Can only open 1 website at a time

[tango514]

I got a new computer a couple months ago – HP A6300 with Windows Vista Home Premium.  Problem:  I can only have one website open at a time.  It lets me keep MS Word open, but when I open one website then minimize and open another, the second website overrides the other (the first site closes), then I have to go back and open the previous site because I need to access some information.  On other computers I’ve always been able to keep several websites open at a time.  How can I remedy this?

[Broni]

If you're using IE7, right click on a link, and click on either "Open in a new tab", or "Open in a new window".

[tango514]

Tried, but that didn't solve the problem.  When I opened second site, it overrides the first.  I got a message "Close all tabs?" and I had to say yes or it wouldn't close.

[Broni]

When you right click on a link, can you see this:


[recovering space - attachment deleted by admin]

[tango514]

Hi,    Not sure I understand "right clicking on a link".   I know how to do it, but when I open websites, I either click on desktop icon or type in web address.  I don't go to my favorite sites via links.

[Broni]

Now, I'm lost, because I'm not sure, what you're doing.
You're in Internet Explorer, and some web page is displayed, right? You want to click on some link to open it in separate tab, or window, right?
Or, I'm wrong....

[tango514]

  Maybe my first post wasn’t clear about the problem.  I turn on computer and click on a desktop icon to open Site #1.  I look at  it, but now I want to open Site #2 – but I don’t want to close Site #1 (Yahoo mail) because I’m expecting an e-mail.  So I minimize Site #1.  Then I want to go to check the news so I go to abcnews.com (Site  #2).  As soon as I do that, Site #1 closes, and Site #2 overrides it.  So Now I’ve checked the news and I want to go back to Site #1, but it’s gone, it’s not at the bottom bar, so I have to sign in again and open.  And so on.  This has nothing to do with links posted within a site.  Hope this clarifies things.

[Broni]

Yes, it does, but it won't work that way.
You're using pretty strange way to navigate through the internet. Why would you go back, and forth between IE, and desktop, since you can do everything just from Internet Explorer window?

[tango514]

Why would you go back, and forth between IE, and desktop, since you can do everything just from Internet Explorer window?

Why am I using desktop icons?  So I don't have to type in and keep track of web addresses everytime I want to go to a site.  I'm open to any suggestions to make things easier, but I want to keep several sites open/minimized at once.  I've never had this problem unti I started using my new computer.  I'm not sure I know what you mean by IE Window.

[patio]

Why would you go back, and forth between IE, and desktop, since you can do everything just from Internet Explorer window?

Why am I using desktop icons?  So I don't have to type in and keep track of web addresses everytime I want to go to a site.  I'm open to any suggestions to make things easier, but I want to keep several sites open/minimized at once.  I've never had this problem unti I started using my new computer.  I'm not sure I know what you mean by IE Window.

Below is a capture of my FireFox window...each of those icons is a webpage inside the browser window.
No need to go to the Desktop to clik a shortcut to a site...

[Broni]

Links from the desktop will always open in a same window. Why not to use Favorites, or better, yet, Firefox, where you can have Bookmarks Toolbar, which will display all your frequently used web pages, and you need just one click to open them?
This is from my Firefox:

[Broni]

Following me again?...LOL

[patio]

Actually no....i was one step ahead of you.
 

[tango514]

Nope.  I'm lost.
When I turn on my computer and it's ready to go, my desktop looks nothing like that - not even close to that.  How do I get IE Window or anything else that allows me to go to my favirite sites, and more importantly, how can I keep several sites open at the same time?

[Broni]

Patio's, and mine screenshots are from Firefox, not Desktop.

[Broni]

i was one step ahead of you

You know well, that I'm a slow typist, and you shouldn't be taking advantage if this...hehehe

[patio]

You're a slow cut and pastist as well...


 

[tango514]

So I need to go to Firefox?  How?  Then what?
And how do I get IE Window?

[Broni]

pastist?
Must be some new English....LOL
Even Webster doesn't list it...hehehe

[Broni]

tango514
Get Firefox here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

[tango514]

ok, what will happen & what's the advantage?  On any other computer (office, friend, library) I've never had this problem and I've never heard about Firefox.  Why can't I keep several sites open at same time?

[Broni]

You'll have the options seen in previous screenshots...no need to juggle between browser, and desktop

[tango514]

Will I be able to keep several sites open at the same time?  The problem is that every time I open a site the previous one closes.  Will Firefox change my desktop completely?

