Display Problems with I.E. 6

[MarkTwain]

I access the Internet via an RCN Cable Modem, at 1.5 Mbps download/384 Kbps upload.
Whenever I try to browse with I.E. 6., the browser displays a “Page cannot be displayed...Cannot find server or DNS error” message. Other times, the browser page will
display partially, but with numerous red-Xs inside rectangles where images should display.

This behavior has been going on for the past two days.

This doesn't happen with my Firefox (v.1.05.08) browser. But I need the full display capability of IE 6 in order to download vital Microsoft Security updates.

What's the solution to getting IE 6 to fully display? Is this an RCN provider glitch?

I am running under W2K SP4, with ZoneAlarm and GhostSurf.

Thanks in advance for any solutions!

[toomyg]

Did you try shutting off ZA and see if it still does it?

[MarkTwain]

Even when I shut down ZoneAlarm, I still get many red-Xs-in-rectangles displays....

[MarkTwain]

From what I'm hearing, these symptoms are plaguing a lot of IE users around the Internet....

[glc]

Open a command prompt and type:

ipconfig/flushdns

[toomyg]

Originally Posted by glc Open a command prompt and type: ipconfig/flushdns

I have seen that command before glc what does it do?

[MarkTwain]

Flush and reset a client resolver cache using the ipconfig command
Updated: January 21, 2005

 
To flush and reset a client resolver cache using the ipconfig command

1.


Open Command Prompt.

2.


Type:

ipconfig /flushdns
Value Description

ipconfig


The name of the command-line program.

/flushdns


The command to flush and reset a client resolver cache.

Notes
•

Performing this task does not require you to have administrative credentials. Therefore, as a security best practice, consider performing this task as a user without administrative credentials.
•

To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command prompt.
•

To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:

ipconfig /help
•

The ipconfig /flushdns command provides you with a means to flush and reset the contents of the DNS client resolver cache. During DNS troubleshooting, if necessary, you can use this procedure to discard negative cache entries from the cache, as well as, any other dynamically added entries.
•

Resetting the cache does not eliminate entries that are preloaded from the local Hosts file. To eliminate those entries from the cache, remove them from this file. For more information, see Related Topics.
•

Although the ipconfig command is provided for earlier versions of Windows, the /flushdns option is only available for use on computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 operating systems.
Information about functional differences
•

Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.

[MarkTwain]

I tried that at the command prompt. It did flush out the DNS, but IE keeps exhibiting the
same display error message, or the red-Xs in rectangles.

I tried dialup access and got the same display problems, so RCN doesn't seem to be the culprit.

Any settings in IE6 that can be tweaked for further diagnostics?

Thanks for the tip, tho, glc.

[toomyg]

did you try putting ei in it's default settings? TOOLS >INTERNET OPTIONS >ADVANCED >click restore defaults

[MarkTwain]

Yes, I tried that, and the IE display problems didn't cease.

[toomyg]

did you try an uninstall then reinstall ?

[glc]

You cannot "uninstall" IE6 from XP.

[MarkTwain]

I'm running W2K...

I won't try re-installing IE 6, until I've tried this recommendation from MS' Sandi Hardmeier, regarding the index.dat, a hidden file in the cache folders that could be corrupt.

Here's a link to her 2005 article about that, and the very symptoms I've been dealing with...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/.../ietopten.mspx

Any thoughts on her article?

Thanks for all your feedback so far....

[glc]

Crap Cleaner can flag the index.dat for deletion and recreation on reboot.

With Win2K you can revert to IE5 and then reinstall IE6 if necessary.

[MarkTwain]

I have SystemSuite - couldn't that program also fix the index.dat?

[glc]

No idea - but CCleaner is free and I *know* it does it. I don't use "pay for" utilities at all, freebies do everything I need.

[MarkTwain]

Thanks for the suggestion on Crap Cleaner, glc--I'll give it a spin.

[MarkTwain]

glc -

I did install and run "Crap Cleaner," and it found a lot of crud on my system, which I deleted.

But the original display problems plaguing IE 6 still persist...

Any further suggestions?

Thanks!

[Statica]

Try going to TOOLS > Internet Options > Connections tab > LAN Settings
Uncheck all three boxes in there and OK your way out.

Then click on the General tab > Browsing History > Settings > View Objects
Delete out the Windows Update control class objects.

[MarkTwain]

Statica, I did all that, but I still get the same old display problems.

But Thanks....