Recently I've had a lot of problems with my computer, but I've managed to fix most everything except now a new quirk has started and it's driving me batty.

Whenever I click on a hyperlink, nothing happens -- nada! I can't get links to work in my email, on this site (can't even use "My Assistant"), or any other site.

Any ideas on a fix?

I'm using IE 6.0 running Windows XP.

Thanks in advance for any ideas. I'm about ready to pull what little hair I have left out and that's definitely not a good thing. :cry:

Hi Pammy! :grins and waves:

Hmmm.... I'm definitely not an expert, but the thing that came straight to mind is that you've got some sort of security measure blocking that access. Have you checked your virus protection program to see if the security setting is running at a very high level? Sometimes mine updates itself and if yours does too than maybe it changed something while it was at it. I don't know if that's it, but it's worth a peek.

Thanks sweetie! I've missed talking with you. Thanks for trying to help, but I've really no idea how to change security. I have several anti spyware programs, a firewall (Windows) and AVG for anti virus. Not sure what to do with any of them as to this problem, but I tried.

I've gone thru all my security, and as far as I can tell nothing is different. I'm no expert though. I don't have that complicated a security system anyway.

I'm just confused as can be -- I changed some settings, lowering security on the IE Tools, Security area as far as I can tell, but no change. There is an occasional document that will allow me to click a link it in, but not often. I still can't use "My Assistant" here or use links posted (for example, in the VBBs) or links in my email. :cry:

The other problem I have noticed is that some pages won't print. I'm thinking I may have to do a complete erase and system recovery, but I'm not sure how to do that either so trying to get to the bottom of the problem without that severe a "fix."

I'll keep trying, but it's getting to be a real pain not being able to click links. :(

The thing that bugs me is that it was all working and then just stopped all of a sudden. Grrr computer! :bash:

Weird -- I was just on Yahoo and I can click on the links to news stories there so why can't I click on links within messages?! It appears to just be links that are within a message here or in my email. :blink:

I recommend (and do myself) a complete rebuild of my computer once a year. It seems to be the only reliable way to get rid of the crap that seems to magically appear on my ocmputer. I'm not sure what kind of computer you have but Dell makes it realy easy to do because everything you need will be on the system disk they send with the computer. Once you've reinstalled the drivers you will want to check for updates.

Just be prepared...be sure to get off everything you need (favorites, email, etc). Some applications will store stuff in My Documents while others will store it with the application. And be sure to make a list of all applications installed (or those that you want to install) and ensure you have the disks to reinstall them.

Yeah, I'm coming to that conclusion unfortunately. I have the disks -- just not completely comfortable that I know what I'm doing, but I've done it before so I know I can do it. It's just been so long that I've forgotten the steps.

If I disappear, you'll know why. :whistle: :lol:

ETA: I think I'll hold off until I do some googling to see what I'm supposed to do. I already made a list of all my apps and I don't have anything on the computer that would be a huge loss so no backup necessary. Just would hate to find myself without access if I screw up. :unsure: :o :bash: :P

If it's only email that wont click through links then there must be a setting in your email. Are you using Outlook Express/Outlook? Or is this email you use in your internet browser?
If it's the internet browser, but all other links work in IE for you, I would think it could be something on their end.

If it's outlook, try doing this:
http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/win...work_part_2.htm

Sounds like an overzealous security to me too. Have you gone into the advanced
settings for your firewall? Sounds like your definition of what's a trusted
site and what is not may have narrowed. Another thing to check if
you have it on your computer, are the parental controls.

Noumena, I have an e-machine too. I'm terrified of doing a rebuild. How do I know what to save and what not? Is there a book out there that will lead me safely through the procedure?
The last computer I did a rebuild on used DOS!

Have you tried some of the tests at pcpitstop.com to see if they have any suggestions? I know there are other such sites on the net too but that's the only one that comes to mind at the moment.

No, it's the links in my email and here and other forums. I don't use Outlook at all.

I'll give them a try. I'll do most anything to not have to completely erase my system -- the thought scares me. I'm afraid I'll totally screw it up and never get back online again. :cry:

I'm only using Windows Firewall and don't know how to change anything beyond what I've done already. :(

ETA: I don't use parental settings so that can't be it.

Windows firewall could be the issue...particularly if you just downloaded any of the recent updates. If it is a recent problem, you might try the rollback feature to a time where it was working. I downloaded some recent MS updates and had to rollback...so I haven't downloaded any updates recently because I haven't had time to sort through them.

Have you tried setting your IE settings back to default?

It sounds like your links might be trying to open in a new browser, and something is blocking "popups" (the links) from coming up. I've had that problem before and had to turn off my popup blocker on Firefox.

Thanks everyone -- I've tried all the suggestions, and it looks like nothing will work. I'm going to have to reformat so send good vibes for my success.

(((good vibes))) :) :flowers:

Pam - perhaps you should try uninstalling IE before a full reformat?

Like Lauren said...

I'm not sure if you're at IE6 or IE7, but Mike was having wanky problems with his computer, and after upgrading to IE7, all the problems went away. It obviously rewrote lots of parts of the registry and fixed files and all that good stuff so no more problems. Cuz we were considering doing a reformat on his too.

Of course if you're already at IE7, then this advice is null. But I just wanted to "me too" what Lauren said in case it is IE-related.

Thanks for the suggestions -- I was at IE 6, but didn't see the messages until I'd already reformatted. Right after I wrote my message here I crashed so badly that I just decided I had no alternative so I'm back and newly installed. Running IE 7 now and trying to get used to it. :P

That's a shame Pam :( . but glad you are back :)