Excel Help Malfunctioning?

**Bryan Hessey** · 06-24-2007, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by wisgro

Thanks Bryan. Am I spoiled? Completely forgot DOS which was the OS when I started using computers. I completed the routine you sent and it didn't help. I have IE7. The browser displays a symptom that I thought could be indications of a browser hijacker: IE ignores my home page setting, goes to MS run once and displays a blank page with blue background. I ran Hijack This and CWShredder but uncovered nothing. Seems like an Excel file has blown a fuse.

sounds like a IE problem, you could try a remove and re-install of 7, or just check that you have the latest updates. Is IE 7 set to auto-update as required?

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**wisgro** · 06-25-2007, 08:18 PM

We have a saying around here when people ask directions: "You can't get there from here." I loaded IE and the blank page is displayed then "run once" is displayed in the URL window. I can't go anywhere. Can't even find the auto update settings. Tried the MS home page but IE froze up. Had to use Program Manager to shut it down. Opened Firefox but of course MS requires that IE5 or above is opened in order to download updates. Just discovered the problem is on my laptop and desktop: no excel help and IE won't run correctly. Is it safe to remove IE7 using Add/Remove Programs? I would like to avoid wrecking MS Office if possible and any other programs that rely on IE.
Walt

**Bryan Hessey** · 06-25-2007, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by wisgro

We have a saying around here when people ask directions: "You can't get there from here." I loaded IE and the blank page is displayed then "run once" is displayed in the URL window. I can't go anywhere. Can't even find the auto update settings. Tried the MS home page but IE froze up. Had to use Program Manager to shut it down. Opened Firefox but of course MS requires that IE5 or above is opened in order to download updates. Just discovered the problem is on my laptop and desktop: no excel help and IE won't run correctly. Is it safe to remove IE7 using Add/Remove Programs? I would like to avoid wrecking MS Office if possible and any other programs that rely on IE.
Walt

Normally I would say OK to remove any product by Add/Remove, but in your case probably 50-50, still, what have you got to lose?

Backup all data files and then try the Remove, perhaps locate your 'Complete Sytem Reload' cd first (just in case).

The appearance of the 'RunOnce' indicates that a registry setting erred during installation, the program wishes to run some option (of installation) that it cannot find.

Did the login that tried the Install (IE7) have sufficient login rights?
Is your C: fragmented / full ?
Have you run a 'cleanup' or deleted IE temporary files recently?

Any other clues?
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**wisgro** · 06-26-2007, 01:10 PM

I clean cache/temp files daily. The network between my laptop and desktop is set up properly. (I work from home.) My guess is that this is another in a never ending series of mysterious computer problems that won't make history, may never be resolved. I will explore the best way to remove IE7. (IE home page was no help with any of my questions.) I'm a research nut and will continue looking for an answer until I've exhausted possibilities. I plan to postpone any removal until then. Thanks very much for all of valuable your help.
Walt

**Bryan Hessey** · 06-26-2007, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by wisgro

I clean cache/temp files daily. The network between my laptop and desktop is set up properly. (I work from home.) My guess is that this is another in a never ending series of mysterious computer problems that won't make history, may never be resolved. I will explore the best way to remove IE7. (IE home page was no help with any of my questions.) I'm a research nut and will continue looking for an answer until I've exhausted possibilities. I plan to postpone any removal until then. Thanks very much for all of valuable your help.
Walt

is the clean cache/temp 'daily' done on bootup? if so it could be removing the 'RunOnce' item required when installing.

no other thoughts yet apart from that you could peek into the registry to see what 'RunOnce' is required.
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**wisgro** · 06-27-2007, 01:15 PM

No Bryan. I clean the cache manually. Thing is... if I type in a new URL IE freezes. I checked the MS knowledge base last night. It says if IE7 is uninstalled, IE6 is restored. Now I have to do deep breathing exercises to get ready to get ready. I hesitate because in my humble experience the only similarity between humans and computers is their resistance to change. I'll let you know what happens.
Walt

**harrywaldron** · 06-27-2007, 02:19 PM

Hi Walt -- I'd recommend waiting on the IE 7 removal, as IE 6 has several unpatched holes and if everything else on your system is fine, I'd hold off on moving back to IE 6 as a last resort.

In fact, I use Google searches (plus these nice forums) anytime I need help with Excel functions

As I follow security developments, there are some vulnerabilities and possibly even malware associated with malformed Excel help files (*.CHM extensions). Just to rule that out, you might try some of the online scanners out there.

One of my friends owns this portal, which is full of cleaning tools. You might try on Left side of web page the Online Scanner section. Then run one like Trend's House Call or Panda's Active Scan

http://www.virusintel.com/tiki-index.php