Geek Needed!

[DaveM]

I am having intermittent problems with IE 7 running under Windows XP. Every now and then it freezes and goes into "not responding" mode--at times I have to reboot the computer to get it working again. The most common cause of a freeze is playing videos.

I have downloaded and installed the latest version of IE 7, swept the entire computer for viruses and spyware, all to no avail. Is it time for a Windows reinstall (I hate those!)?

Thoughts are welcome.

[paularoid]

Sounds like it might be a "codec" (COmpressor/DECompressor) issue. Or possibly a DRM issue. Go over to http://www.codecguide.com/ and take a look around to see what you think. If you're going to download and install a codec pack from there (highly recommended) I'd say go for the "full" codec pack rather than the "mega". The mega will give you all kinds of things that you might not need,.... even though it probably couldn't hurt.

[Amy in Vermont]

If it twas moi, I would uninstall IE 7!

[DaveM]

Believe me, I've thought about that. Is it even possible to uninstall it? Understand that I've only been dealing with XP since the beginning of the year and there are plenty of things I'm still doing for the first time.

I have the MSN browser as well--it too has been locking up on occasion in recent days but not nearly so often as IE7.

Am I way out of line suspecting a registry problem?

[KarenSews2]

I stumbled in here by accident again! I know I can't be in Geek-O-Rama without supervision!

I'll be going, now!

[DaveM]

Did the codec reinstall. It ran fine for me all of last night but still locked up once while I was attempting to watch a YouTube video.

Conversely, the new codecs allow me to play some videos I downloaded ages ago without the slightest problem. Before installation, they wouldn't play at all or would freeze after a few seconds.

[DaveM]

Now have installed every Windows XP update I was told to, including the brand new Media Player 11. Same problem. My finger itches toward the "restore" button....