Also, when I click on Internet Explorer I get a page called "My AOL" like that's my homepage , and at right it says HP -and I don't eveh have AOL.  I have a list of favorites, but again, I can only keep one web site open at a time.  When I open another, the previous one closes.  At bottom there should be several minimized wondows with websites that I want to keep poen.

[Broni]

Yes, and they'll be displayed nicely in tabs:


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[tango514]

What will happen to desktop appearance and all the programs displayed?

[Broni]

Nothing...will stay the same. Firefox will open in its own window, like any other program.

[soybean]

Hi,    Not sure I understand "right clicking on a link".   I know how to do it, ...

You've contradicted yourself here.  This is simple, just hover your mouse pointer over a link, right click your mouse, and select from the menu, as shown in the image Broni posted. 

... but when I open websites, I either click on desktop icon or type in web address.  I don't go to my favorite sites via links.

Why not?  That's a basic technique all Internet users should know, and use. 

[tango514]

Soybean, I don’t see where I’ve contradicted myself.  I know what a link is, I’ve used the Internet for over 10 yrs. I can’t address what basic things people should know, or my opinion about it – that’s not the issue here. I know how to hover over a link that someone has posted and how to click and go there.  I even know how to send links. But -  That has nothing to do with what my problem is or with what I’m asking.

btw -Your tone is coming across as quite condescending.

No one has yet addressed my basic question (see my first few posts) – which is why can’t I keep several web sites open at the same time?

I don’t know how your screen is set up, but, for example if you use MS Word and minimize, the program stays open at the bottom of the screen.  What I want to do is what I’ve been able to on every computer except this one – open websites, minimize and KEEP them open, and open other sites – keeping them all open.  Thus, they would show at the bottom, and I would simply click on the site I want to go back to.  The problem – as Stated many times previously – is that when I open a sit, the previous site closes, and I don’t want it to close.

[Broni]

No one has address my basic question (see my first few posts) – which is why can’t I keep several web sites open at the same time?

I answered your question twice. You can't do this, using Desktop shortcuts, but you can do this from within Internet Explorer by using Favorites, or by using Firefox.
I'm sorry, but I can't provide a fix for impossible.

[soybean]

I know how to hover over a link that someone has posted and how to click and go there.  You're right, it is simple - I do it all that time. 

That's not what we said. Right click on the link, not left click. <hint>  Right click means use the right button on your mouse.

Give this a try.  Open IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, and click on the Reset button at bottom to reset all IE settings to default. 

[tango514]

First, I want to say I appreciate any and all efforts to help.  But the issue isn’t my lack of skill at navigating the internet.

Broni, I can’t do this using Internet Explorer favorites.  That’s part of the problem.  I actually use IE explorer frequently, and it doesn’t matter.  I can still only have one website open at a time.  When I aim using Internet Explorer, I click on favorites, open a site, minimize so that the site shows at the bottom of the screen, click another site, and the first site I opened disappears – never to be seen again.  So if/when I want to go back to Site #1 (and I usually do) I have to open it all over again.  When someone sits and uses my computer (here at home) they have the same problem

As I said, I never have this problem on other computers (office, friend’s computer, library, etc.)  On those, I can have 2, 4, 6, even 10 sites open at the same time, whether I use IE explorer or not.

Soybean – I know my left from my right.  It doesn’t matter whether I left or right click.  I’ve tried what you said many times – even before I came to this site. Repeat:  (hint: repeat means I’m saying it again):  The problem is that I’m only allowed to keep one site open at a time.

[Broni]

Why do you minimize IE after opening first page? How can you see next favorite, when IE is minimized?

[tango514]

Why do you minimize IE after opening first page? How can you see next favorite, when IE is minimized?

I don't.  What I minimize is the actual website I'm using (as opposed to closing it).

[Broni]

I click on favorites, open a site, minimize so that the site shows at the bottom of the screen

[neljan]

Hello Tango

It does seem that you are using the internet in a puzzling way... it would be much much easier using tabs.

Are you familiar with Internet explorers tabbed browsing feature? here's a beginners tour:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/ie7/tour/tabs/

Check to see if you have 'tabbed browsing' enabled. To do this, open internet explorer & click on 'Tools' at the top. Select 'internet options' & under the general tab (at top) you will see 'tabs' below. Click on the settings button & in the next box make sure 'enable tabbed browsing' is ticked.

Close IE then re-open it, at the top to the right of the current open website, you will see this:



click where the arrow is & it will open a new page beside the existing one, without having to minimize/exit IE.

