Microsoft Internet Explorer 2

Why am I unable to view a web page's source code?

Issue

Why am I unable to view a web page's source code?

Answers

Every web page on the Internet should allow you to view the source code; there is no program or script that can disable this feature in the browser. However, users using Microsoft Internet Explorer may encounter an issue where the option to view a web page's source code is grayed out. This issue can be caused by any of the below reasons.

Too many files in the Internet Cache

Make sure your Internet Cache and History is cleared out. Having too much information in the cache or corrupt files could cause various issues to occur in Internet Explorer.

Low system resources

Low system resources can cause this issue. Close any programs that you are not using, including Internet Explorer and then re-open Internet Explorer and you should be able to view the source.

How to delete AutoComplete history.

Question

How to delete AutoComplete history.

Answer

Note: This document is for users looking to delete the stored Autocomplete data such as user name, password, web address, search bars, and other data form fields. See theclearing the address bar history if you want to clear the Autocomplete information in the address bar.

How to change my browser's home page.

Question

How to change my browser's home page.

Answer

To change your Internet browser's default home page to an alternate page you visit more frequently follow the below steps.

Internet Explorer users
Mozilla Firefox users
Chrome users
Opera users
Netscape users

• My web browser or home page has been hijacked.

Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click the Tools menu and Internet Options
3. In the general tab, type the URL of the web pagethat you want to be your home page or if you are currently on the page you wish to be set as your home page, click the Use Current button.
4. Click Ok.
5. The next time you open your browser it should open the page you entered.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox
2. Click the Tools menu and Options
3. Under General and Home Page, type the URL of theweb page you want to be your home page.
4. Click Ok.
5. The next time you open your browser it should open the page you entered.

Opera

1. Open Opera
2. Click the File menu and Preferences
3. Select Start with home page and type the URL of theweb page you want to be your home page.
4. Click Ok.
5. The next time you open your browser it should open the page you entered.

Netscape

1. Open Mozilla / Netscape
2. Click the Edit menu and Preferences
3. Type the URL of the web page you want to be your home page in the Hope Page location field.
4. Click Ok.
5. The next time you open your browser it should open the page you entered.

My web browser has been hijacked.

Question

My web browser has been hijacked.

Additional information

Spyware, adware, malware, and other Trojans are becoming an ever-growing threat to users who browse the Internet or install free programs. However, many computer users do not realize when these programs are secretly installed on a computer or realize when their system or browsers settings are changed. Below is a listing of potential symptoms a user may encounter when theirbrowser or computer has been hijacked.

• Default home page changes to a different page; commonly an adult oriented web page.
• Computer slows down.
• New tools in the browser such as a new search toolbar is installed or added to the browser.
• Default search engine or other settings changed.

Answer

Unfortunately, many of the software programs designed to hijack a computer's browser are intentionally designed to be difficult to remove or detect. Below are recommendations on how these programs can be prevented and removed.

Free programs

When installing free programs such as KaZaA, read the disclaimers and watch for additional programs that are being installed. Many times these programs are supported by automatically installing spyware programs.

If you no longer use these programs on a regular basis, uninstalling these programs will (but not always) also uninstall any associated software that is included with them.

Add/Remove programs

If you are running Microsoft Windows and you have noticed a program that you do not wish to use or want uninstalled, see if the program can be removed through Add/Remove programs in the Control panel.

All of the legitimate companies that install toolbars onto your computer should be able to be removed through the Add/Remove programs icon in the control panel. Some examples include the Alexa Toolbar, Google Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar, and Windows Live Toolbar.

If the spyware program you're attempting to uninstall cannot be uninstalled or gets reinstalled when you reboot the computer. Boot the computer into Safe Mode and then uninstall the program while in Safe Mode.

Restore browser settings

Some web pages and programs are designed to automatically change your browser's settings. For example, a web page or program may automatically change your default home page to an alternate home page. These issues can be corrected by following the below steps.

