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The behavior that you describe has been experienced by other computer users. In some cases, it is related to a bad installation of IE6 SP (Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack update). It can also occur with a faulty installation of a later version of IE. In many other cases, it is due to the presence of Spyware or viruses that is causing “Internet Options” not to work.

Internet Options Does Not Display: Update Internet Explorer

It’s important to make sure that you have the latest version of Internet Explorer. To obtain the latest update or version of Internet Explorer, visit the following link: Internet Explorer Upgrade. The current version is IE8.

Internet Options Does Not Display: Scan for Spyware

One of the most common reasons behind “Internet Options” failing to display any choices is the presence of some form of malware. Typically, spyware and the like will disable this option so that you cannot reset any of the changes that have been made by the spyware application. In some cases, you might even notice that your home page has changed or a toolbar has been added to your browser. However, it isn’t always evident that spyware is taking over. If you do not have an anti-virus/anti-spyware application, obtain one and use it to scan for spyware now. I can recommend Anti-Virus Plus, which is a reliable anti-virus/anti-spyware application.

Internet Options Does Not Display: Spybot Search & Destroy

Another cause that can lie behind the disappearance of “Internet Options” in the Tools menu is an action taken by Spybot Search & Destroy. In order to resolve the issue, complete the following steps:

1. Open Spybot Search & Destroy.
2. Click the “Immunize” tab.
3. Look for a checkbox in front of the phrases “lock IE start page setting against user changes” and “lock IE control panel against opening from within IE.” Uncheck them in order to reactivate “Internet Options.”

Please note that not all versions of Spybot Search & Destroy have this option.

Internet Options Does Not Display: Additional Causes

Someone else has administrative control of the computer such as a work administrator, teacher, or parent and has cut off your access to this feature.

When I go online, I get a window that says I’m working with add-ons disabled. I can’t get into the game sites that I normally go into because of this. I went to Tools, and then to Manage Add-ons but it isn’t highlighted so I can’t change it to enable. What can I do to enable this?

Troubleshooting Add-ons

How to Enable Add-ons

It sounds as though you are attempting to enable Add-ons through the Tools Menu, and selecting Manage Add-ons. Depending on your web browser, you might need to first select Tools, then Options, and then Manage Add-ons. If, when you do this, the enable add-ons listing still isn’t presenting itself as able to be modified through the Manage Add-ons option in the Tools Menu, you can try to adjust them through the Internet Explorer Settings.

Enable Add-ons through Advanced Internet Options

If this is the case, rather than choosing Manage Add-ons, you can also adjust your add-ons through your advanced Internet options menu. To do so, open Internet Explorer and select Tools. Then select Internet Options, then Advanced, and then Reset Internet Explorer Settings, then finally Reset. Resetting your Internet Options should re-enable add-ons. If not, you should repeat the steps that you were trying originally to switch add-ons to enabled through the Tools menu.

Update your XP Operating System

Since you are running Windows XP, your operating system and your web browser might be having a compatibility problem related to a Windows Service Pack download. These Service Pack updates have different results in different situations. In some cases downloading Service Pack 2 for XP has resulted in compatibility problems with existing programs, and in other cases it has resolved them. Without knowing the exact nature of the add-ons that you are using, I can suggest that you try downloading Service Pack 2 if you don’t have it, and remove it and try again if you do.

Update your Web Browser

If you are running Internet Explorer version 6, the Service Pack 2 download will add the Manage Add-ons options to the Internet Explorer tool bar. Open Internet Options and then Programs. Alternatively, if you are running version 6, you might consider upgrading to version 7 to avoid this and other related problems.

How to Manage Add-ons with Service Pack 2

If you are already running Service Pack 2, here are the steps to change the status of your add-ons. In Internet Explorer, choose the Tools tab, and then Manage Add-ons. Click on the name of the add-on that you are trying to enable, choose Enable and then OK. There is also an option to Update ActiveX, which will replace old add-ons with new versions.

Sounds like you have a lot going on with your computer, so let’s see if we can’t figure out what’s going on. The “Specific module could not be found” error caught my eye along with the mention of Yahoo and Google toolbars. It sounds as though you’ve already solved the network connection disappearance by reinstalling your hard drive though I’m not sure about that so I’ll address that as well.

Specific Module Could Not Be Found Errors

The “Specific module could not be found” error is most often associated with a missing DLL file. You might see a local file path such as C:\user\user name\AppData\Local\Temp\filename.dll. DLL files are a collection (library) of files that developers use to perform common functions. They are like pre-built modules of computer code that the developers can put together as they create applications. This allows developers to skip re-coding common components in their software. When the user installs the application, the various DLL files are installed with it. The software then loads the modules as needed.

However, if the DLL files become damaged or disappear, then the application generates a DLL error or a “specific module could not be found error.”

Yahoo and Google Toolbars

Since the error appears when you use your Yahoo to try to access a Web site, I’m guess that the problem is originate with the Yahoo toolbar. I would try removing and reinstalling the toolbar which should replace the damaged DLL file. Browser toolbars are removed in the same way as programs. Just go to the Add and Remove Programs section of the Control Panel and remove the Yahoo toolbar. I’d do the same with the Google toolbar, too.

Mapping Network Drive

When you map a network drive, there’s a tiny box that you need to check to ensure that your computer reestablishes a connection with the desired drive each time. Let’s make sure that the box is enabled. Go into Windows Explorer and click Tools > Map Network Drive. Find the box that says “Reconnect at Logon” and make sure that a checkmark is in it. Click OK.

Had a tech install AOL 9.1 and when he finished and left, all my Favorite Places were gone. I have not been able to “locate them” and reinstall them. Please advise me.

