IE7 major problems with script errors and blank pages

[hoots463]

Can anybody help?
I am having major problems with script errors in IE 7 - for example:
1. Many pages not displaying correctly (with "Error on page" on bottom left). Some pages completely blank - including (annoyingly) the 'windowsupdate' page (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ - completely blank)
2. No videos working (e.g. YouTube pages - text visible but no screen)
3. "Script error" dialogue box coming up whenever I try to print any web page, or search on a page, among other triggers: ["An error has occurred in the script on this page.(Line,Char,Error,Code & URL lines are all blank] Do you wish to continue running scripts on this page."] This box closes after between 40 & 50 clicks of ‘close’.

I've looked online for suggested solutions - e.g. the "How to troubleshoot script errors..." advice at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308260, tried all the suggestions on script debugging, active scripting, clearing temporary internet files etc.
Nothing makes any difference.
I can't do the suggested installing of latest updates or service packs, as I can't access 'windowsupdate' (blank page)

Problem seemed to start after I was having problems trying to install 'Nero 7 Essentials' after getting a new DVD drive. I turned off the ZoneAlarm firewall and Symantec antivirus to see if that allowed proper installation of the Nero. The scripting errors etc seemed to happen after this (though could be coincidental?)

I'm well beyond my understanding and ability to sort this out.

Any help very gratefully received!

Thanks

[KingPincer]

Try going to an earlier version of IE and see if the problem still persists.

[hoots463]

Do you mean installing Internet Explorer 6 and retrying?
In any case, I can't access any of the windows update sites - just get blank pages!

[Broni]

Did you try system restore?

[hoots463]

What does 'system restore' do, and how do I do it?

[Broni]

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, click on System Restore, and select some date prior to your problem occurence.
System Restore deals with system (Windows) files only, so your data is safe.

[2x3i5x]

Have you tried to reset internet explorer? Here's the instructions straight off Microsoft's website: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

Maybe you want to give this a shot before you head to the system restore. If this goes well and your IE7 gets fixed then you don't need to do the system restore. (Resetting Internet Explorer is supposed to fixing Internet Explorer when it's not functioning properly)

Else, I'd go ahead with the system restore as broni suggested.

[hoots463]

Thanks Broni & 2x3i5x

Re 'System restore' - the 'System Restore' window just comes up totally blank! So that doesn't seem to be an option. But does that tell us anything about the type of fault?

I'll have a go at resetting internet explorer and let you know how it goes on.

[Broni]

Do you mean blank system restore window, or no dates are listed?
Is this some recent problem?

[hoots463]

The whole 'System Restore' window is totally blank. Just the 'System Restore' title at top left on the blue bar, and the 'exit' cross at top right. Otherwise the whole window is blank.
Most other system tool windows seem to be OK.

Does that tell us anything?
Or is there any other way of doing a system restore?

Thanks for your continued interest!

[hoots463]

I've just reset Internet Explorer - but unfortunately the problem persists exactly the same as it was before....
Any other ideas? Is there another way of doing a system restore, avoiding my blank window?

[Broni]

Try here: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/srblank.htm

[hoots463]

Followed those instructions and ran the commands.
Problem persists exactly the same....

[Broni]

Try this: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/repairsr.htm

[hoots463]

Thanks again, but I can't seem to get this to work.
When I get to step 4, I can't locate the "SR.SYS" file under the %Windir%\ServicePackFiles folder. My installation disc is for SP2 (I must have upgrade to SP3 at some stage) so it doesn;t work from there. And it doesn't seem to work either from the c:\windows\servicepackfiles folder either.
I don't really understand what I'm doing with this anyway, and don;t want to wreck the system.....

[Broni]

Well, it looks like you have some serious system files problem.

Go Start>Run ("Start Search" in Vista), type in:
sfc /scannow
Click OK (hold CTRL, and SHIFT, hit Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy.
If System File Checker (sfc) will find any errors, it may ask you for the CD/DVD (rarely in Vista case).
If sfc won't find any errors in Windows XP, it'll simply quit, without any message.

[hoots463]

I've run the sfc / scannow command. took a long time to go through all the files, asking me several times to 'retry' the Windows CD, but always proceeding OK when I clicked 'retry'.
Finished eventually, and closed without any message as you said.

Unfortunately the problem is persisting - still many blank pages, no videos, blank 'system restore' window, 'script error' messages on 'User Accounts' page and whenever I try to print/search from a web page - everything as before.

Lots is still working, normal web-browsing, e-mail, other programmes etc.

Thanks for your continued interest, but where can I go from here?

[Broni]

Try Windows repair: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-Windows-XP-t138.html

[hoots463]

Just in case it's relevant, my Windows CD is Windows Professional with Service PAck 2 - version 2002. The system running on my PC is Service Pack 3, which I must have upgraded to on-line sometime since I originally installed the system. So the CD I have is not exactly the same system I'm running, although it all seemed to progress through the 'sfc / scannow' operation.

[Broni]

Try repair anyway.
If any problems, you may need to slipstream SP3 into the CD: http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm

[hoots463]

OK - making progress at last!
Did the repair - it's basically a reinstallation of XP from the original CD?
Some hiccups on the way - dialogue boxes coming up saying various files could not be found on the CD, even though I could see them there - had to cancel those files- 20 or so of them (I've got them recorded). Need to see over the next few days if that has any effect on the system. And initially Internet Explorer and Outlook Express weren't there.

But system now seems to be working OK. No script errors coming up, no blank pages yet, videos working. Can access System Restore tool.....

Presumably now just need to update Windows, including Service Pack 3 again (CD has installed original XP Pro with SP2). I'll let you know if there are any more problems.

But thanks very much for all your help, and sticking with it!

[Broni]

You're very welcome
Keep us updated.

[patio]

Good News indeed...
And if you plan on keeping XP for awhile i would take the time to follow Broni's link on slipstreaming SP3 into your XP CD.
It's a real time-saver once you've built it...