IE8 Constantly Hanging in Windows 7 Ultimate N
Hello Group,A couple of weeks ago, I rebuilt my laptop (Dell Inspiron 1525, Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM) with Windows 7 Ultimate N (64-bit) using IE8 v8.0.7600.16385 and Office 2007 Pro. I use Norton Internet Security 2009, keep the updates current and scan regularly. Windows Update runs daily and I also use MBSA 2.1, so the system is always current with patches and hotfixes.Since the rebuild, I have experienced constant problems with IE hanging, going into a Not Responding state where the only way to recover is to use the close button or Task Manager to shut it down and then restart and restore the previous session. There is no apparent relationship to any particular website, as this occurs with webites visited every day (e.g., TechNet, Hotmail, etc.) as well as those visited less frequently. A system restart does not resolve the problem.Previously, I had this exact same build running on a 32-bit version of Windows Vista and experienced no problems of any sort .... ever! It was ultra-stable.This is a nagging problem as sometimes a browser session only lasts for a matter of minutes before hanging. The only thing I can think of is something with the number of windows and tabs open. I often have 3 or 4 browser sessions open with several tabs in each session.Because basic troubleshooting indicates this problem is not related to any particular website, and that I had no problems with 32-bit Vista, I'm inclined to believe this problem has something to do with the 64-bit version of Windows 7.EDIT: No BSOD ever. Just IE hanging.Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.Regards,Steve HeggMCSA:Security W2k3
January 20th, 2010 3:19am

First, have you had the same issue while running the 32-bit IE in your Win7? In the 64-bit Operation System, the 32-bit Internet Explorer (IE) has been included. The 32-bit IE is stored in this floder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe. To run it, click start---all programs -- Internet Explorer (32-bit). If the 32bit IE works fine, you can set the 32-bit IE as default. You can refer to the following steps. 1. Click "Start" and click "Default Programs”.2. Choose “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”.3. Scroll down to click .mht type.4. Click Change program and choose Internet Explorer (32-bit) to open .mht files.Note: If you do not see the choice Internet Explorer (32-bit), please click Browse…, Locate the file C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe, then click Open to choose the program.5. Check “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”.6. Click OK.Good luck! John
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January 20th, 2010 11:51am

Thanks for the suggestion, John.I tried what you suggested and at first the 32-bit version of IE seemed to be running better and possibly even noticeably faster by visual observance.Unfortunately, the same symptoms began to surface. It is interesting to note that while the symptoms continued, they did not appear to be as severe. It is possible that when IE restarted, it went back to the default 64-bit version.I will try setting the default version to the 32-bit version and see what happens. If this doesn't have any positive effect, then I will try re-installing IE8 and relevant updates.
January 21st, 2010 2:48am

Flash based sites do not work properly with the 64-bit version of IE. So use the 32-bit edition of IE8. If you continue to experience problems, try checking the system files from an elevated command prompt sfc /scannow Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
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January 21st, 2010 3:10am

Vegan Fanatic wrote:"Flash based sites do not work properly with the 64-bit version of IE. So use the 32-bit edition of IE8."Interesting comment especially given that so many sites are Flash-based these days.Is this an opinion or are you able to provide a TechNet reference which documents this as a known issue and/or one that Microsoft is actively working to resolve? I've been unable to find anything, hence the post.As an aside note, in my test lab I have 64-bit versions of other OS's running with IE8 and have not experienced this problem on them. Possibly I am mistaken but it seems to be something specific to Windows 7.Thanks for the suggestion on the sfc /scannow command. I'll check it out and respond subsequently.
January 21st, 2010 4:08am

I have also conducted some research and some sites seem to not render properly. I use Firefox as my default browser, I test my sites with IE8 etc to make sure its OK. I do not use flash at present but that is primarily because sites are so slow. I designed my sites for the impatient. I am doing hardware reviews at present and the latest is the new 680W power supply I bought. Seems to be OK, as its more efficient so I expect to see my electric bill to slightly improve. I think the flash problem is mostly due to disparate versions in use. If I use IE8 32-bit edition it seems to be far fewer problems. When the next version of Windows surfaces my sources tell me its going to be 64-bit exclusively. So by that time I expect the last of the kinks to be history as web sites all get modernized/corrected.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
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January 21st, 2010 4:55am

