How to Fix Internet Explorer Not Working on Windows XP After Repair Installation

If you’ve recently performed a repair installation of Windows XP and are now experiencing issues with Internet Explorer, you’re not alone. Many users have reported problems with IE after a repair installation, particularly if a later version of the browser was installed prior to the repair. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step instructions on how to resolve it.

Why Internet Explorer Stops Working After a Windows XP Repair Installation

When you perform a repair installation of Windows XP, the process is designed to restore the operating system to its original state. However, if you had a later version of Internet Explorer installed before the repair, the repair installation does not restore the earlier version of the files in the Program Files\Internet Explorer folder. As a result, the later version files for Internet Explorer become incompatible with the Internet Explorer 6 files that are installed in the Windows\System32 folder during the repair process.

This incompatibility causes Internet Explorer to stop working properly after the repair installation is completed. The browser may fail to launch, display error messages, or exhibit other strange behavior.

Uninstalling the Later Version of Internet Explorer

To resolve the issue and get Internet Explorer working again, you need to uninstall the later version of the browser before performing the repair installation. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click Start, then click Run.
2. Type appwiz.cpl in the Open box and press Enter.
3. In the Currently installed programs list, locate and select Windows Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Internet Explorer 8.
4. Click Remove to uninstall the selected version of Internet Explorer.

If Internet Explorer is not listed in the Currently installed programs list, you can uninstall it using the Recovery Console. Here’s how:

1. Restart your computer and boot into the Recovery Console.
2. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
   • For Windows Internet Explorer 8: CD ie8\spuninst batch Spuninst.txt
   • For Windows Internet Explorer 7: CD ie7\spuninst batch Spuninst.txt

After uninstalling the later version of Internet Explorer, you can proceed with the repair installation of Windows XP.

Reinstalling Internet Explorer 6

Once the repair installation is complete, you’ll need to reinstall Internet Explorer 6. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP installation CD or DVD.
2. Click Start, then click Run.
3. Type D:\i386\ie6\ie6setup.exe (replace D: with the appropriate drive letter for your CD/DVD drive).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Internet Explorer 6.

After reinstalling Internet Explorer 6, you should be able to use the browser without any issues.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you’re still experiencing problems with Internet Explorer after following the steps above, try these additional troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6.
• Check for any pending Windows updates and install them to ensure your system is up-to-date.
• Disable any third-party security software or firewalls temporarily to see if they are interfering with Internet Explorer.
• If Internet Explorer still doesn’t work, try using an alternative browser like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

Remember, Internet Explorer 6 is an older version of the browser and may not be compatible with modern websites and web applications. It’s recommended to upgrade to a newer version of Windows and use a more up-to-date browser for the best online experience.