Guru or something else my problem?

I have used Guru daily for a couple years now, but recently I started having problems. Randomly it will lock up on me. My mouse still moves, but the screen won't scroll, none of the links on screen work, and even my Internet Explorer buttons won't function (Back, Home, etc.). The only thing I am able to do is close the window with the X in the top right corner, which asks me if I want to send a report in. I have sent the report, but do not expect anything to happen because of it. ONLY Guru does this, and I visit several sites daily, and have for the same amount of time. No new software has been installed or removed, I have scanned for viruses, adware, malware, etc. and my program is up to date (McAfee).

There are times I can't even load one page before it locks up, and other times it will work fine for an hour or more. So time doesn't seem to be the problem. I don't remember exactly when it started, but the day I first noticed it, I also noticed a new ad displayed across the bottom of the page. Laughably, I can't remember what the ad was for, but it was/is the only one I have seen across the bottom that covered part of the Guru screen. I'll edit this post with the info on the ad the next time I see it.

So, is this something caused by my Internet Explorer, Guru, or some other source I haven't learned of yet? How can I find out and fix it? Any help is appreciated, and if more info is needed, let me know.

Thanks for taking time to assist me.

Magma, I haven't had any reports of problems, it could very well be that the ad is interfering with your IE though since these have only been up for about a week. Could you please let me know what version of IE you are using?

IE8 - not sure what else I can tell you. If you need more than that, you'll have to tell me how to get the info. lol

And as a note, I had to try 3 times before I could post this reply

I might suggest to use a better browser. Using IE is basically an open invitation to all sorts of crap. Try Chrome or Firefox.

Suggest away, but I don't want to. I know other browsers offer various things that may be better in many ways. But I am used to IE and do not want to spend time learning something new. For what I do, it does the job fine, and I'm not looking for something new. I am just wondering what is causing my problems. If it is IE that is causing my problems I MAY look into a new browser. But since it is a NEW problem, I expect it is fixable.

Well, it's not like using firefox is so extremely different than using IE. It takes like a few minutes tops to figure out how everything works, and it would probably fix your problem, saving you tons of time and frustration in the process.

IE 8 is the problem. I would bet on it. Uninstall it and go back to IE 7, or better yet use Firefox.

Uninstall any IE Updates first, then IE 8 itself. You will get a panic popup saying that some things may not work if you uninstall. Ive not had any problems after uninstalling IE8 and Ive had to do it at 10-15x at my job.

What divine said.

IE8=Security Holes

I agree Firefox is not that hard to learn or use and loads pretty fast. It also has other cool add on features once you get use to it. I'm like you I don't like change much. which is the reason I have yet to switch to Vista lol. I'll wait for windows 7. Anywho I upgraded to IE 8 and it's been hooped ever since. There is this thing called compatibility icon you can set it in IE 8 to always show pages with the compatibility enabled. IE 8's home page will show you more info on this.

Good Luck.

Thanks, but nobody has offered help yet. I am not asking for info on a new browser. Whether you agree with me or not, whether you think me an idiot or not, I am not replacing my browser unless I have no other choice.

If there is a problem due to IE, why is it ONLY with Guru, and why did it just show up within the last week or so? If it is a problem with IE, what is that problem, and how can I fix it? I have been using the current version of it (according to the 'Properties' option) since February of 2008. If it is a problem with IE, it should be something that can be fixed, so I'd like info on how to do that. If it is something other than IE, I still need to find out what.

Firefox = the help.

Magma, I'll look into it. Thanks for the heads up.

Problem fairly recent? I use Firefox, and have been having DNS problems with guru and a handful of other sites, most work fine though...

Thank you Inde. I'm amazed you ever get anything done, it seems you are always doing something

For what it's worth, here's a story about a recent Windows vulnerability affecting IE:

http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/984

My vote would be this:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Installing+Firefox

(If your comp has been infected with trojans or viruses, some cleanup may also be necessary.)

In the unlikely event that its an update to your system or addition to IE etc.
You could try a back step see if it cures the problem and then jump back again if it doesn't do anything.

You seem so firm in your decision that it's not your browser when your asking for help and people suggest something. Your unwilling to take 5 minutes to test their ideas? I myself would say it is the ie 8 if you are that worried about it just go back to 7 and see if it clears up. But why should I try to help if your so unwilling to accept any help from anyone (excluding inde but it'd just be idiotic to ignore someone who can ban you without blinking).

Btw. If you don't like change...it'll be fun to see when you switch to windows 7

Im going to support the switch to firefox. Its somewhat silly (more stubborn) to not want to switch. I can empathize with you on not wanting to change. Been there done that on a lot of different things.

The facts remains. A LOT of people have issues with IE8 including myself. For example. My IE8 was taking over 5-8 secs on a 3meg connection just to load up. Even at times with other website it would run into issues. Little things like on my address bar....I always click on a website to jump to and the link on the address bar just disappears-nothing happens. Now is that a big issue no. But still an annoyance.

I actually have firefox and IE8 as of right now. Mostly I use firefox for almost all of my websites except for guru and a handfull of others.

Firefox is easy to learn. Ive had no issues what so-ever.

Maybe thats a possibility for you. DL firefox while keeping your IE and try it out.

IE8 worked fine for me.

I'd suspect there is something other than the browser at work here. (Suggesting a switch to another browser is fine, but after they say they don't want to switch, don't you think another path of assistance is needed folks?)

Have you done a virus/spyware scan recently?

Please download my Anti-Malware Toolkit and get the package that matches your Operating System. Then follow the directions in the PC Cleanup guide. After that, please post a HijackThis log.

IE8 load time has nothing to do with what sort of Internet connection you have.

Suggesting and using an alternative browser is okay, but the OP doesn't want to switch and the choice is ultimately theirs.

People are saying IE8 is not as secure as IE7 which is completely untrue. IE8 is the latest browser which has multiple enhancements that affect both the computer's OS and the browser itself. A prime example is how things such as Windows Explorer relies on the IECore.dll file. Having that updated to IE8 means less chance of security vulnerabilities.

If IE8 is running slow for you, make sure your Restricted Sites list is empty, and don't use the Hosts file to block malicious websites. It's a placebo that really doesn't do any good.