IE 6 SP1 stops responding when search button is clicked

[eastbr]

It has happened on two of my computers now that when I try to do a search (any search engine) the browser immediately hangs. When I open task manager it says IE is not responding. I have applied all the patches available in Windows Update.

The hardware is completey different on the two PC's, but the operating system is Windows 2000 Pro SP3. I tried logging in under a different profile to test if something was corrupt in the user profile. Username and password were authenticated on the network, the password dialog box goes away and I am left with a blank blue screen.
Thanks in advance for any help, I am stumped.

 

[carrr]

Go into Regedit.
Delete the ITBarLayout Value Name at:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser

 

[eastbr]

I tried what was suggested but the problem persists.
More ideas?

 

[carrr]

Gonna look into it some more. Thought was it for sure...knocking off for the day here...if someone hasn't fixed it for you between now and then, I'll be back in the a.m.

 

[carrr]

Do you by chance have the Google toolbar installed on the pc(s)?

 

[carrr]

Also, as a peremptory strike, please download and run SpyBot S&D, at:

http://security.kolla.de/

 

[eastbr]

Cool spyware removal tool! It will be very useful. Unfortunately it did not fix the problem.

The Google toolbar is not installed on the machines in question, although I use it quite a bit on my own PC. Are there issues I should be wary of with the Google Toolbar?

 

[carrr]

Yes. It's really quite a piece of crap, causes many "side effects," including the one you're having on these machines. Some people run it with no hitches, others have a total fit with it...go figure. Does IE totally hang...with no relief, or will it resume normal operation after a period of time?

 

[eastbr]

IE hangs instantly on clicking "search" and has to be forced to close. I ahve about resigned myself to reinstalling Windows

Thanks for your help.

 

[carrr]

I wouldn't jump to that yet. Go into Add/Remove Programs and initiate doing so to IE. You'll get an option to repair. See if any benefit comes from running it.

 

[eastbr]

I have tried repairing IE, I have tried reinstalling IE 6 Service pack1, and I have tried rolling IE back to the previous version and reinstalling IE 6, all to no avail.

 

[Poesiemau]

Hiya, if you still have this problem, you might try to uncheck the options for autocomplete at forms (and eventually usernames and passwords). I had the same problem as you had and for me it worked.

Good luck!!