Hi Steve, First, let us know on which website the IE crushed again. Have you tested the IE in a new account? The possible cause can be the confliction of other programs or incorrect IE settings. I recommend you perform the following suggestions.Suggestion 1: Launch Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). To do so, please click the Start Button, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). Suggestion 2: Reset Internet Explorer 8 =============================Note: the following steps will remove all of installed add-ons and reset IE to default settings. You need to reinstall the add-ons after resetting.1. Click "Start", type "inetcpl.cpl" (without quotation marks) into “Search” bar and press "Enter" to open the “Internet Options” window.2. Switch to the "Advanced" tab.3. Click "Reset…" to reset Internet Explorer settings.4. Check "Delete personal settings" box and click "Reset" to confirm the operation.5. Click "Close" when the resetting process is complete.6. Click “Restore advanced settings” button and click “OK”.7. Close the Internet Explorer window and restart IE to check the issue. Suggestion 3: Test the issue in Clean Boot. You can refer to the KB929135. I hope this would help you. John
January 21st, 2010 5:28am

Thanks John,I am trying Vegan Fanatic's suggestions right now. When finished, I will try the one you suggested above.EDIT: This problem does not seem to be associated with any particular website, i.e., it doesn't happen on one or two specific sites and none others. The problem has surfaced on any number of sites.
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January 21st, 2010 5:39am

Could you please post the URLs of the sites you had problems with? Thanks.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
January 21st, 2010 6:10am

Ok, a few updates on the suggestions from Vegan Fanatic:I ran the sfc /scannow command, which returned a normal response: "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."I also followed the instructions to set the default program for .mht files to the 32-bit version of IE in the x86 folder. Unfortunately, this has not seemed to resolve the problem.After doing this change, I had three browser sessions open:1) two tabs open, one to this thread and one to hotmail2) one with multiple tabs open to a site that I frequent as a resource for fiber optics and photonics, rp-photonics.com3) one with multiple tabs open to the dice.com job search siteMy browser is set to TechNet.com for the home page. When I opened a 4th browser session, upon opening the home page, that browser session went into a Not Responding state, which killed the other three sessions when I ended by clicking the close window button in the upper right. Fortunately, when I restart a new session, I am prompted to restart all previous sessions, which certainly saves work. But it doesn't alleviate the unwanted disruption.As mentioned before, I have seen no indications that this problem is specific to any one website or group of websites. From what I can tell, it appears to be more or less "random" and possibly related to the number of browser sessions and tabs open.I'm out of troubleshooting time for tonite because I have to get back to work on another project. After work tomorrow, I will switch everything back to the previous settings, and then try John's suggestions above. In the meantime, if anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.Thanks John and Vegan for the assistance so far.EDIT:One other possibility, albeit probably remote. In my test lab, I often have my laptop connected to an external Acer monitor via a KVM switch and have the display settings set to extend the display. I've noticed when I move on and off the KVM and external monitor, the OS will sometimes not retain the display settings. I often have browser sessions running on both the laptop and second monitor. Possbly this may be a cause to the problem, but I wouldn't think so.
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January 21st, 2010 6:35am

Well then one last idea, try using Firefox and see if it works better with your work. Might be worth a try. Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, x600, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
January 21st, 2010 6:38am

I don't think your issue is caused by the monitor, while it's better to disconnect your second monitor before you have fix the IE issue. As I think your issue is more related the incorrent IE settings or third party conflicts. It's better to try my last suggestions first, then we can narrow down the cause of your issue. John
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January 22nd, 2010 5:31am

I also have this problem with IE8, Windows 7 Pro.This morning, I uninstalled the Adobe Shockwave Flash player plugin (version 10.0.42.34) from add/remove programs, downloaded it again and re-installed it fresh. So far, the problem has not come back in IE but I DID get another crash of the MMC console while I was reviewing Event Viewer errors for this issue tonight. Here are the event log descriptions I had tonight, this morning and before today. They involve, flash but also an mht file:**January 21, 2010: Faulting application name: mmc.exe, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc808Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bdfe0Exception code: 0xc000041dFault offset: 0x000000000000aa7dFaulting process id: 0x1050Faulting application start time: 0x01ca9b110d9d9ddfFaulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\mmc.exeFaulting module path: C:\Windows\system32\KERNELBASE.dllReport Id: 825e991d-0707-11df-84f5-001d60dd5076------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69eFaulting module name: Flash10d.ocx, version: 10.0.42.34, time stamp: 0x4ae7baedException code: 0xc0000005Fault offset: 0x0012c8a4Faulting process id: 0xf40Faulting application start time: 0x01ca9a987d7f4c92Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exeFaulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWow64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10d.ocxReport Id: 0f203ffc-068c-11df-84e5-001d60dd5076------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**January 20, 2010:Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69eFaulting module name: mshtml.dll, version: 8.0.7600.16466, time stamp: 0x4b04f118Exception code: 0xc0000005Fault offset: 0x001bc662Faulting process id: 0x1114Faulting application start time: 0x01ca99eb16e0e0e2Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exeFaulting module path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshtml.dllReport Id: 87e227c0-05de-11df-9ec7-001d60dd5076--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**December 17, 2009 (the day my Win7 was installed):Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 8.0.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bc69eFaulting module name: gp.ocx_unloaded, version: 0.0.0.0, time stamp: 0x4b19171eException code: 0xc0000005Fault offset: 0x6d9c0bbeFaulting process id: 0xc34Faulting application start time: 0x01ca7f93a03f9e37Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exeFaulting module path: gp.ocxReport Id: 2dada053-eb89-11de-b573-001d60dd5076I DO remember some of the URLs where these freeezes occurred and here they are:* This forum (technet Windows 7 miscellaneous forum)* www.videotron.com customer care site where I had logged in with my userid and was changing my TV channel preferences (videotron is my TV, internet and telephone cable service provider).Maybe this will help narrow down the root causes... If you need more info, please let me know.John
January 22nd, 2010 7:06am

