Internet Explorer 8

[GrahamH]

Hi Selina,

Don't get involved with IT8. I had the most horrendous weekend with it after I foolishly downloaded it. I have XP. I couldn't get onto the internet except by chance. Forever switching the computer on and off until it deigned to come on so I daren't switch it off again.
On the Sunday I appealed to the wonderful rootschatters and many offered help, it was a wonderful person called Rena who sorted me out via system restore and literally turning back time. I was so grateful. My advice is KEEP AWAY FROM IT.
paslwigr

Obviously your computer has a problem that needs fixing, because IE8 works on tens of thousands of computers without a problem. Rolling back to a previous registry record may mask the problem, but it's not fixing it.   If my car had a terrible problem with the brakes, I could either take a look at what's causing it, or I could stop using the brakes, but I think the latter "solution" could be rather expensive in the long run ! 

IE8 has a couple of known "bugs" - one caused by an known interaction with a program that you no longer need with IE8, and the other one Microsoft are looking into.  However, these are isolated problems.  Tens of thousands of people are using IE8, including myself, and are enjoying the extra facilities that it provides.  What version of web browser you use is obviously your choice, but you shouldn't really advise other people not to try it, because they probably won't have problems with it.

I hear what you are saying Nick but I think a more appropriate motoring analogy would be a different brand of petrol/oil rather than brakes. The problem described did not manifest itself until IE8 was downloaded. Therefore, even if the condition is pre-existing, there is some difference between IE7 and IE8 which means that it causes a problem which it did not cause previously. Microsoft should have those differences documented and be able to publicise them so that people suffering problems can mount properly structured investigations.

As you say, there are known bugs in IE8. The solution is for Microsoft to fix those bugs. Microsoft should also widely publicise the causes whilst they are developing the fixes so that people can make informed decisions whether to download the software.

Graham

[Redroger]

On the wider subject of anti virus programs and firewalls, can any of the technically minded give their opinions on the quality of the virus scan and firewall provided by Virgin Media as part of their broadband packages?

[Nick29]

@GrahamH:  My reply wasn't actually aimed at you, because we have ascertained that this is a known problem (i.e. others have seen it), and Microsoft are looking into it.

@Redroger: What software does VM supply ?  Is it branded ?

Ahh, found it !  PCguard...... well, I've not come across it myself, but several reviewers on the PC Advisors Forum had trouble installing and uninstalling it.

Hard to find independent reviews..... one user here didn't rate it very highly. 

No malware or spyware inside, though. 

Mind you, I'm not sure I'd ever want to pay $250 for an AV program - see here !    I suppose it's the same ?

[tomkin]

  I am running IE8 with my windows XP and I'm not experiencing

  any major difficulties. If this was the only programme available

  I could see why people would get upset but there any now many

  alternatives. Find which ever suits you. It's like taking medicine,

  most people don't have a problem but some have a reaction.

  Tomkin.

P.S. When my computer was trashed by installing SP3 it took me ages

 (and eventually a full XP re-install ) to get it up and running. Some time

 later I contacted Microsoft and told them of my experiences. I was contacted by

them and an engineer phoned me on a regular basis . The bloke was fantastic and
couldn't do enough (even though I kept telling him that the problem was resolved)

 I ended up as a completely satisfied customer of microsoft especially when he sorted out a load of minor problems for me as "part of the service". I ended up

writing a letter of commendation about the bloke. (Now THAT is rare, for me.)

Tomkin
Tomkin

[tomkin]

 P.S.

      As you can see, I'm having a few problems typing more than

  a certain number of lines on Rootschat. Doesn't seem to happen on

 any thing else

    Am I bothered?    Naaaahhhh!!!!!!

  Tomkin.

   Just trying to finish this because the Cup final has started and Everton has

   scored in the first 40 seconds. Missed It

   Tomkin

[GrahamH]

@GrahamH:  My reply wasn't actually aimed at you, because we have ascertained that this is a known problem (i.e. others have seen it), and Microsoft are looking into it.

(snip)

No problem Nick, I realised that.

As regards the specific problem, I was actually referring to the one described by paslwigr.

As regards publisher (in this case Microsoft) responses/solutions my comments were general rather than being specific to any particular problem.

Graham

[tomkin]

 Just in case anybody has missed it,

 Tomkin.

 
Update for Internet Explorer 8 Compatibility View List for Windows XP (KB971180)
Download size: 500 KB , less than 1 minute
This Compatibility View List update helps make Web sites that are designed for older browsers look better in Internet Explorer 8. When users install Internet Explorer 8, they will be given a choice about opting-in to a list of sites that should be displayed in Compatibility View. After you install this item, you may have to restart Internet Explorer  Details...
Don't show this update again

[Nick29]

Not just look better.... some didn't work very well at all without it.   I noticed this morning that Ancestry have at last got their profile  editing boxes IE8 compatible 

[GrahamH]

Well, Microsoft phoned as they said they would and ..........................no further forward.

In my messages to the guy concerned I had included details of the testing I did on 24th May (13 points as listed in a posting on this thread). It became obvious, though, that he hadn't read my messages properly and was working from a script aimed at identifying problem with my machine rather than IE8.

Only when I asked him to refer to my message and led him through the steps I had taken did the penny start to drop that (because other browsers work correctly) the problem cause had already been isolated to IE8

He then put me on hold whilst he spoke to a colleague and came back about 8 or 10 minutes later (good job Microsoft were paying for the call) to say he would have to consult with senior colleagues and ring me back tomorrow.

We shall see what occurs; watch for tomorrow's thrilling instalment 

Graham