Change Proxy Settings/Internet Properties not available

[Arthur]

Clicking Internet Options doesn't do anything - that is the problem

Could you try this instead...

1. Hold down the Windows Key and press R once.
2. Copy-and-paste the following into the box...
   
   

   rundll32 inetcpl.cpl ResetIEtoDefaults

3. Click OK.

You should get this box appear...

[69liz]

Thank you Mac for your post but I'm afraid I didn't understand what to do. I opened up the registry as you suggested and followed the pathways. The settings are definitely different for the local machine and the current user. There was a mention of a proxy under current user but not under the local machine.
Does that help at all?

[mac_shinobi]

spybot search and destroy options --> WWW FAQs: Why can't I access Internet Options in Internet Explorer?

Possible option here --> Tweak of the week - Registry Explorer

You may be able to use TWEAK UI to adjust the relevant settings :

Tweak UI for Windows XP

Version 2.00 is for XP without any service packs and 2.10 is for SP 1 or later

Try what Arthur has suggested first, if not then look at the above few links

[69liz]

Thanks Arthur for your suggestion. I got an error message: There was a problem starting inetcpl.cpl inetcpl.cpl is not a valid Win32 application.

Any thoughts?

[mac_shinobi]

As per here : How-to: Reset IE browser settings | mynetx

Showing to run the fix it wizard from this ms kb : How to reset Internet Explorer settings

[69liz]

Thanks Mac - the first link didn't help me - there isn't a key called NoBrowserOptions in the registry under either Current User or Local Machine.

Re the Tweak of the week - this is an old instruction for Windows XP - is this ok for Windows 7? I don't have a subkey called Control Panel under Internet Explorer either - the instruction says - create it - if you recommend this, how do I create it?

[69liz]

As per here : How-to: Reset IE browser settings | mynetx

Showing to run the fix it wizard from this ms kb : How to reset Internet Explorer settings

Yes, done that already Mac but it didn't help.

[mac_shinobi]

Yes, done that already Mac but it didn't help.

1. the first ms kb I posted ( kb 2289942 ) was a different one to the 2nd one I posted ( kb 923737 ) above, so the fix it wizards will more then likely do different things

2. The first link ( WWW FAQs: Why can't I access Internet Options in Internet Explorer? ) I posted was more for the spybot search and destroy settings to make sure spybot search and destroy is not blocking you from opening up internet options

Unblocking Internet Options In Spybot Search & Destroy

If Spybot is blocking Internet Options, you'll need to temporarily turn off Spybot's protection against abuse of the the "Internet Options" control panel. Just follow these steps:1. Click on the "Start" menu
2. Click on "All Programs"
3. Click on the "Spybot - Search & Destroy" program group
4. Click on the "Spybot - Search & Destroy" program
5. When the main Spybot window appears, click the "Immunize" button in the toolbar at left
6. At the bottom of the window, you may see checkboxes named "lock IE start page setting against user changes" and "lock IE control panel against opening from within IE." If they are checked, uncheck them. This will enable you to use Internet Options.
If you don't see these options, then your version of Spybot Search & Destroy does not have this feature. See the next section.

[Arthur]

I don't have a subkey called Control Panel under Internet Explorer either

If the key isn't there, access to 'Internet Options' isn't being restricted by a policy so there isn't really any need to create it.

[Arthur]

I have uploaded a .reg file that will remove any proxy settings under HKCU/HKLM. All you need to do is double-click the .zip to open it, and then double-click the .reg file inside (click Yes to any prompts).

[69liz]

1. the first ms kb I posted ( kb 2289942 ) was a different one to the 2nd one I posted ( kb 923737 ) above, so the fix it wizards will more then likely do different things

2. The first link ( WWW FAQs: Why can't I access Internet Options in Internet Explorer? ) I posted was more for the spybot search and destroy settings to make sure spybot search and destroy is not blocking you from opening up internet options

Spybot S&D isn't on the machine. I'll try the second Fix it wizard then if it's different. Losing the will to live though on this one.

[mac_shinobi]

Spybot S&D isn't on the machine. I'll try the second Fix it wizard then if it's different. Losing the will to live though on this one.

Go through Arthurs zip file - will be easier. If it is still the same after all this then I would say backup data / re image and start fresh. If possible save chipset / network card and video / graphics drivers onto a memory stick so you can at least run those on the netbook / laptop to allow you to re connect and update the remainder of drivers ie audio etc

[69liz]

1. the first ms kb I posted ( kb 2289942 ) was a different one to the 2nd one I posted ( kb 923737 ) above, so the fix it wizards will more then likely do different things

I got the same error message as before:
There was a problem starting inetcpl.cpl inetcpl.cpl is not a valid Win32 application.

[Arthur]

1. the first ms kb I posted (KB2289942) was a different one to the 2nd one I posted (KB923737) above, so the fix it wizards will more then likely do different things

The FixIt from KB923737 does exactly the same thing as post #31. I extracted the VBScript from the MSI to double-check. This explains why the error message is the same.

[69liz]

I have uploaded a .reg file that will remove any proxy settings under HKCU/HKLM. All you need to do is double-click the .zip to open it, and then double-click the .reg file inside (click Yes to any prompts).

Thanks Arthur. This hasn't worked either so now I am trying to find out how to do a factory reset on it.