Curious Problem With Internet Explorer 7

[God's Trombone]

Yesterday I posted on another site and got a dialog saying
"IE has encountered a problem and must shut down."

There was a button to click to send an "error message to MS". I sent the error message but for about 24 hours I was given the same message that IE had to close down.
Another box came up saying that "Symantec Service framework" had encountered a problem and had to shut down.

Now, apparently the problem has gone away since I am able to get to this site.

Can anyone help me to understand what went on, and what to do if it happens again?

[ghetto guy]

Have you tried Firefox?
http://mozilla.com

[God's Trombone]

Have you tried Firefox?
http://mozilla.com

You mean I should possibly download a different browser?

[Pacman]

You mean I should possibly download a different browser?

If nothing else, it might help determine if the problem is with IE, or something else.

I say "might" because IE is bundled so tightly into Windows that it's actually running all the time anyway. That can make it difficult to isolate.

[God's Trombone]

I am a learner about all this. Can I have two browsers and choose which to use as I desire?

It would be neat to have an alternative when and if IE goes down again.

If nothing else, it might help determine if the problem is with IE, or something else.

I say "might" because IE is bundled so tightly into Windows that it's actually running all the time anyway. That can make it difficult to isolate.

[Hootmon]

I am a learner about all this. Can I have two browsers and choose which to use as I desire? That should work fine. Though IE 'going down' isnt exactly common.

[steve53]

Massive updates yesterday from Microsoft.

Many "critical".

Run "Microsoft Update" to make sure you have the latest everything.......

[Pacman]

Can I have two browsers and choose which to use as I desire?


Absolutely. You can have as many browsers as you like. As well as Firefox, there's also Opera and Google's new browser Chrome. They're all free downloads.

In general, most of the built in components that come with Windows (eg: Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger, Outlook) have a superior alternative that are freely available on the net. Replacing the Microsoft junk with free open source software is a good idea, since they're invariably more secure.

[ghetto guy]

If you get FF, then you can get Adblock Plus (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/downloads/file/30901/adblock_plus-0.7.5.5-fx+tb+sm.xpi) which makes 90% of adverts vanish.