Discussion:
IE shortcuts don't work
(too old to reply)
Homer
2009-07-26 14:53:01 UTC
Permalink
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again. I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.

Thanks.
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-07-26 15:26:31 UTC
Permalink
"Sometimes shortcuts don't work" doesn't give us much to go on, I'm afraid.
If you get any error messages when clicking on such a desktop shortcut, post
the messages in their entirety.

If you create a new desktop shortcut, does the behavior occur with it, too?

Is your computer fully patched at Windows Update?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Post by Homer
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again. I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.
Homer
2009-07-26 18:56:02 UTC
Permalink
Thanks for the quick reply.

Unfortunately, there is no error message when this has happened. When I
click on the icon, nothing happens. All my application shortcuts work just
fine and so does the shortcut to IE.

I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date. I use
Windows Defender and whatever anti-spyware my ISP provides. I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.

I also just made sure I had all the current Windows update for my machine.
They've been downloaded and installed.

I think that addresses all the questions you raised.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
"Sometimes shortcuts don't work" doesn't give us much to go on, I'm afraid.
If you get any error messages when clicking on such a desktop shortcut, post
the messages in their entirety.
If you create a new desktop shortcut, does the behavior occur with it, too?
Is your computer fully patched at Windows Update?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?
Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Post by Homer
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again. I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-07-26 19:11:58 UTC
Permalink
Repost: If you create a new desktop shortcut (link), does the behavior occur
with it, too?

Is another browser installed (e.g., Chrome; Firefox)? If so, is IE set as
your default browser?
Post by Homer
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date.
What's the name & version of the Norton application (e.g., Norton 360/N360
2009; Norton Internet Security/NIS 2007)?

Was an earlier Norton application ever installed on the computer (e.g., NIS
2004; NAV 2004)?

Has a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer (e.g., a free
trial preinstalled when you bought it)?
Post by Homer
...I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
Uh, ISP's don't provide firewalls (other than a hardware firewall included
with an ISP-supplied modem). Make sure that the Norton Firewall is enabled
but the Windows Firewall (Control Panel | Windows Firewall) is disabled.

To test, you might disable the Norton firewall and then enable the Windows
Firewall and see if the behavior persists.
Post by Homer
Thanks for the quick reply.
Unfortunately, there is no error message when this has happened. When I
click on the icon, nothing happens. All my application shortcuts work just
fine and so does the shortcut to IE.
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date. I use
Windows Defender and whatever anti-spyware my ISP provides. I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
I also just made sure I had all the current Windows update for my machine.
They've been downloaded and installed.
I think that addresses all the questions you raised.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
"Sometimes shortcuts don't work" doesn't give us much to go on, I'm afraid.
If you get any error messages when clicking on such a desktop shortcut,
post the messages in their entirety.
If you create a new desktop shortcut, does the behavior occur with it, too?
Is your computer fully patched at Windows Update?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Post by Homer
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again.
I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.
Homer
2009-07-26 22:06:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Repost: If you create a new desktop shortcut (link), does the behavior occur
with it, too? Yes
Is another browser installed (e.g., Chrome; Firefox)? If so, is IE set as
your default browser? NO
Post by Homer
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date.
What's the name & version of the Norton application (e.g., Norton 360/N360
2009; Norton Internet Security/NIS 2007)?Norton Internet Security 2009
Was an earlier Norton application ever installed on the computer (e.g., NIS
2004; NAV 2004)? No
Has a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer (e.g., a free
trial preinstalled when you bought it)? No
Post by Homer
...I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
Uh, ISP's don't provide firewalls (other than a hardware firewall included
with an ISP-supplied modem). Make sure that the Norton Firewall is enabled
but the Windows Firewall (Control Panel | Windows Firewall) is disabled. OK
To test, you might disable the Norton firewall and then enable the Windows
Firewall and see if the behavior persists.
Post by Homer
Thanks for the quick reply.
Unfortunately, there is no error message when this has happened. When I
click on the icon, nothing happens. All my application shortcuts work just
fine and so does the shortcut to IE.
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date. I use
Windows Defender and whatever anti-spyware my ISP provides. I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
I also just made sure I had all the current Windows update for my machine.
They've been downloaded and installed.
I think that addresses all the questions you raised.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
"Sometimes shortcuts don't work" doesn't give us much to go on, I'm afraid.
If you get any error messages when clicking on such a desktop shortcut,
post the messages in their entirety.
If you create a new desktop shortcut, does the behavior occur with it, too?
Is your computer fully patched at Windows Update?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Post by Homer
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again.
I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-07-26 23:12:58 UTC
Permalink
[Please try to avoid inline replies.]

Right-click on My Computer, click on Properties: What WinXP version is
listed on the resulting General tab (e.g., WinXP SP3)?

Open IE & click on HELP then ABOUT: Are you sure IE7 isn't listed here
(e.g., v7.0.5730.11)?

What anti-virus application or security suite was installed before you
installed NIS 2009?
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Repost: If you create a new desktop shortcut (link), does the behavior
occur with it, too? Yes
Is another browser installed (e.g., Chrome; Firefox)? If so, is IE set as
your default browser?
NO
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Post by Homer
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date.
What's the name & version of the Norton application (e.g., Norton 360/N360
2009; Norton Internet Security/NIS 2007)?
Norton Internet Security 2009
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Was an earlier Norton application ever installed on the computer (e.g., NIS
2004; NAV 2004)?
No
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Has a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer (e.g., a free
trial preinstalled when you bought it)?
No
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Post by Homer
...I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
Uh, ISP's don't provide firewalls (other than a hardware firewall included
with an ISP-supplied modem). Make sure that the Norton Firewall is enabled
but the Windows Firewall (Control Panel | Windows Firewall) is disabled.
OK
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
To test, you might disable the Norton firewall and then enable the Windows
Firewall and see if the behavior persists.
Post by Homer
Thanks for the quick reply.
Unfortunately, there is no error message when this has happened. When I
click on the icon, nothing happens. All my application shortcuts work just
fine and so does the shortcut to IE.
I have Norton the machine and the subscription is up to date. I use
Windows Defender and whatever anti-spyware my ISP provides. I also have a
firewall provided by my ISP in addition to the one provided by Norton.
I also just made sure I had all the current Windows update for my machine.
They've been downloaded and installed.
I think that addresses all the questions you raised.
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
"Sometimes shortcuts don't work" doesn't give us much to go on, I'm afraid.
If you get any error messages when clicking on such a desktop shortcut,
post the messages in their entirety.
If you create a new desktop shortcut, does the behavior occur with it, too?
Is your computer fully patched at Windows Update?
What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
Post by Homer
I'm running XP for home and IE 6. Recently, my desktop shortcuts stop
working from time to time. They just don't open the site that they're tied
to. I don't get any error message when this happens. If I reboot, the
problem goes away for awhile. Not sure what triggers the problem again.
I
haven't installed any new hardware or software.
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