Microsoft Internet Explorer

System Requirements Download and Update IE Configuration Information The Links bar Add a Toolbar to the Taskbar Security Settings Troubleshooting Printing Issues Repair Tool More Information

Microsoft Internet Explorer***

***Note:   This document is offered for informational support only. No active technical support or document revisions will be made after the date noted at the bottom of the document.

Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP

Note: Support of users who install to a custom directory location or otherwise deviate from these instructions may be limited. MOREnet documentation is written to support installation and configuration using default directories and layouts as described below. MOREnet Technical Support strongly recommends you follow these directions carefully and accurately.

Project CONNECT dial-up users are limited to a maximum connection time of 90 minutes per dial-up. It may take more than one session to complete a download of Internet Explorer. Verify that you receive the entire file; Internet Explorer will provide a percent downloaded graph, closing the window when the file completes downloading. The download session may be paused and restarted when a new Internet session is established.

Internet Explorer (IE) is the Web Browser offered by Microsoft. Find information about the basic features of Internet Explorer as well as common troubleshooting measures below.

System Requirements

• 486DX/66 MHz or higher processor with Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. When using Windows NT, Service Pack 6a or higher must be installed.
• Windows 95 users must use Internet Explorer 5.x.
• Computer with at least 16 MB RAM minimum, 32 MB minimum required for Windows Me and higher.
• At least 45 MB of space available on the hard drive for a minimal installation. For a full installation 111 MB of space is needed (80 MB after installation).
• Windows compatible modem (14,400 baud or faster) or network card.

Download and Update IE

Internet Explorer can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/. A setup program will download to the computer.

There is a choice of installing the components directly to the computer or downloading the individual files to the hard disk and installing them at a later time.

Update Internet Explorer:

To update individual components of IE, select Tools > Windows Update to direct the browser to a webpage that shows all the available updates for Internet Explorer. Select the updates to be installed.

Configuration Information

The information below addresses some of the common questions and configuration issues that people have with Internet Explorer.

To create desktop shortcuts to webpages:

• Select File > Send > Shortcut to Desktop.
• Right-click in the webpage, then select Create Shortcut.
• If the browser window is not maximized, the shortcut can be created by dragging a link from within a webpage to the desktop.

The Links bar

The Links bar is located near the Address bar, and can contain links to frequently used pages.

To add a link to the Links bar:

• Drag the icon for the page from the Address bar to the Links bar.
• Drag a link from a webpage to the Links bar.
• Drag a link to the Links folder in the Favorites list. The link can either be moved directly to the Favorites menu and then into the Links folder, or it can be moved to the Links folder when displaying the Favorites list.
• Go to the webpage to be added to the Links bar. Select Favorites > Add to Favorites > Create In > Links.

Links can be deleted from the Links bar by right-clicking the link and selecting Delete. If the Links bar does not appear, select View > Toolbar > Links.

Add a Toolbar to the Taskbar

Right-click the taskbar, select Toolbars > Customize. In the next window the icons can be added or subtracted.

Security Settings

To get the latest security updates for IE, see: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.asp.

The security settings of IE can be adjusted in Tools > Internet Options > Security tab. If a user has a problem getting to a certain site, the security setting in their Internet Explorer might be causing it. Make sure all appropriate items are selected to allow access to a site (click the Custom Setup button). Individual sites can be added in the Trusted Sites section. Sites can be restricted in the Restricted Sites section.

Lost Passwords

Numerous sites on the Web explain how to reset passwords that may disable Internet service. Microsoft's official position is not to provide information on how to reset forgotten passwords. http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q155/6/09.asp.

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Troubleshooting

The most common questions asked about IE can be found on Microsoft's website: http://support.microsoft.com/support/default.asp?PR=ie&FR=0&SD=GN&LN=EN-US.

Other problems include the following:

Temporary Internet/History Files

Many problems with Internet Explorer can be resolved by deleting the temporary Internet (cache) and history files. If the browser loads pages more slowly than usual or will not load pages at all it may be time to delete these files.

Delete Temporary Internet and History Files:

1. Select Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, delete the Temporary Internet Files or Clear History.

The number of temporary Internet files stored on the hard disk can be managed. In the same Internet Options control panel.

1. On the General tab, select Settings.
2. Move the slider to increase or decrease the percentage of disk space to use for Internet files.

Other common errors

All Images show up on the page, but I can't see any text at all.

Click on Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Colors. Make sure that none of the default colors are set to a common background color such as white.

I get a "Helper application not found" error.

In Windows Explorer, select View > Folder Options (or Options) > File Types tab. Make sure the correct directory and file name are entered for the helper application. If a helper application is not available, the file can be saved to the hard disk while the helper application is located.

Printing Issues

I can't get colored text to print out on darker backgrounds.

1. Select Tools > Internet Options.
2. Select Advanced tab > Print background colors and images check box and click OK.

Repair Tool

IE includes a repair tool, which can be used to diagnose and fix problems. This tool checks for out of date and corrupt files. It may also replace some shortcuts in the start menu that were deleted. Access this repair tool through the Add/Remove Programs control panel. Select Microsoft IE > Add/Remove. Select the option to repair the program and click OK.

More Information

More information can be found at the following links:

Microsoft Internet Explorer How-to Articles - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/default.asp

A step by step tutorial for IE 5.x - http://www.actden.com/IE5/
Most information contained in the above link will also apply to the latest version of Internet Explorer.