IE 8 - Running Slowly

IE 8 is running slowly on one of home computers. It is running fine on other networked computers so it has nothing to do with my connection.

I checked microsoft's support site; they suggested checking for add-ons that have a long load time - they said .2 sec or more could be a problem. Sure enough, I noticed that an add-on related to norton internet security had a .5 sec load time; I disabled it and performance is back to normal.

This shows my ignorance of how add-ons work. I would have thought an add-on gets loaded only once when IE 8 is started. Apparently that's not the case because this Norton add-on is a continuing drag on IE 8's performance.

Can anyone explain that to me? Does the add-in get loaded over and over again? What does it mean for it to be "loaded"?

Thanks,
Len

 

Hi Len,

I'm not posting to answer, rather, suggesting a blog to mind - http://blogs.msdn.com/ieinternals/archive/2009/07/20/IE8-Performance-and-Speed-Tips.aspx

 

I can't seem to access your link - this is what I am getting...

403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.

 

Now it's working

 

Depends what the role of the add-on is. If this Norton add-on is some form of site scanner, checking the content ... then every new site/page is triggering it to perform - accessing the net, dragging your connection/resources, as a seperate application.

What add-on is it? Might be worth using IE's own phishing protection/disable toolbars and extensions to prevent any junkware - in Privacy tab. You could use Dr.Webs links scanner for risky sites/emails/links.

I had a similar problem with a Firefox add-on. I tried a fancy browser theme changer, but it was taking about 5 secs for the browser to start up everytime.

Tally Ho!

 

Hi,

Try ToolbarCop v3.4: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm

... and HijackThis v1.99.1: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/HijackThis-Download-5034.html

And post the results, please.


PROROOTECT

 

This edition, numerous sightings included, uncovers a'lil of what goes on behind the scenes. Geek-geek zoom-zoom!

 

Thanks everyone - lots of good information. I am traveling for several days and don't have access to the problem machine.

Keyboard Commando, as I recall, the add-on that was the primary problem was "Norton confidentiality". The norton toolbar might alsobe a problem. I'm not sure what functionality I lose when I disable the confidentiality add-on, but I'll figure it out.

I think I should ditch this whole norton internet security thing - big and bloated, and has given me other problems in the past. I need to think about that too.

 

Hi Len,

This is Mike from the Norton Authorized Support Team.

Which version of Norton Internet Security are you running?

If you are using a pre-2009 version of Norton Internet Security, as long as you have a valid subscription, you are entitled to a free update to the 2009 version for the life of your subscription. The 2009 version is fully compatible with Internet Explorer 8 and it is very light on system resource usage and installs in 1-2 minutes. It also contains many new and enhanced features to keep your computer protected against the latest threats

If you need to update, please visit the Norton Update Center at the link below. Please NOTE, while this process will update you to the latest version, it will not extend your subscription.

Norton update Center

If you are already using the 2009 version, manually run LiveUpdate, and then reboot if any updates are installed. Run LiveUpdate again, until it informs you that there are no more updates available. The latest version of Norton Internet Security is "16.7.2". Make sure your version is the same for full compatibility.


Thank you,
Mike

 

Michael -

It was Norton 2008. Thank you for suggestion to update, but Norton has just been a headache for me from time to time.

I've uninstalled it and moved on. A simple anti-virus and microsoft defender are all I need - just don't need all those other "features".

 

Outdated, latest version is 2.0.2

Bad advice. Beside JRViejo's remark it will be against board's Policy, it is also not a good idea that untrained, non qualified people analyse (HJT) logs.

<S>

 

I'm not sure how you define trained or qualified, but the assistance I've received on this Board from JRViejo and others in the past has ALWAYS been helpful and informative.

 

JRViejo, txs for clarifying, my reply was intended exactly the way as described by you.

<S>

 

See if this works:

Open a command prompt window and type

regsvr32 actxprxy.dll

In Vista right click the cmd.exe shortcut and run as administrator.

Good Luck.