Solved IE and skype stopped working chrome and FF ok after windows update

[Costa24]

I have had issues since last patch Tuesday:
When I try to start Skype nothing seems to happen (no window opens).
Also IE does not want to connect to anything.
If I go to the options IE10 all except file and safety are greyed out.

I have tried resetting through the internet options in the control panel, check no proxies are set.
I have run 2 different "iefix " programs, looked in the event viewer (not sure what to look for, nothing obvious visible...)

I have uninstalled Skype and subsequently re-installed it.

My Firefox and Chrome are fine. I have done a system restore a few times which solves the problem, but as soon as updates are installed the same happens again.

I run W7 64 pro.

totally at a loss now, have spent 2 days trying to find what the cause is.

Would really appreciate if someone has any ideas!

many thanks, Jaap

 

[ThrashZone]

Not sure which Security suite you have installed please fill in the blank,
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
If using ie10 the first link will apply to ie9 as well,
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/ie-crashes-stops-working#ie=ie-10-win-7

You can also activate Enhanced protection mode and see what happens,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ieinternals/archive/2012/03/23/understanding-ie10-enhanced-protected-mode-network-security-addons-cookies-metro-desktop.aspx

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/280434-internet-explorer-10-enable-32-bit-64-bit-ie10-windows-7-a.html#post2312336

 

[Costa24]

Thanks TrashZone!
there is some progress:
tried safe mode: both explorer and skype start and work
tried no-addins (normal mode) no luck

tried "enhanced protected mode" -this works!
However skype still does not start. (even if I go to the exe and start that way)

protection: Security essentials regular mrt runs and occasional (did last week ESET) online scan.

still really need to get skype going, seems both were caused at exactly same time and probably same cause.
Any further ideas! (although you did fantastic so far!!!)

 

[ThrashZone]

I'm not at all sure what "mrt" is please clarify ?
Use Clean boot and take a screen shot of the Startup section using msconfig,
The links above my signature picture will show you how,
Also go to Manage add-ons/ Show all add-ons and take a couple more screen shots,
You can also go to Uninstall a program and take screen shots,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
Review Jacee’s instructions to run Adwcleaner here,
Ignore the title of the thread,
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/309998-how-can-i-kill-avg-search.html

 

[Costa24]

MRT = MS windows malicious Software removal tool

will try your suggestions and report back. Thank you!

 

[Costa24]

Hi ThrashZone,

I tried a selective startup hiding the MS stuff and deselecting the rest.
Skype still does not start.
I made captures of the services section of msconfig and also one of the IE add Ins.
I have now activated lastpass (I had deactivated it) and it works fine.

Don't understand why the browser only works in the "Enhanced Protection Mode" and what the connection to Skype is.
I was able to get all working by rolling back the system to before the windows patches were installed, but have done so much since and rolled back several times that I am no longer able to.
I could restore my backup, but then I'd rather not. Even that would not prevent me from the same thing happening after windows update. (and would be right pain to ensure I still keep last few days of work..)

Please see the attached file. Apparently Skype and explorer are now more linked and updates pushed through windows update (I read this, have not seen it).

 

[ThrashZone]

Replace the add-ons page and make it Show All add-ons,

Your Startup is loaded,
Uncheck All but the Microsoft items I believe there were three.
EPM kills all third party utilities this is why it works using it.

 

[Costa24]

sorry fiddled with msconfig as I made the screenshot, had none correctly as suggested and just did again. n luck unfortunately
also attach the full addin list.
thanks, Jaap

 

[ThrashZone]

Actually I was referring to the Startup section/ Uncheck all except the three Microsoft startup's which is Microsoft Security Essentials I assume this is your main antivirus,
Services list will be allot shorter if you check the box to Hide Microsoft services

Looking forward to what Adwcleaner finds,
After which Disable any Unavailable add-ons,
Then disable All to start, which I'm not optimistic about that because No Add-ons mode did not work,

Do you actually use Logmein ?

 

[Costa24]

Hi!
I did hide the MS services and still a list spanning almost 3 pages.. I have deactivated anon MS startup stuff and all non-ms services. no change after reboot,. Yes MS sec esseentials is the only one I use now except occasional online and occasional MRT.
I do use logmein, but rarely to this pc, rather via browser to login to others.
no addin mode now does work.
apologies forgot to post the log, I attach it below.
I also add a capture of the addin list (opened through the noadd-in mode browser..very confusing)
Only ones I really want are lastpass and evernote and perhaps xmarks.
not sure what to do. have spent lots of time looking into skype with no joy...View attachment AdwCleaner[S0].txt

 

[Costa24]

sorry, I am daft, never did the services without ms capture.. apologies!

 

[ThrashZone]

Okay well Adwcleaner found quite a few items,
Lets see what is hidden inside Chrome, noting Chrome is Not on the Startup list anymore ?
Also note and any Extensions listed in Chrome and post them or screen shot.

After this please Reset Internet explorer note any discrepancies in this process/ at this point Uninstall your Toolbar,
After reset only One add-on should remain Enabled/ Adobe Shockwave,
Reset process first opening Internet explorer

 

[ThrashZone]

No worries and no need to apologize

I just realized your using ie11 from the text report,
ie11 is very DPI and Zoom rate sensitive,
Verify what your using for DPI and Zoom,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/443-dpi-display-size-settings-change.html

Also note,
EPM must be disabled for Skype to work.

 

[Costa24]

the chrome extensions are attached
I have eactivated continue running apps when chrome is closed. (I don't use google apps (to my knowledge) anyway)

did the reset of explorer and it want me to reboot, will do so now..

 

[Costa24]

rebooted, skype still make no attempt to start.
If I open task manager I see it appearing for a split second but no window is opened.
IE did not work until I activated enhanced security again...

 

[ThrashZone]

You might of missed my post #13 if so review it and confirm your DPI and Zoom settings,
If no joy roll back to ie10 see this,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/282216-internet-explorer-10-install-uninstall-windows-7-a.html
See a video here Uninstall three versions of ie in about three minutes,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/112121-internet-explorer-9-uninstall-2.html#post2319908

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2797-windows-update-settings-change.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24376-windows-update-hide-restore-hidden-updates.html

 

[Costa24]

I did miss that sorry. offline for 30 minutes to eat or else my wife will go nuclear...
thanks for the help so far!

 

[Costa24]

switched off epm, but now ie does not work (and skype still does not.)
fairly (but not entirely) sure that the problem came before the update to ie 11.
will try the roll back to 10 which i used for a while. although I used to use firefox in the past and more recently chrome. (Firefox seems to have got worse over time)

 

[ThrashZone]

If ie10 does not operate see these help,
Reset Host file to default-scroll down for Mr.Fixit for me
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/98056-sf-ie-restorator-troubleshooting-general-issues-ie.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html?ltr=S

The issue is usually the first item you want to Activate,
In your case toolbar for Passwords

 

[UsernameIssues]

I've been watching this thread - but I've not had much to contribute until now:
Skype loads for me just fine (in a virtual machine) while IE11 with EPM enabled.

I don't have a way to test the two Skype plug-ins, but they enabled just fine with and without EPM.

If the OP has problems with IE11 that are solved by enabling EPM, then it would seem to be an add-on that is automatically being disabled when EPM is turned on.

In one of the posts, Skype starts and quickly ends.
I wonder what Process Monitor would reveal - if anything.