Pages keep freezing [Solved]

[PEV]

Hi all
I run windows 8.1 which has been fine up to recently but now more and more when I go to a webpage via Google it is freezing = won't allow me to go back or close the page and the only way out is to close down via the start menu and reboot.
I haven't seen any indication of a virus from my Windows Defender AV.
Can someone help please it's becoming a real pain.
Ray

 

[KenB]

Hi Ray

now more and more when I go to a webpage via Google it is freezing

Have you tried a different browser?
If you are using Chrome - try something like FireFox.
[ You can have more than one browser on your system without any problems ]

Get FireFox here - click here

 

[PEV]

Don't think it's the internet browser Ken as it's also now happening when I tried to download a Tomtom satnav update via my Sky email account.
Just to clarify wha'ts happening is that the page I attempt to open gives the little sign showing page is opening but it just doesn't open and when I try to back click and try again or close the page it just don't work
Ray

 

[KenB]

Hi Ray

Try deleting the cookies on your machine. One or more could be corrupt.
Take a look here - click here

Sites like ours - that use cookies to store your login information - will need your login name and password next time to try to access them.
It may be a good idea to check passwords before you delete the cookies.

 

[PEV]

Thanks Ken
I did a disc clean up and there were hundreds of windows update recordings which when removed helped speed things up but have had one episode since when my SkyYahoo email froze but I was able to start it again ok
Am away on holiday Sat for a week so will see how things go when I get back and if no better will try deleting all cookies as you suggest.
Thanks for your help again.
Ray

 

[KenB]

Enjoy your holiday Ray

 

[PEV]

Pages freezing more

Hi all.
I'm relating back to June last post on this subject was27th June when I was having problems with pages on IE and Yahoo/Sky email freezing. Ken B was helping me with this.
Well I've been away from my desk top and the problem is there still!
I tried deleting all cookies disk clean up, malware and AV check but no joy.
Can someone help me with this please - its becoming a pain!
Thanks
Ray

 

[PEV]

Still having the freezing problem guys!! Getting worse.
Hope someone can help with this am worried no one has seen this appeal"
Ray

 

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

As the other thread you started, relates to the same problem I've merged those posts into this thread.

 

[PEV]

Thanks Pete
Hoping for some help with this seems to be worsening!
Ray

 

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

Reset IE back to the defaults and see if this clears the problem.

• Close any Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer windows that are currently open.
• Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.
• Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
• Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, and InPrivate Filtering data.
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.
• When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
• Close Internet Explorer.
• Your changes will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.

Also, what version of IE are you running?
If you are not sure.... Open IE, click on the 'Gear Wheel' (top right hand ) then click on 'About Internet Explorer'
This will tell you what version you are running.

 

[PEV]

Hi Pete
I'm using IE 11.
Am I right in thinking my IE 11 may have corrupt file(s)?

Anyway before I follow your instructions let me tell you that when the screen froze again just now I managed to start Google Chrome from a desktop icon and although the original page remained frozen I was able to use Google Chrome to freely search and go to other pages with no problem although the original frozen page remained unusable and only went after turning off and re booting.
I'm thinking making Chrome my default SE would have same result as going back to IE11 defaults? If likely to be yes and I made Chrome the dfault SE would it be easy to revert to IE11 and set to defaults or even download a new clean IE11 version.
Will wait your advice before doing anything Pete.
Thanks
Ray

 

[PEV]

To add to my above reply Pete
if I set IE11 back to defaults will I lose the 50 or so Icons (links) I have on my desktop or will it remain same?
Ray

 

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

if I set IE11 back to defaults will I lose the 50 or so Icons (links) I have on my desktop or will it remain same?

This section:

Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, and InPrivate Filtering data.

refers to this pc:

If you don't put a tick against Delete personal settings you won't lose anything.

when the screen froze again just now I managed to start Google Chrome from a desktop icon and although the original page remained frozen I was able to use Google Chrome to freely search and go to other pages with no problem although the original frozen page remained unusable and only went after turning off and re booting.

I'm getting confused now Ray.
Did the screen freeze when using IE?
Did the same screen freeze when using Chrome?
If this is the case, the problems are not down to the browsers but are down to the site that you was on.
IE and Chrome wouldn't have both froze on the same site.

or even download a new clean IE11 version.

IE 11 is integrated into Win8, so it can't be uninstalled in the normal way.
But there is a way to force a reinstall:

• Press the Windows key + S. (to fetch up the search box)
• In the search box you opened type: Windows features
• Left click on Turn Windows features on or off
• Uncheck the box next to Internet Explorer 11 presented in the window you opened.
• Left click on the OK button presented in the lower side of the screen.
• Reboot the Windows 8 PC to finish the uninstall.

Once the system has rebooted, run through the above procedure again........
Only this time place a tick in the box next to “Internet Explorer 11” and reboot the Windows 8 PC, this way it will automatically re install Internet Explorer 11 in your system.

 

[PEV]

Hi Pete
'Your text
I'm getting confused now Ray.
Did the screen freeze when using IE?
Did the same screen freeze when using Chrome?
If this is the case, the problems are not down to the browsers but are down to the site that you was on.
IE and Chrome wouldn't have both froze on the same site.'

The screen has frozen many times when using a web page and also when using my email account Sky Yahoo.
However if I use Chrome or Firefox as browser and either going to websites via desktop icons or through 'search the freezing hasn't happened up to now.

Hope this helps
Ray

 

[Starbuck]

However if I use Chrome or Firefox as browser and either going to websites via desktop icons or through 'search the freezing hasn't happened up to now.

So this means that it's just an IE problem then.
This leaves you with 2 choices then:

• Try the IE reset instructions..... then the uninstall/reinstall instructions if reset didn't help.
• Just use Chrome or Firefox as your default browser.

 

[PEV]

Thanks Pete yes thought you'd say that!
One more (hopefully one) question.
I will keep using Chrome for a while to be sure the problem is being avoided then use Chrome as my default browser.
However if at any time I want to go back to IE11 or whatever version is appropriate in the future is it easy to revert back?
Ray

 

[Starbuck]

However if at any time I want to go back to IE11 or whatever version is appropriate in the future is it easy to revert back?

It's very easy Ray.
This 40 second video shows you how..... (yes that's how long it takes lol )

 

[PEV]

Thanks Pete
That's great.
The b.........in free PC help page just froze again but ,think I wasn't on Chrome anyway its working now!
Wish me luck!

 

[Starbuck]

For what it's worth Ray .....
Even if you decide to make Chrome your default browser, I'd still try the reset for IE and if that didn't help..... follow the uninstall/reinstall option.
You may as well try and get IE to play nice.
If it still doesn't work after that.... you have at least tried everything and still have Chrome and Firefox to fall back on.
So you can't lose.