1. Close all browser windows so that only one window is open.
2. Visit an alternate safe site such as Computer Hope or Google.
3. Correct the settings changed, such as changing your home page back to your original home page. Additional help and information about changing your browser's settings can be found on our browser help pages.
4. Once the settings have been changed and applied, close out of the browser window.
5. The next time the browser is opened it should have the correct settings. However, if the site that changed your browser settings is visited again, it is likely that the settings will be changed again. This issue can be prevented with many of the spyware / adware programs that are available today.

Spyware / Adware / Malware detection and removal programs

Because of the ever-growing threat of these programs, many companies have developed programs that help prevent, detect, and remove these infections. Below is a listing of a few of the programs you may wish to consider.

• Malwarebytes
• Microsoft's Windows Defender
• Ad-aware from Lavasoft
• Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software
• Spybot Search and Destroy
• SpywareBlaster from Javacool Software
• HijackThis by Merijn.

A computer can have any number of spyware programs installed at the same time and it's recommended that you have more than one to ensure your computer is not infected. When running these programs if the spyware returns after rebooting the computer boot the computer into Safe Mode and run the spyware programs while in Safe Mode.

Microsoft Windows XP users

If you are running Microsoft Windows XP, updating to the latest Service Pack will help protect your computer against spyware.

Try alternative browser

Because Microsoft Internet Explorer is the most widely used browser today and because of its vulnerabilities, switching to an alternative browser such as Mozilla Firefox can significantly reduce the amount of spyware you get on your computer. 

System Restore

Users who are running Microsoft Windows XP and are not able to remove a program that has hijacked their computer or browser may also wish to consider running the Microsoft System Restore and restore the computer to an earlier date.

Microsoft Windows status bar continues to be disabled.

Question

Microsoft Windows status bar continues to be disabled.

Answer

Following the below steps should resolve issues relating to the status bar becoming disabled in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Windows Explorer.

1. Close all Windows Explorer windows and but one Internet Explorer Window.
2. In Internet Explorer, click the View menu and make sure that the status bar is selected.
3. Click View, Toolbars, and select Lock the Toolbars.
4. Hold down the Ctrl key and close out of the Internet Explorer window while holding the key down.
5. Open the Windows Explorer window.
6. In Windows Explorer, click the View menu and make sure that the status bar is selected.
7. Click View, Toolbars, and select Lock the Toolbars.
8. Click Tools, Folder Options, click the View Tab, and click theApply to All Folders button.
9. Hold down the Ctrl key and close out of the Windows Explorer window while holding the key down.

How disable or enable Internet Explorer's AutoComplete.

Question

How to disable or enable Internet Explorer's AutoComplete.

Answer

The Internet Explorer AutoComplete feature can be enabled and disabled by following the below steps.

1. Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click Tools and then Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Options window click the Contenttab.
4. Click the AutoComplete button.
5. Check or uncheck the options you wish have or not have AutoComplete. Below is a brief explanation of what each of the options are for.

• Web page addresses - AutoComplete for the address typed in the address bar.
• Forms - Enable a user to fill out fields that are commonly completed such as e-mail, address, phone number, etc.
• User names and passwords on forms - Any forms that are requiring usernames. This can be helpful for users who are frequently needing to enter their username and password. However, can also be a security risk if that computer is used or accessible by other users.

Internet Explorer homepage set as about:blank.

Question

Internet Explorer homepage set as about:blank.

Answer

This issue is caused by spyware or malware infecting the computer.

Enabling or disabling a program set as the default program.

Question

Enabling or disabling a program set as the default program.

Answer

There are several different software programs that perform the same function such as playing a sound file, viewing pictures, browsing the Internet, etc. Often these programs will fight with each other for rights to open the associated files on your computer. When this occurs you may notice that a different media player now plays your music for example.
Often this issue is caused after a new program that is capable of opening the same files is installed on the computer or a program is updated. This issue can often be avoided if the program being installed has options that can be checked or unchecked that allows the user to set the program as the default program or to leave the files associated as they are.
If you have already installed a program and wish to have it set as the default program try closing and re-opening the program, often it will ask if you wish to set it as the default program, sometimes a program may even do this without prompting you.
Below is also a list of how to manually set some of the more commonly used programs as the default application.