(note: all clicking is left button )

[Broni]

It's all your, neljan, my savior....hehehe

[neljan]

I don't mind taking the less challenging ones off you mate (no disprespect to Tango514)

Anyway, it gives you lot time to help those with more complicated issues... so run along now... 

[Broni]

...and it'll keep you from posting more nagging Firefox questions...hehehe

[tango514]

I know how to hover over a link that someone has posted and how to click and go there.  You're right, it is simple - I do it all that time. 

That's not what we said. Right click on the link, not left click. <hint>  Right click means use the right button on your mouse.

Give this a try.  Open IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, and click on the Reset button at bottom to reset all IE settings to default. 

When I open IE. and click on Tools (right or left – tried both with same result both times) on Tools, these are the options I get:

Menu bar
Links
Status
Lock toolbars
Use large icons
Customize command bar

There are no “Internet Options”, etc.

[neljan]

Ok, let's go the other way:

Click on start then control panel. In control panel, click on 'network & internet connections'. In 'network & internet connections' click on 'internet options'.

Follow the instructions in my previous post:

In 'internet options' & under the general tab (at top) you will see 'tabs' below. Click on the settings button & in the next box make sure 'enable tabbed browsing' is ticked.

Close IE then re-open it, at the top to the right of the current open website, you will see this:



click where the arrow is & it will open a new page beside the existing one, without having to minimize/exit IE.

(note: all clicking is left button )

[neljan]

...and it'll keep you from posting more nagging Firefox questions...hehehe

You miss them don't you... I can tell. I will try to find something wrong again soon & annoy you accordingly!

[Broni]

tango514
The options, you're talking about come up, when you right click on any EMPTY space on any toolbar:


To see Internet Options, you need to click on TOOLS menu:

[Broni]

In any case, with IE open, let's say, you have one web page opened.
Now, if you click on Favorities star icon (see my screenshot) (don't use Favorities menu option at the top, because it doesn't work that way), then right click on favorite web site, it'll give you an option to open it in a new tab. Now you'll have TWO different web pages open at the same time:



...and with Firefox, it's much, much easier, right neljan?

[neljan]

lol indeed sir

Although I used custom buttons in IE which is a total pain to set up in comparison to FF's drag to the shortcut bar feature.

[tango514]

broni and netjan, those are not the options I get.

I know what you're trying to instruct me to do - I've done it with no problem on other computers for years.  I am home now and using my new computer, as explained in original post.  I don't get any such menu when clicking on IE and Tools.  Nothing even close to that.

Also, as mentioned before, when I open IE I get a page "My AOL" and I don't even have AOL.  I get no menu and no menu options.

I am so totally lost.

[neljan]

Tango, did you try the control panel way?

[Broni]

OK. I can see one option only. You install free version of ScreenHunter: http://wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm, and you provide us with a screenshot of what you have there.

[tango514]

Broni, et all:  I’m going to bed now, almost afraid to do anything.  But tomorrow a very computer savvy friend is coming over.  I’m going to have him read ALL of this thread, and we’ll take it from there.

Later.   I’ll be back.  Not giving up yet.

[Broni]

Ask him to post that screenshot for us....night

[tango514]

 

OK, I’m back.  We fixed it.  Went into IE, Internet options, Tabs, Tabbed browser settings.  Clicked “open links from another program in a new window”, then clicked OK.   Now I can keep several programs and sites open simultaneously.

Note:  I’ve used the Internet Options window before, but I had been going there via the Control Panel.   I missed a post last night where Netjan had asked me about that.

Computer friend was in a hurry so we didn’t do the screen picture.  But, he said I should have no problem with doing that, so later I’m gonna try.  It’s just another good thing to know.  My computer, printer, etc. are just 6 wks old and even though I’ve been using computers and the Internet for a long time, I’m still a little afraid to mess something up.  I bought a 22” flat screen monitor – a real beauty.  I also have a visual impairment, and when Computer friend set my equipment up we made some adjustments to make things easier for me to see.

Anyway, thanks everyone.  Sorry if I sounded frustrated; sometimes online communications come across differently than one intends them to.  I’ll keep this board in my favs and come again when I need help OR just to read threads and learn things, and earlier today I recommend this site to a friend.  The tenacity of the experts is impressive. heh heh 

Have a good day.

[Broni]

I'm glad, your problem got fixed 

[neljan]

Anyway, thanks everyone.  Sorry if I sounded frustrated; sometimes online communications come across differently than one intends them to.

Your welcome, all the best.