Tech Suppppooooorrrrt!
 

So, normally, when I hit the internet explorer icon on my desktop, my internet opens with google with the search bar right under whatever daily google picture they have.

Today, its blank. "google" is at the very top (task bar?) very small, but I cant search anything. In fact, I tried going over to yahoo search, and I can search there, but whatever I pull up doesn't open the page, or at least I can't see it, but I can see the site in a little box to the right of the address box. What the hell did I push?
thanks guys

Solution: Stop using Internet Explorer and download a real browser.

Problem solved.

Seconded. Internet Exploder is for idiots.

Download and Install FireFox

Profit.

Google Chrome, FTMFW.

Aaaaaaaaaaaanything but IE

oh, and your IE prefs are lost foreeeeeeeeeeeeevar

A screenshot might help.


And firefox. Has anyone mentioned firefox?

I use Chrome, mostly because my machine just doesn't seem to like Firefox very much. It tends to freeze for seemingly no reason. I could probably fix it if I was really motivated, but I'd rather just be lazy and use Chrome.

That being said, I have had 2 different computer guys that I trust (like directors of IT at 100+ employee companies) tell me that if your network security is adequate, IE is actually the best performing browser in nearly every measurable metric. And I have seen studies recently that say the most recent version of IE is more secure than Firefox "out of the box."

IE goes down more than an old broad.

I should probably give up on FF and go to Chrome... FF is becoming more and more bloated, the "OMG you're using an outdated version of Flash so we're going to keep disabling it on every website you visit until you update" feature is really annoying, and the new Google maps doesn't play well with FF at all.

I've heard the same things about IE as far as the metrics, but my experience has been quite different.

Love the Firefox, The most customizable experience ever, and I love the adblock capability. I also can't remember the last time it crashed, I don't think it ever has.

I haven't really used it with any kind of consistency since about IE6, but I tend to agree. I'll occasionally pop it open because of a site that doesn't seem to want to work on Chrome or FF and can't say I've ever been impressed.

I actually heard an IT guy in my building say over the phone "Chrome is trash. Uninstall that crap and use IE". Confused the hell out of me.

I made the switch to Chrome just recently because of the problems Firefox was having with any Flash-based site. I loved the Firefox for years and years, but I couldn't deal with the daily multiple crashes. It was a sad day when I made the switch, but I haven't looked back. It took a while to adjust to the different search functionality (via the address bar), but I really like having the ability to install Chrome on any computer, log in, and then have Chrome automatically import my bookmarks and settings. It also seems faster than Firefox.

I would recommend adding Ad-Block as well...It's really nice not having to deal with the plethora of annoying ads.

Tooge, post a screenshot or something. Can't tell what the hell you're talking about..

Download Mozilla firefox

The last few versions of IE, 8 and 9, have actually been pretty good browsers. 10 is actually out, but we've had issues with that because it's so new and I haven't had much chance to test it. But IE8 and especially 9 have been huge gigantic improvements over past versions of IE. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend them over Firefox or Chrome for everyone. But for an old folks computer, it's not too bad anymore.

I use Chrome, and personally think it's the best of the bunch due to its cross platform/device integration, and the toolkits that are included. But I don't think many non uber geek types would appreciate what makes Chrome a much better browser.

If you are on IE-10, it has been causing all kinds of issues. You might go to the menu bar on top, click "help", "about Internet Explorer", and see if 10 is the one you are on at the moment. It has been pushed through automatic updates so it very well needs to be downgraded back to IE9. When you open "about internet explorer" uncheck the box for allowing updates, close it out, go to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > look in the upper left hand corner to see installed updates, find "Windows Internet Explorer 10" and uninstall it. After restart, open your IE browser again and see if that works. Like everyone who has posted before me, Chrome and Firefox are the better way to go.

Cool, create a thread asking help but don't answer any questions that might be useful to us in helping you.

thanks...

i updated the flash player on my wife's pc and it solved her facebook problem of not displaying the pictures...

i've been ****ing with the damned thing for days trying to fix the problem with no luck...

cp is THE place for expert help with most any subject, but particularly with it stuff...

thanks again...

hey! what have you got against old folks? :#

Ok, so I'll try chrome. But I can't see anyting. It says "download google chrome" up top, but that's it.

Opera >

IE 10 isn't as bad as past ones, but still behind chrome and firefox. Chrome splits up into many different processes, which could cause problems on low-end computers, but is the most smooth out of the 3 typically. Firefox is my favorite because of the how much you can customize it.

Oh and yeah, a screenshot would be helpful because I can't decipher what you said lol

As far as I can tell, you're just talking about the search bar right next to the address bar and the dropdowns that let you choose between google, yahoo, and maybe bing? Nothing happens when you type something in that box and hit enter?

(love how everybody went into a recommendation for chrome or firefox. Was about to do the same until I realized if he can't get his IE to work, he can't download the better browsers we're all so keen to recommend)

Maybe he can't read our responses..... :D

Not really sure but it halfway sounds like you jacked up the zoom? Without a screencap, its kinda tough to exactly peg whats going on.

And use whatever browser you want, unless you have some very specific applications, 99% of the innerweb will work for you in IE, or chrome, or FF...hell, even in Opera if its still around.

FYI.... Chrome has Flash built in. Along with other nifty stuff like a pdf viewer, which you'd usually have to download separately. Use Chrome, and you won't have to worry about downloading extra stuff like Flash or Adobe Reader every other week.

Sorry, couldn't get to CP. on my phone now. Going the Chrome route

Try right-clicking where the address bar is and look for tools/options. Should be a spot where you can check it and it re-appears.

This

LMAO

Just Bing It

Actually, IE 10 isn't all that bad.

Without knowing exactly what you are looking at, first thing I would check is zoom. Go to google, select the tools gear looking thing, select zoom and make sure it is at 100%, if not select 100%.

I gave up Firefox and moved on to Chrome a year or two ago, never felt the need to move back.

I always heard there were still people using IE who weren't boxed into it by application requirements, but I've never seen one in the wild before!

I still love FF. Google is the deebil.

Tooge just go to firefox. It will automatically import your favorites into firefox from IE. When you sign on next time, it will load the same windows you had open when you closed the browser. Just refresh the page. It has a spell checker in it. Just do it.

I've heard other techs say that. Did they do the standard Microsoft way and steal all the good ideas from firefox and chrome and put it in 10?

http://i.imgur.com/iG8DKiM.jpg

Firefox for me, but so many of my searches are Microsoft related, so Bing is my preferred search engine. That, and Bing Rewards are pretty damned cool. Amazon gift cards, XBOX Live passes... check it out: LINK (<-Vaguely Disguised Referral Link, but I only get credit if people actually sign up)

Vaguely disguised referral link. Put a disclaimer on that, asshole.

As tech support, I feel I have to chime in here.

1) It sounds like you may be super-zoomed out. Try pressing CTRL + (both keys at the same time) a few times on your keyboard.
2) Switch browsers. 80% of all people I support are still on IE, and 95% that switch to Firefox don't have any issues. The site I support is not supported in Chrome, but I prefer that browser. Firefox just seems easier to customize though, and the settings are much easier to alter for lay people.
3) If you love IE (I understand, I talk to people all day that just don't want to change), try resetting IE if you can get to the Tools menu > Internet Options > Advanced Tab > Reset. This tends to fix most IE issues, but you will lose your Favorites and history.

Dammit how did my Mom get on CP?