# Internet Explorer Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 24, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488 "2002-11-24T15:33:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/1 "2002-11-24T15:33:31Z")
This has never happened to me before, but for the past four days I have been unable to access the internet through Internet Explorer on my desktop. I thought at first it must be a problem with my cable modem, but I can still access the internet through AOL (which I am doing right now). I much prefer using Internet Explorer for many reasons that I don’t need to get into now. Can anyone explain what has gone wrong? Much thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/2 "2002-11-24T17:29:00Z")
What errors did you get? Can you launch it at all? Details will be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/3 "2002-11-24T17:38:05Z")
What version of Windows and IE are we talking about? Have you installed any other software lately? ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/4 "2002-11-24T18:49:19Z")
Sorry for the lack of specificity. I am running Windows 98. No I haven’t added any software programs lately. It doesn’t give me an error message. Instead, it says that it is connecting to my ISP#, but the connection never takes place. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2002, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/5 "2002-11-24T19:04:24Z")
It sounds like IE may be trying to dial an old modem connection. Go to **Tools|Internet Options|Connections** and select **Never dial a connection**. Also click the **LAN Settings** button in the lower-right and make sure that none of the boxes are checked. Hit **OK** twice, close IE, and go back in. These instructions pertain to IE 5 or higher. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/6 "2002-11-24T21:39:55Z")
If you’re making the connection to your ISP’s servers but are unable to view web pages (i.e. you get a “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error when you open IE) it’s most likely a DNS problem–Windows isn’t picking up your ISP’s name server addresses. Check out the Microsoft KB article[Q293402](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293402) for more help. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/7 "2002-11-24T22:06:53Z")
Number, you are the MAN!!!😃 I followed your easy-to-understand instructions, and voila, I am back on Internet Explorer. thanks to everyone for their help, and thank you Straight Dope for providing such a useful forum.😃 😃 ---
**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:** [November 25, 2002, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-problem/138488/8 "2002-11-25T00:05:18Z")
No problem. Welcome to the boards. 🙂