Browser "hangs", but can succussfully ping URLs

[BryanInAK]

Hi, I'm about out of hair and with my luck, it is a simple fix

DSL Connection (works fine with different computer, but same congifuration)
Windows XP Pro
IE 6.0.

I can ping any URL, but 95% of the URLs fail when I attmept to browse to them...the "status" (lower left corner) says..."Waiting for Reply..." and that is as far as I ever get.

I've removed all anti-virus/firewall software. No proxies, DNS entries are correct for ISP. I've run SpyHunt...No spyware, no viruses. Haven't loaded any software, or run any updates.

Along with this problem, for the few websites that do work, I have to type the full address in the address bar (e.g. "

http://www.google.com").

If I leave off the "

http://"

part of the address, the browser never even attempts to go to that site.

Any ideas?????

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[KiscoKid]

Have you tried re-installing the browser and/or service packing it? Or perhaps trying a different browser altogether (i.e. Firefox/Opera)

 

[hispeedtech]

Like KiscoKid implies, it sounds like a browser problem. I'd try the following
1. Try a different browser like KiscoKid suggests
2. Try running IE repair tool. It's available for Win '98 and 2000 but I'm not sure if it's available for XP. The path is Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Information->Tools->Internet Explorer Repair Tool.
3. Check your computers resources. After first starting (or restarting if computer is always on)right click on task bar, choose Task Manager, choose performance tab. Find your available memory and divide by your total memory and multiply by 100. This will give you the percentage of memory available . If it's under 35% (or available is under 64000 bytes) this could be the problem. IE just doesn't have enough memory when it starts to run properly. Also, check to see how many running processes you have. Optimally, you should have 30 processes or less running at this point, and if your processes are much above 40 chances are there's some other program interfering with IE.

Good Luck!

 

[umbletech]

Just a minor point - try browsing a site that doesn't work by IP - you might be pointing to a flakey/flooded dns server. You can stick an alternative dns in the client as a quick test.