I am going to have you check to see if your “Favorites Folder” still exists and if it does, I’ll tell you what you need to do to restore it. If it does not exist, you will have to create a new one and I will also tell you how to do that. Before we start on that, however, you will need to back up your registry, because the strategy involves making a few changes in the Registry.

Backing up the Registry

Whenever you are about to make changes in the Registry, you should back it up first. This is due to the fact that this is a tricky process that could inadvertently lead to changes that make using the Registry impossible. Having the backup allows you to restore your Registry in the event that something does go wrong.

Checking the Existence of the “Favorites Folder”

It is possible that your “Favorites Folder” still exists. Follow these steps to see if it does:

1. Select “Start.”
2. Select “Find.”
3. Select “Files or Folders.”
4. Type “Favorites” in the open box and click “Enter.”
5. If the file for your Favorites appears, double click on it to open it. Verify that this is the folder that you are looking to find. If it does, follow the next set of directions to restore it to its proper location.

Restoring the “Favorites Folder”

This is the tricky part of the process because you will need to change entries in the “Registry.” Change the entries for the “Favorites Folder” so that they look as follows:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Shell folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell folders

HKEY_ USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Shell folders

HKEY_ USERS\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell folders

Creating a New “Favorites Folder”

If you can’t find the folder, then you will have to create a new one. Even though this is simple to do, you will also have the task of adding your favorites one by one. Follow these steps:

1. Open “Windows Explorer.”
2. Use the mouse to double click on the folder for “Windows.”
3. Right click and select “new.”
4. Click “Folder.”
5. Type in “Favorites.”
6. Click “enter.”
7. Add your favorites now or as you visit each site.

Future Upgrades of AOL

In the future, when you upgrade to the newest version of AOL or have someone do it for you, make sure that the option “Upgrade” is selected at the time of installation. This strategy automatically transfers the “Favorites Folder” along with all other saved information. This strategy would still work now if you wanted to have the tech uninstall AOL 9.1 and then reinstall it while using the “upgrade” option.

The easiest thing to do is to temporarily turn off your security, download Java and then turn it back on again. It is always hard to tell a user to turn off their security, even temporarily, so you might want to try a few other things first.

Uninstall Java

Are you sure that it is the security that is blocking your Java download? Sometimes you may have partially installed Java and when you try to do a new install, it is blocked. Check to make sure that you don’t have a Java program on your computer already. Go to Start and then Control Panel (or Settings and then Control Panel). Click on Add/Remove Programs. Select the Java Runtime Environment if it is present and then choose Remove. There may still be pieces of the program on your system, or the uninstall might not be successful. In any case, it is a good idea to run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility. This program is from Microsoft, and it will clean up any program that is installed by Windows, as Java is.

Reinstall Java

After you are sure that Java is gone from your system, try the download again. Make sure you are going to the Java website to get the download. Download the program to your desktop if you can, then exit out and install it on your computer rather than downloading it directly to the file.

Enable Java

If you are still having issues with the Java download, you need to make sure that Java is enabled and adjust your security settings. Open Internet Explorer and go to Tools and then Manage Add Ons. Click on Enable or Disable Add Ons. Click on the icon for SunJava Console and choose Enable. Set your Java security in Internet Explorer by clicking on Tools, then Internet Options. Choose Security and Custom Level. Look for Java Permissions and choose Low. Click OK.

Turn off Security

I hate to tell anyone to turn off their security, but you can temporarily do this as a last resort. It is a good idea to go to the Java website first and find the download, and then go back to your system and turn off your security. You can usually find your security icon on your desktop or taskbar or you can go to Start and All Programs to locate it. For example, in Norton, you click on the icon and then go to Internet Security Settings and click the option to turn it off. Download the Java to your desktop and then immediately go back and enable your security system again.

Java is such an important program for running applications on the Internet that you should have it on your system. Hopefully this will solve your download issues.

AOL for Windows Vista

About AOL

AOL - formerly America Online - is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and an online environment that offers users access to a wide variety of Internet-related services including email, online security and interactive user groups and forums. You can use AOL software via free downloads without becoming a member of AOL, or you can create an AOL membership for as little as $9.99 per month. AOL membership offers dial up Internet access, McAfee Security protection and AOL technical support. More information about AOL membership is available here.

AOL Version 9.1 Free Download

The most recent release of AOL - version 9.1 - is compatible with Windows Vista and offers AOL instant messaging, email, special content and a lot of other features. If you have a high speed Internet connection, Vista ready (VR) AOL 9.1 is a free download and is available here.

AOL Software Installation CDs

If you are on a dial up connection you can pick up an AOL version 9.1 Vista ready CD from a retail store like Walmart or Best Buy. The CDs are usually free and are available at the check out counter or in the electronics department. Before you drive all over town, you might first want to call ahead and make sure that the store in your area is supplied with the CDs. If you aren’t able to find a CD in your area, you can contact AOL directly and request a CD.

AOL Desktop Version 10.1

AOL Desktop version 10.1 is a recent online download launch that was issued in the summer of 2008 that takes the original AOL environment to the computer desktop. This change brings with it many features of AOL as it has been known for many years such as an Internet portal and web browser, AIM and email and merges them with new desktop features like those of Windows.

There is no reason why you should need this program for your computer since it is an additional user interface, not a required program. If you run Windows Vista, you can still use AOL as your ISP without requiring AOL Desktop 10.1. Further, there is no Vista-specific version of AOL, but all recent releases are Vista enabled. AOL has traditionally supported for 64-bit operating systems, though 64-bit users have experienced bugs from time to time. There is no CD required for AOL 10.1 and it is available for download from the AOL website here.