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this one .... was out of commission last night.I performed the reset as John suggested (although I did not select the check box to delete cookies, etc.). I have not done the clean boot yet. However, so far the browser has not gone back to a Not Responding state, and appears to be running visibly faster. Should this happen, I will try the Clean Boot.It is also worth noting that Microsoft pushed out an IE patch today and I installed it this evening as well. Whether or not this had any impact on the problem is anyone's guess.It is also worth noting that I checked my Add-Ons as John suggested. I have done this in the past and only have those Add-Ons selected that I want. This time I did disable the Quicktime Add-On because I rarely use it, and it has caused other kinds of problems for me in the past. This may have had some impact.The other non-Microsoft Add-Ons that are active are:- Adobe Flash- Adobe PDF Helper- Garmin for my GPS- Two Add-Ons for AutoDesk DesignReview, which is a free AutoDesk plug-in that allows editing of AutoCAD drawings (*.dwg) which have been saved in Design Web Format (*.dwf). This is a really slick and useful plug-in for collaboration of CAD drawings through web shares. I have been using it for years with both XP and Vista and have not had any problems. Possibly there is some issue running it in a 64-bit OS, so this is something I can check if the problem resurfaces.At any rate, for the time being, I'm going to consider this to be case closed. Thanks again to John and Vegan for assistance.
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January 23rd, 2010 4:59am

I have found Norton products to be garbage so I posted a link to the free Microsoft Security Essentials on my home page. I also suggest using Firefox as a backup if IE8 continues to be a problem. Links for both are on my front page.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe See my site for detailed machine information
January 23rd, 2010 5:26am

Don't want to start a religious war, but I've been using NAV and its successors for >10yr without issue. Edit: When Security Essentials is more mature I intend on switching to it. Same goes for the IE browser. IE was designed to run in the MS environment, with associated self-help tools like Windows Update and MBSA. I'd much prefer that to having to learn how to support a third party browser on my own.In any case, thanks for your earlier suggestions.
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January 23rd, 2010 6:03am

I use Firefox, I do not like the IE way of showing tabs as I tend to have a lot of them open sometimes. The MSE is free, that is why I put it on my front page. You would be surprised at how many have nothing at all. I like free stuff, save on $ for gear this year. Last year was software, this year hardware. Fried my 8600GT so I am now reviewing options. Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe See my site for detailed machine information
January 23rd, 2010 6:09am

John,After a weekend to check, I think Suggestion #2 has provided the best result, so I am marking it as the answer.I completed the IE reset and so far, with the 64-bit version of IE8, I have had only one situation where the browser hung, and it was for a site that I had never visited previously. Subsequent to the reset, I resumed my practice of having several browser windows open and several tabs open in each window.I still don't have a defined answer as to why the original problem surfaced, but the reset appears to have degraded or eliminated the symptoms. I didn't try Suggestion #3 because #2 seemed to do the trick.Cheers,Steve
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January 25th, 2010 4:16pm

The Adobe PDF Helper caused Acer Veriton 460 with Windows 7 Proffessional to stop responding when closing IE8. The icons on the desktop became inactive. The toolbar still worked. Might try dissabling the Adobe PDF Helper in IE.
May 27th, 2010 5:44pm

Hmmm ... suprised to see this one get bumped after several months of inactivity. For what it's worth, none of the symptoms that I was experiencing in January have resurfaced since that time. I am still using W7U on the same platform, and it is working very well. No issues, no complaints.
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May 27th, 2010 9:44pm

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