Internet Explorer

[olldays]

I am having problems with IE 6. I want to remove it and reinstall it but all I get is an option to repair it. I have tried reinstalling but get a host of error messages.
One of the problems I encounter is being unable to log onto MSN chat. No big deal for me, but the kids miss it.
I am also thinking about formatting my hard drive and reinstalling only what I need. How should I approach this. Any suggestions PLEASE.

[RKC]

I don't know the answer here, but I would just switch browsers by downloading and using Mozilla, Firefox, or Opera. They are less buggy and faster than IE.

[GaryRouth]

. . . just wondered if you've found a solution?

There have been a fair number of security issues in the chat area lately, so it would be good to run a full system antivirus/antispyware scan to rule those out. A visit to Windows Update, if the system hasn't been there in a while, might help too.

If you are in a dialup situation, you might want to try ordering the "Windows Security Update CD" [you can copy-and-paste that phrase into the microsoft.com search box & get the links to the download]. The CD is free, and only takes a few minutes to run, once it arrives in the mail.

You should also be able to revert to your previous IE version, from Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Another component you can explore reinstalling is MS Chat itself. That should also be available at the microsoft.com downloads pages.

If MSN is your ISP, there is always the uninstall/reinstall option there too - especially if you use "MSN Explorer".

Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera are all highly recommended browsers, but even should you begin using them, you still need to make sure your operating system security updates are up-to-date. And of course if you don't have any antivirus, antispyware, and firewall protection, now's a good time to get started.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[olldays]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I appreciate your response and I have tried everything you suggested except the firewall protection. But these problems occurred all of a sudden and I think it may have something to do with my daughter attempting to download a program. So I am going to clean up the hard drive and see what happens next.
Thanks,