode is activated in ie9.
It's purely for troubleshooting bad add-ons from numerous third party toolbars...
Cheers.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/How-to-manage-add-ons-in-Internet-Explorer-9

 

[wither 2]

I found a partial solution to the original problem. Today I restored the system back to IE 10. I hooked up a mouse to the laptop and found that I could click in a search box and, while continuing to holdown the button, I could drag the cursor into the drop down menu to make a selection. Following up with that on the touchpad, I found that using the right click button on the touchpad enabled the drop down menu and I could make a selection with the touchpad cursor. That is my wifes computer and I'm not usually allowed to touch it so I think she accidentally hit a key or button combination which changed what clicking on the touchpad does. Unfortunately, the software in Control Panel doesn't provide for changing this. I need to look into it further.

 

[wither 2]

My wife only goes to three websites on that system. I had tried my work around on two of them. I told her I was going to show her how it works. She wanted to go to the website I hadn't tried. Sure enough, it didn't work. I found that the only way I could get the drop down menu to come up was to right click in an area near the search/selection box and select Encoding and then click on Unicode. I have Auto Select on as well and the Unicode button is highlighted but I have to click on it. Every website is different. Java is also uninstalled.

Anyone have any more ideas.

 

[A Guy]

Try this.

Open IE> Press F12> When the Developer tools open, on the top menu Browser mode:> Set to Internet explorer 9

Try again, if no help open developer tool again> Top menu Document mode:> Set to Internet explorer 9 standards

See if either helps.

A Guy

 

[wither 2]

The only way it works is to set it to IE 8 standards. I can leave the browser mode as ie 10. The problem is, I don't how to save the settings. As soon as I leave the page where I was testing, the settings default back. The other issue is why is it doing this?

I'm resetting the system to factory condition right now.

 

[ThrashZone]

If you open links in the same window and not in a new tab the document mode should stick.

 

[wither 2]

Thanks to both of you for your help.

It's one of those things that just popped up out of the blue with no indication of the cause. Makes troubleshooting tough.

I ended up reformatting and setting the system back to factory condition.

After 120 updates (so far), installation of Java, toolbars, etc., it's working as it should in IE 9. I have one more tool bar to install. If that doesn't cause any problems, I'd say the problem is solved.

 

[A Guy]

Do you NEED Java? If you don't have a particular use for it, try without it. I have had no need for it. It is the #1 attack vector for malicious items these days. A Guy

 

[wither 2]

I have three systems and they all have Java. I don't really know if I need it or not. When I uninstalled it earlier, it didn't seem to make any difference when on the internet.