# IE6 - i think i've killed it **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 2, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252 "2003-01-02T19:21:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/1 "2003-01-02T19:21:29Z")
OK Here’s the problem, IE6 has died. Whenever i try to open a website through it it comes up ‘page cannot be displayed’ I’ve tried re-installing it twice, repairing it and reverting back to IE5, but it still wont work, at the moment im using Phoenix (from [Mozilla.org](http://Mozilla.org)) and it’s working fine but i wanr IE back! it was better integrated into the system and i didnt have to keep downloading plug-ins. As far as i know I havent done anything to affect how IE works, so if anyone has any idea on how to fix it id appreciate it -Thanks.😕 ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/2 "2003-01-02T19:34:12Z")
Sounds like anetwork problem to me and not like a browser problem. Can you get your POP3 email? ---
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/3 "2003-01-02T19:41:30Z")
I can’t, not through Outlook Express as i normally do anyway, is that bad? ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/4 "2003-01-02T19:54:16Z")
It’s unlikely to be a network or DNS problem since you’re able to view pages ok in another browser. There may be something wrong in your Internet settings. First go to **Tools|Internet Options**. Click **Delete Cookies** and hit **OK**. Also hit **Delete Files** , check the box for **Delete all offline content** and hit **OK**. This may take a while if you have a big cache built up. When it’s finished go to the **Connections** tab. If you are using dialup, verify that the correct modem connection is set as default and that **Always dial my default connection** is selected. If you connect to the Internet over a network, **Never dial a connection** should be dotted. Next, click the **LAN Settings** button. Make sure that none of the boxes are checked (unless you actually do use a proxy server). Hit **OK** twice, close IE, and then go back in. ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/5 "2003-01-02T20:25:20Z")
Does it work if you prepend the web address with ‘http://’? ---
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/6 "2003-01-02T20:33:17Z")
I’ve just done the things mentioned by Number, and still nothing - it doesnt work if i put ‘http://’ before the address either - would it be best to email Microsoft directly? ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/7 "2003-01-02T20:46:36Z")
Did you install any software or make any changes to the system prior to the IE breakage? ---
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/8 "2003-01-02T21:30:06Z")
we did install some hardware - A new scanner, and a CD burner but i didnt see how that could have affected it, could it? ((also i’ve just uninstalled IE6 (using 98Lite) and then re-installed it - no good.)) ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/9 "2003-01-02T21:56:22Z")
Can you copy and paste the text on the IE page that comes up when you try to access a site? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/10 "2003-01-02T21:59:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ICP9991 \* > \*\*we did install some hardware - A new scanner, and a CD burner but i didnt see how that could have affected it, could it? > > ((also i’ve just uninstalled IE6 (using 98Lite) and then re-installed it - no good.)) \*\* I had the same problem. I took the box to the PC store and they diagnosed it as “broken IE”. Since I had upgraded IE to 6 (the original install had 5) I could not do a reinstall or an uninstall of IE or the operating system. The guy at the store just looked at me and gave me the “your screwed” look. Turns out I had to wipe the hard drive clean and do a fresh install. I guess once you break IE 6 if it is an upgrade, you can`t really fix it. If yours is an upgraded version of IE you may be screwed too. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/11 "2003-01-02T22:07:53Z")
IANACE\* but… This happened to me with IE6 using WinXP and I was able to go to Start\>Programs\>Accessories\>System\>System Restore, pick a date that it was last working, and restore it. If you’re using 98 - I don’t remember if there’s an equivalent. ☹ Just a thought. Grace \*I am not a computer expert. ---
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/12 "2003-01-02T22:17:14Z")
…did i mention how much i hate bill gates? Thanks for your help, i dont think Win98 has a system restore feature, but im not an expert…I guess its off to the shop > [@](#): > > The page cannot be displayed > The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings. that’s the text which comes up. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/13 "2003-01-02T22:32:46Z")
This is the sort of thing we see at my job a lot . . . I’d suggest calling your ISP’s tech support, or reinstalling TCP/IP if you know how. If you don’t, don’t try it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![ICP9991](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@ICP9991](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ICP9991)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/14 "2003-01-02T22:42:20Z")
Thanks, I think I’ll format it, - if all else fails, nuke the c\*nt ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ie6-i-think-ive-killed-it/146252/15 "2003-01-03T13:28:36Z")
I tried calling the ISP (cable modem service), they walked me through several steps to try to trouble shoot the problem and it couldn`t be corrected. They decided it was an MS problem. Then the shop confirmed it for me. Have fun doing the reinstall. At least you can back up everything. It isn`t like your hard drive is shot. One more thing. When I had my problem (same message you had on the screen) for some reason I couldn`t even defrag the hard drive or run scan disk completely. Both utilities would hang. For what it`s worth.