Apple QuickTime
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Mozilla Firefox
RealPlayer
Winamp
Other programs

Apple QuickTime

Follow the below steps to associate the audio, video, and other media files in Apple QuickTime.

1. Open Apple QuickTime by clicking Start, Programs, QuickTime, and then clicking on QuickTime Player. If QuickTime is not found it is not installed on your computer. See the QuickTime definition for a link to where to download and install this program.
2. Once open click Edit, Preferences, and then click QuickTime Preferences.
3. Click the down arrow next to About QuickTime, select File Type Association, and click the File Types button or tab.
4. Once in the File Association Settings window check or uncheck each of the file associations you want associated with QuickTime.

Note: If you have other media players installed you may need to enable or disable their association with the file type you enabled or disabled in Apple QuickTime.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

If you have another browser installed and wish to have Microsoft Internet Explorer check to make sure it is set as as the default browser each time you open it follow the below steps.

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click Tools, Internet Options, and click thePrograms tab
3. Check the "Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser" option. If you do not wish for Microsoft Internet Explorer as the default browser uncheck this option.

Note: If you have another Internet browsers installed you may need to disable their default browser options, otherwise the other browser will fight with Internet Explorer.

Microsoft Windows Media Player

Microsoft's Media Player is a program that associates the files it is capable of opening. If there is a certain file extension that you do not wish to have associated with Windows Media Player follow the below steps.

1. Open Windows Media Player by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, and then clicking Windows Media Player.
2. Once open click Tools and then Options. If you don't see the top menu click the down arrow in the top right corner of the window.
3. In the Options window click the File Types tab.
4. Check or uncheck each of the boxes you wish to have Windows Media Player associated with.

For example, if you do not want to use the Windows Media Player for your MP3 files uncheck MP3 audio file (mp3).

Note: If you have other media players installed you may need to enable or disable their association with the file type you enabled or disabled in Windows Media Player.

Mozilla Firefox

If you have installed Mozilla Firefox and wish for it to be the default browser you can follow the below steps.

1. Open Mozilla Firefox
2. Click Tools and then Options
3. Under the General section check or uncheck Firefox should check to see if it is the default browser when starting.  If you do not wish for Mozilla Firefox to check to make sure it is the default browser uncheck this option.

Note: If you have another Internet browsers installed you may need to disable their default browser options, otherwise the other browser will fight with Mozilla Firefox.

RealPlayer

RealPlayer is a media player that associates itself with audio and video files that it is capable of opening. If there is any file types you do or do not wish to be associated with RealPlayer follow the below steps.

1. Open RealPlayer by clicking Start, Programs, and RealPlayer. If RealPlayer is not installed see theRealPlayer page for a link to the download and additional information.
2. Click Tools and then Preferences
3. In the Preferences window click the + next toContent and select Media Types.
4. Select the "Manually configure media types for RealPlayer" and click the Select button.
5. Check or uncheck the programs you want associated with RealPlayer.

Winamp

Winamp is a media player that associates itself with audio and video files that it is capable of opening. If there is a certain file extension you do not wish to have associated with Winamp follow the below steps.

1. Open Winamp by clicking Start, Programs, Winamp, and then clicking Winamp. If Winamp is not found it is not installed on your computer. See the Winamp page for a link to the download.
2. Click Options and then Preferences
3. Under File Types highlight the programs you wish to be associated with Winamp. If you do not want Winamp to be associated with a particular file un-highlight each file type.

Note: If you have other media players installed you may need to enable or disable their association with the file type you enabled or disabled in Winamp.

Other programs

If the program you wish to enable or disable as the default program is not listed above you can commonly locate the option for this feature under Tools, Setup, or Options. If you want to disable the default program setting for a program you no longer use you can also uninstall the program.

