COMPUTER HELP-WHY HAS IE8 STOPPED WORKING?

[Stratpicker]

Rosemary - I have AvastAnti Virus, Malwarebytes, Zon Alarm and all run Ok and find nothing. The Homepage has been the same for three years and I've downloaded NO software at all for ages. The 'crash' is so quick that I cant get to "tools - " etc before it goes out.
Tom - I always make sure that "toolbars" are deleted. I use OpenOffice and so dont get the MS problems associated with Office 2007 etc.
cheers
ian

[stratmantd]

Hmmmm. A sticky one.

Is a message issued when it crashes which might say the reason for the crash, a module name for example? Does it work running with no add-ons?

I have done a quick search for IE8 crashes at startup and most suggest it's an add-on/toolbar problem. Start it from Start/Accessories/System Tools/Internet Explorer with no add-ons. If it still crashes I'm stumped.

[Gary Allen]

Hi Ian, I think IE deliberately crash their system to get people to buy other products, It usually starts this time of year,I switched to Firefox a long time ago....Gary

[John M]

Try starting windows in safe mode... this is with the minimum of drivers and add ons.
If the fault still persists it would point the finger away from the add ons you have on the tool bar.

[Rosemary]

Hi Ian
What O/S do you have? Windows 7 also lets me get into the following IE settings through Control Panel - Network and Internet without needing to open the browser (although perhaps they'll crash too if there's a major problem).

Change your homepage
Manage browser add ons
Delete browsing history and cookies

I'd also try disabling all your antivirus/firewall/ security software settings for a moment while you check to see if one of those programs is causing the IE crash - or maybe a combination of those is causing it. A recent auto update could be at fault.

Going back to a previous restore point could well fix things too depending on the problem and can sometimes save a lot of time troubleshooting.

All the best
Rosemary