Solved Internet browsers (IE & Chrome) close immediately after opening ???

[RoyW7]

Internet browsers (IE & Chrome) close immediately after opening ???

Hi,

Since three days both internet browsers installed on my PC won't start (IE and Chrome). Or rather close immediately after I start them. (I am entering this thread from my office PC)
I didn't install any programs in between when they worked and stopped working (did copy files from a CD-ROM).

Some things I tried:
- logging in as my wife (we have got two users installed) - same problem
- clearing the user settings of Chrome (i.e. deleting the folder). After doing this the browser works for about 30 secs. and then the same problem occurs (either using it to browse or not using it gives the same result)
- scanned the PC for viruses (Windows anti-virus) and malware (Spybot) – nothing found
- start IE with extensions off
- I also installed HijackThis. Couldn’t find anything that looked fishy, but did not have an expert look at it
- Using either WLAN or LAN doesn’t make a difference (tried it just in case – never know ?)

Both programs are the latest version.

Any ideas?

Best regards,
Roy

 

[RoyW7]

Hi,

Tried some more:
- de-installed Google Chrome
- de-installed Java
- de-installed IE Google toobar add-in
Didn't work yet
- run a registry cleaner

After restart IE works again. Typing this message from there.

Seems problem is solved although I have no idea what caused it. Didn't like Chrome anyway though because it crashed on me several times a day. Installed it because IE was becoming very slow. But that's another story.

So for now: problem solved.

Regards,
Roy

 

[RoyW7]

Of course I was too optimistic. Very shortly after writing 'problem solved' the issue started occuring again with IE. Although it is not consistent. Sometimes I can start the browser. The pattern in do/doesn't start is not yet clear to me. For example just continuously clicking the icon works. Sigh ... :sarc:

If anybody has any diagnostic ideas, those would be more than welcome.

Roy

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums Roy. You can click on the unsolved button so others will not think the thread is solved. Have you tried a system restore point from before the problem started?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

A scan with Malwarebytes would also be a good idea.

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

A Guy

 

[RoyW7]

Hi,

Couldn't find the button for 'unsolved'. Now I did .

I already used the two mentioned programs to scan the computer, but will try Malwarebytes also. See what that gives. Will post the result tomorrow: now off for the weekend.

I did a restore of a date from when it still worked fine, but that didn't help.

Thanx!
Roy

 

[Gornot]

There was a similar problem reported here recently where both IE and Chrome couldn't start at all, and the outdated version of Java was causing the problem. My guess is that once you uninstalled Java IE started to work. What confuses me is that IE started having problems again soon enough, though you didn't specify if you installed Java again... Or which version? I think it's up to version 7 update 5 now...

 

[RoyW7]

Hi,

I did not yet re-install Java.

Malwarebytes did not find any contamination. I did find an unknown file. Which was also located in a Java folder still being on the PC. Coincidence? I didn't write down the name of the file.

Regards,
Roy

 

[Gornot]

It may be troublesome, but I assume that even though you uninstalled Java, Windows didn't remove everything, including registry entries and leftover files. This is pretty usual, but I would recommend reinstalling Java and then see if the browsers work. If not, download Revo Uninstaller Free, it is by far the most precise (free) uninstaller application. Use that to locate Java and uninstall it using the "Advanced" option within Revo. Once Java is uninstalled, delete ALL leftover registry items and leftover files, as this will remove any possible bad configuration or malfunction of Java. Then, it's just a matter of repeating the circle to see if the problem is solved (ie. trying to run the browsers without Java and seeing if they work, and possibly installing Java yet again to see if the clean install will do the trick). Troublesome, I know, but in any case, if the websites you visit need Java, you need to have the latest version anyway (for security reasons of course), and you should definitely set up its updates in Control Panel.

 

[RoyW7]

Hi,

Just re-installed Java. Now it works. Also before install. But ten minutes ago before a restart it did not.

Ok. Let's see how it goes. If the problem occurs again I will use Revo and install Java again. Thank you for this piece of advice.

Whatever happens I will reply again to this thread with the results.

Regards,
Roy

PS. When I removed Java before I also still had an older version installed.Could maybe be relevant?

 

[A Guy]

D/l and run JavaRa

JavaRa | SingularLabs

Run Remove older versions and Additional tasks. A Guy

 

[Gornot]

It's always recommended to uninstall an older version of Java before downloading a new one. Just updating it seems to be discouraged by Oracle.

 

[A Guy]

I guess I have been lucky. I have always just installed the latest version. I think removing Java is generally a harder task for most. A Guy

 

[Gornot]

True, especially since browsers use Java to run apps like chats and stuff. There are a few programs written in Java that would also make uninstalling it harder, but it seems that generally Java just sucks by itself, and needs to be wiped out before installing a new one lol

I myself never had any issues, too

 

[RoyW7]

Hi,

First of all: sorry for this late reply.

I deinstalled all versions again. Also used JavaRA. Did some cleaning. Now it works better, but still not 100% (starting up may require some multiple tries, but once started it works fine). I am satisfied right now and don't have the time to spend more digging. If I ever come across a real solution I will post it here. I will mark the thread as solved though.

Thanx for all the help .

Regards,
Roy

 

[Gornot]

You could always check if any websites you visit actually use Java itself; if not, you don't need it at all.

The most popular programs I can remember right off the bat that use or are written in Java are Vuze and Minecraft.