How to clear saved Internet web page passwords.

Issue

How to clear saved Internet web page passwords.

Solution

Internet Explorer users

You can clear Internet Explorer saved web page passwords byclearing the AutoComplete passwords.

Mozilla Firefox users

To clear Mozilla Firefox passwords follow the below steps.

1. Open Firefox
2. Click Tools and then Options
3. Within the Options window click the Privacy button and click the Clear button on the "Saved  Passwords"

Opera users

To clear Opera saved passwords, also known as Wand passwords, follow the below steps.

1. Open Opera
2. Click File and then Preferences
3. Within the Preferences window click the Security option and then the Manage Wand passwordsbutton. Within the Server manager window you will be able to customize your saved passwords.

Why does my Internet back button sometimes not work?

Question

Why does my Internet back button sometimes not work?

Cause

This issue can be caused by any of the below causes.

1. A new window was opened.
2. A webpage automatically forwarded you to an alternate page.
3. Other script preventing you from going back.

Answer

A new window was opened

When browsing the Internet, some pages may open a link to a new window. When this occurs, all your previous search history will not move over to the new window. You can easily determine if this is the cause of your issue by looking at the color of your back button. If the back button is gray or nothighlighted, it's more than likely that you're in a new window. To get back to your previous window, close the browser window you're currently in. 

A webpage automatically forwarded you to an alternate page

Often, this issue is caused when the webpage you're visiting has automatically forwarded you to a different page or new page. When this occurs, if you press the back button, you're sent back to the page that re-directed you to the new page that forwards you back to where you just came from.

To resolve this issue, you can try one or more of the below solutions.

1. Press the back button two or more times quickly, this will almost always get you back to a previous page; however, this will also sometimes get you back too far.
2. Most new browsers have a small down arrow next to the back button (as shown below). Pressing this button will display the last few pages you have recently visited. Once this list is displayed, you can select the page you wish to go back to.

Other script preventing you from going back

There are scripts that can be used maliciously to prevent you from going back; when these pages are encountered, usually one of the above two recommendations will allow you to get back. However, if you find neither of these solutions allowing you to get back, we suggest you close all your browser windows and start over.

How do I view the source code of a web page?

Question

How do I view the source code of a web page?

Answer

All Internet browsers allow users to view the HTML or other source code of any of the web pages they visit. For example, a user can easily view the code used to generate this page by following the below examples. Below is a listing of some of the different major browsers and how to view the source code in each of those browsers.

Microsoft Internet Explorer users
Mozilla Firefox and Netscape users
Opera user

When viewing the source code of a web page it is important that you keep in mind that only information and code that is not processed by the server will be displayed in the source code. For example, almost all Internet search engines process information on the server and then display the results on a web page. This means you can view the code used to generate the results page but you cannot view the search engine's source code.
This rule applies to all server side scripts, SSI, and code. Therefore, features such as search engines, forums, polls, chat, etc. will not display their code, and copying the information from the source code will likely only cause errors or direct you back to page you copied the information from.

Microsoft Internet Explorer users

To view the source code of a web page in Microsoft Internet Explorer, follow the below steps.

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click View
3. From the drop-down-menu click "Source"

Once the above steps have been completed a new window will open displaying the source code.

Mozilla Firefox and Netscape users

To view the source code of a web page in Mozilla Firefox or Netscape, follow the below steps.

1. Open Mozilla Firefox or Netscape
2. Click View
3. From the drop-down-menu click "Page Source"

or

1. Press CTRL+U

Once the above steps have been completed a new window will open displaying the source code.

 In Firefox you can highlight the portion of a web page you want to view the source code of and then right-click that highlighted section and click View Selection Source.

 Use the Firebug add-on to not only view the source code of a page but change and view those changes live through the browser.

Opera users

To view the source code of a web page in Opera, follow the below steps.

1. Open Opera
2. Click View
3. From the drop-down-menu click "Source"

or

1. Press CTRL+F3

Once the above steps have been completed a new window will open displaying the source code.