Internet Explorer is not opening, wireless but not wired connection- update to Win 10?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Astralv

Astralv

Distinguished
May 6, 2013
1,916
9
20,015
Hey, guys

I am fixing my child's computer to get it ready for the school year. It is Dell Vostro 420 Core 2 Duo 2.8 Gh dual core processor.

It originally had Vista business 32 bit system, but was upgraded to Windows 7. When I did it, I installed the drivers that came on CD with the system. I do not remember what exactly I did or did not install as it has been a while. There is a possibility that I did not install LAN driver, or may be I did.

I have two issues: first: The Internet Explorer is not opening. It opens new window, "thinking", and then closes the window. No typical message as if the Internet did not work- the windows just closes.

The computer is connected to the internet, it shows icon for 'Wireless" in the trey. I also connected it to wired internet, but it does not switch to 'wired" icon, and if I click on the wireless icon, it says, "Currently connected to network..."

Google Chrome is working and computer is able to download and install the updates.

Dell offers the drivers that I can look up by the service tag and try to reinstall if I have to.

Do you know why would Internet Explorer not open? Any solutions? I found some "Fast Browser" installed and uninstalled it. I have Webroot Secure Anywhere installed- I ran the scans- it found some threat, removed it but did not fix the IE.

Why do I see the Wireless connection and not wired? Am I missing the driver for LAN?

Should I go ahead and upgrade it to Win 10? I know it will not resolve the issues- I would like to fix it first... what should I do? Thank you.

 
Sort by date Sort by votes
gbb0330

gbb0330

Reputable
Apr 28, 2015
1,498
0
5,960


upgrading a system designed for vista to windows 10 may be problematic. do you see drivers for windows 10 on dell's website, for that system?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Astralv

Astralv

Distinguished
May 6, 2013
1,916
9
20,015
Well- the system was bought at a time when Win 7 was nearly available so it came with Vista installed and upgrade option to Win 7 (I got DVD with Win 7 directly from Microsoft). I do not worry that much that it will not be compatible with Win 10. The specifications requirements for Win 10 are not that advanced. Also I do understand that there may be issue. It says on this service tag product page,

"Product not tested for Windows 10 upgrade
Dell has not confirmed that this product can upgrade to Windows 10. Some drivers, firmware, applications, and connected devices may not work as you would expect."

Was not confirmed does not mean- it will not work. Also it has Win 10 icon, saying that I can reserve the Win 10, (it never offered the compatibility report).

I am concerned about the Internet Explorer because if this is a virus preventing it from opening, upgrading to Win 10 will not fix it. I would like to figure out why IE is not opening- it used to open just fine after Win 7 upgrade. My child used it for very short time and then we moved it to his room and it would not stay on line (would constantly disconnect), so he stopped using it. I thought it was driver issue, but after I brought it to the living room, where all our computers and Wireless internet are located, it stays connected. Also it plugged to the WIRED connection at the same time, so I don't know if it is my Wireless works so good or if it also uses Wired at the same time... Is there a way to prove that it uses wired connection? Can it use both at the same time?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gbb0330

gbb0330

Reputable
Apr 28, 2015
1,498
0
5,960


you can disable the wireless (network and sharing center -> change adapter settings -> right click disable). both can be enabled but only one will be used. if you have both enabled you can set the priority. (same place as above -> advanced -> advanced settings, move priority up and down with arrows)

try resetting IE. go to control panel -> internet options -> Advanced tab -> Reset
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Astralv

Astralv

Distinguished
May 6, 2013
1,916
9
20,015
Thank you for your suggestion. I installed Chipset (probably 2nd time) and updated the BIOS. When I restarted, it was installing many drivers, and then said- my wireless driver failed... so not it shows "WIRED" icon, and it connected to the wired network. While it is what I wanted to see, it does not address my old problem of Wireless disconnecting in my son's room. But I will get back to it later.

I reset the IE like you suggested and it does not open. The window stays white and then closes itself. This is weird. I need other ideas of how to fix IE. It is IE! The main component of Windows. There has to be a way to reinstall IE or fix it or diagnose it... This system is probably not WinX ready, but I would at least like to fix IE and make sure it is not a virus preventing it from opening... Something closing that window! I have Malware Bytes- should I install it?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Astralv

Astralv

Distinguished
May 6, 2013
1,916
9
20,015
Now- this is interesting. I log in to my child's account, uninstall 2 more suspicious game-related elements in Add/Remove, and then noting that his Internet Explorer icon has a little golden lock on it. What in a world? I never saw anything like this. have you ever seen a lock on IE icon? How do I fix this/ Thank you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gbb0330

gbb0330

Reputable
Apr 28, 2015
1,498
0
5,960


i think a fresh install of windows is your best option here.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Astralv

Astralv

Distinguished
May 6, 2013
1,916
9
20,015
Fresh install of Windows 7? This is boring... lol.

This is what I found on the net: http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/481446-internet-explorer-11-icon-has-a-pad-lock-on-the-lower-right-side-remove

In the first post it has a picture of what I have and it explains that we got "Safe Search" search lock. And yes, I see it in Chrome. There is a link to another thread about how to remove it, but it is too advanced for me- I can not follow the directions.

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/YTsjmFFCPn8
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom