Windows xp media center Internet Explorer

[John43]

I am trying to build my first computer. The build went well as far as I can tell. When I loaded my operating system, Windows Media Center, my internet explore does not seem to be functioning properly. When I click on IE, a text box pops up and asks me what application I want to run it under, notepad, wordpad, media center, etc. Also, the Icon on the desktop is a square icon, not the little "e". I have tried to download ie from microsoft from my old computer and transfer it to my new one, but my new one says it already has a newer version on it. What gives? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am definitely a beginner as far as build and software knowledge.

[pam123]

This is a shot of the MCE desktop : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/m...rprograms.mspx

When you say IE is in a box is this what you mean?
If so there's nothing wrong.
Do you "just" browse the web, are you going to using the on-line TV Guide?
Are there any documents you would be using, in wordpad for instance, that would require you to jump on line?
Pick the one(s) that you will use, don't worry you can change them later if you want, and enable IE under them.
Since this is a media PC I'd assume you'd want to run it under media center.
It's a bit disconcerting at first but it doesn't sound like anything is wrong, just different.
You'll still have to set up the internet connections, just like you would with any other XP install.
So bring up the Control Panel and go into Network Connections.

[John43]

Hey, thanks for the info. No, that is not what I am seeing. When I click on the start button and the Administrator box comes up, Internet explorer is in the upper left hand corner. The icon beside the internet explorer title is not the typical small e, but what looks like a piece of paper with the upper right hand corner folded and a screen imbedded in it with 3 small figures in it. This icon is only about 1/2 inch square.

Sorry I didnt reply sooner, I have been out wiring my house I am building.

John

[pam123]

"...I have been out wiring my house I am building."
Now that's a real build!
When you skip the start menu and go into All Programs and click on IE what happens?
Right click on it and click on Properties, what do you get?
It sounds strangely as if you've got the icon for Windows Messenger instead of IE.
Doing a repair install of IE will fix that but I don't see how it could happen in the first place.
Repair instructions : http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_ie6.htm

[John43]

Well, I cant find IE listed in all programs anywhere. This makes no sense to me. Also, somebody told me to click Run, then type in iexplore. The message comes up that windows cant find iexplore. This supposedly will find IE, but it doesnt. I will try the fix. Thanks again. By the way, I have a picture of my house at rocksolidconcretehomes.com, but it is over a year old. I"ve been too busy to update my website unfortunately, but hope to soon.

John

[John43]

Also, some are recommending I just forget ie and install Firefox. Any comments?

[pam123]

As a regular FireFox user since May 2004 I love the browser.
You, as the owner of a Windows MCE box, that will need updating are going to need IE at least for that.
Also, IE should have installed and it's worrying that it didn't , it raises the question of whatelse isn't installed that should have been and that just isn't obvious at this point.
Forget my suggestion of a repair reinstall, do a full format/reinstall and if IE is missing again, return the cd for an exchange, it's defective.

[John43]

Good point on the defective cd. I agree that something serious is wrong with it. For example when I click on help and support, I get a box that says windows cant find helpctr.exe. This seems odd unless it is related to ie, which I doubt. I bought all of this stuff from Newegg, I guess we will see how a return goes. Thanks for the help.

[John43]

Also, when I load the system, which I have like 4 or 5 times, it asks for the service pack 2 disk, which did not come with the other 2 set up cds and 2005 update cd. This seemed odd to me. A call to Microsoft got me nowhere. l never could get this explained, although I had a terrible time understanding them, I dont know if their help desk is in India or what, but it is a struggle. The MS lady said that the service pack 2 stuff was loaded because when I right click on my computer and check properties, it lists it as service pack 2.

[pam123]

Newegg's policy on returns is excellent, no worries there.

[pam123]

Originally Posted by John43 Also, when I load the system, which I have like 4 or 5 times, it asks for the service pack 2 disk, which did not come with the other 2 set up cds and 2005 update cd. This seemed odd to me. A call to Microsoft got me nowhere. l never could get this explained, although I had a terrible time understanding them, I dont know if their help desk is in India or what, but it is a struggle. The MS lady said that the service pack 2 stuff was loaded because when I right click on my computer and check properties, it lists it as service pack 2.

This has to of come up before I'll do a little googling,
That didn't take long and look what I found : http://groups.google.com/group/micro...3db3e87cc008ad

[John43]

Interesting point, the repair procedure asks for the service pack 2 disk also, and none of the 3 disks i have are the correct disk, each gets an error. I guess at this point it sure looks like the operating system disks are defective. Boy, what a stroke of bad luck for a first build if this turns out to be the case. Well, I have learned a lot in the process though.

The system is an amd 3700, asus a8n premium board, antec sonata 2 case.

John

[John43]

Wow, that disk swap may be it!!!!! I would have never understood it to mean that. If this works you are a life saver. I will try it tomorrow. Thanks a million either way. I will update to show results Sunday Night.

[pam123]

I'm not sure what I was expecting but that house is lovely.
Is it just chance that I found myself thinking of Mt. Vernon?

[John43]

Thanks for the house comments. As for as Mount Vernon, I wish! I did design the house myself though. Its a simple design, but I did have to redo the dormer roofs 3 times before I got it to look right. Right now houses are a lot easier than computers!!! I am reloading the os now to see how it goes, couldnt wait.

[John43]

Cant believe the people at ms didnt tell me this. The directions are very specific instructing you to load the disk labled service pack 2, which this disk of course isnt. Thanks a million for the help, ie and a lot of other goodies loaded up this time, so I would say we are good to go as soon as I get the new computer registered through the cable co.

Thanks again,

John

[pam123]

Great to hear.
Make note of what you did and tuck it in with the CDs so that when you have to reinstall the OS, and that happens to all of us eventually, you'll have the real instructions to follow.