Computer help needed

[Quick Toy]

I need some help. I'm having a problem when trying to open links. When I click on a link, a "ghost window" opens, (it resembles a zoom window, with the underlying windows info in it) but nothing happens, and the address bar remains blank. If I copy the link, and paste it into the address bar and click go, it works.
I also have noticed that if I right click on any of my desktop icons, hit properties, and then hit "find target" nothing happens.

I run AdAware, Spybot Search and destroy, antivirus software and a firewall, so I'm pretty sure it isn't a virus.
To me this sounds like I have a corrupted file , but do not know where to look.
I did upgrade my video drivers recently, but all seemed to be normal at the time.
I have gone back to a previously saved registry version, stepped down to an earlier video card driver version, run all the scans, defragged, etc, and nothing shows up.
There are no other anomalies with the system.
I'm running Win98SE.

Paul

[charleslong]

Originally Posted by Quick Toy

I need some help. I'm having a problem when trying to open links. When I click on a link, a "ghost window" opens, (it resembles a zoom window, with the underlying windows info in it) but nothing happens, and the address bar remains blank. If I copy the link, and paste it into the address bar and click go, it works.
I also have noticed that if I right click on any of my desktop icons, hit properties, and then hit "find target" nothing happens.

I run AdAware, Spybot Search and destroy, antivirus software and a firewall, so I'm pretty sure it isn't a virus.
To me this sounds like I have a corrupted file , but do not know where to look.
I did upgrade my video drivers recently, but all seemed to be normal at the time.
I have gone back to a previously saved registry version, stepped down to an earlier video card driver version, run all the scans, defragged, etc, and nothing shows up.
There are no other anomalies with the system.
I'm running Win98SE.

Paul

I know just the fix for you,
I had the same thing happen to me, but I didnt feel like figuring it out. So I downloaded fire fox. It was recommened to me from here. http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Charles

[Orlando_87GN]

Win98 has most likely sold the farm. Go into internet options and reset everything to default. Also open the Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections and click the Setup button. Make sure the isn't a proxy setting that found it's way in there from some sort of hijack.

Recommending firefox b/c IE is broke is like recommending everyone to install a V8 in their Buick when their car is not running right

[charleslong]

Originally Posted by Orlando_87GN

Win98 has most likely sold the farm. Go into internet options and reset everything to default. Also open the Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections and click the Setup button. Make sure the isn't a proxy setting that found it's way in there from some sort of hijack.

Recommending firefox b/c IE is broke is like recommending everyone to install a V8 in their Buick when their car is not running right

I wouldnt recommend a V8 to be installed probably worse on gas.
I recommended it, b/c I liked it and I didnt have to figure out what was wrong with IE. My IE was acting up like that on a brand new computer and fresh install. That was the only problem I had out of IE, but I am always willing to try something new. Firefox definately solved my problem
, I havent looked back at IE.
Good luck with your fix though

[Quick Toy]

Originally Posted by Orlando_87GN

Win98 has most likely sold the farm. Go into internet options and reset everything to default. Also open the Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections and click the Setup button. Make sure the isn't a proxy setting that found it's way in there from some sort of hijack.

Recommending firefox b/c IE is broke is like recommending everyone to install a V8 in their Buick when their car is not running right

Thanks Mike.
I did check and nothing showed up in the proxy settings. I just ran the IE5 repair tool, but need to reboot the system.
LOL at the V8 comment, hybrid brethren . For me it is the other way around computer wise. I'm still running Win98SE and IE5.50.
Hey if it ain't broke... but I do think It's time for an upgrade.

Charles
Funny, as I was looking for fixes, I did end up reading a lot about Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera. If I need to re-install the browser, I may try one of the alternatives.

Paul

[charleslong]

Originally Posted by Quick Toy

Thanks Mike.
I did check and nothing showed up in the proxy settings. I just ran the IE5 repair tool, but need to reboot the system.
LOL at the V8 comment, hybrid brethren . For me it is the other way around computer wise. I'm still running Win98SE and IE5.50.
Hey if it ain't broke... but I do think It's time for an upgrade.

Charles
Funny, as I was looking for fixes, I did end up reading a lot about Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera. If I need to re-install the browser, I may try one of the alternatives.

Paul

Let us know if you get it fixed.

[Quick Toy]

Fixed the problem
FWIW
If anybody runs into this problem in the future.

It was an...

Unhandled exception
Error number 0x80070725
Incompatible version of the RPC stub

Cause
"This error is caused by an incompatible version of a DLL that was installed on the system, such as Oleaut32.dl..."

Fix
Use the SFC tool and extract oleaut32.dll from the Win cab files to the Win/Sys folder.
Worked like a charm

Paul

P.S.
I'm still playing with Mozilla Firefox and Opera... I'm liking what I see so far.