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Original poster

Bloody Windows 8 or bloody Internet Explorer... not sure which to blame!!!

33 replies

NutcrackerFairy · 10/12/2013 23:12

Does anyone here know anything about this?

Basically I can't load a web page via internet explorer on windows 8 for some reason, it keeps saying 'page cannot be displayed'.

But I can view the same page on the desktop...

Oh, and internet keeps disconnecting for some reason.

I am not highly computer literate and have no clue why this is happening... we used to be able to connect to the internet by clicking the 'start' icon, then clicking 'Internet Explorer'.

Now it is all 'Computer say no' with no blooming explanantion!

Can any computer knowledgeable MNer help please?

OP posts:
Lemongrab · 10/12/2013 23:39

Oh god, please don't get me started on bloody windows 8! I hate it with a passion Angry.
Dh is currently playing with it and getting increasingly murderous annoyed with it.
No advice I'm afraid, just wanted to tell you you're not alone!

SPSJSAT · 10/12/2013 23:55

but I can view the same page on the desktop

What operating system/Internet browser are you using on the 'desktop'?

Can you get to any web page at all on your Win 8 device?

Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 08:05

SPSJSAT I think it is Internet Explorer as well on the desktop?

And no, we can't go to any web page on the start page of windows 8.

Every page, google or MN [!], says 'Page cannot be displayed'.

But when I turn over to 'desktop' it be viewed there Confused

I think I may have updated recently [to Windows 8.1?] as a notification came through on the device itself saying we could update, so I did.... And was working fine for a week or more but suddenly it is not working at all.

Thanks for your responses so far.

And yes Lemongrab Windows 8 really sucks doesn't it. So difficult to use and navigate imo.

OP posts:
Seeline · 11/12/2013 08:26

When you say desktop - do you mean a separate desktop PC or do you mean that ridiculous 'desktop' tile on the start screen?
Is your machine actually connected to the internet? Usually when it says 'page cannot be displayed' there is a thingy to click which says 'diagnose connection problems' or something similar. Have you tried that?

manticlimactic · 11/12/2013 09:15

I've just got a new lappy with Windows 8. I have the connection problems when I turn the thing off. I have to turn it on and then restart it. Connection is fine.

It took me aaaaages to find the calculator last night.

Also can you get an adblocker working for IE when using the app and not the desktop bit? I've got adblocker but it only seems to work if I use the desktop tile.

KittensoftPuppydog · 11/12/2013 09:29

Windows 8 is really shit. I found that using Firefox rather than ie helps.

cozietoesie · 11/12/2013 09:39

Check your internet connection on whatever alternate device you're using - it's real easy to turn it off/eg put it into 'Flight Mode' by mistake.

Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 12:00

Seeline it's the desktop within this PC, as in I can click 'tools' and then click 'view on desktop' and it takes me to that old style screen with tabs along the top of the page [iykwim, sorry can't be more technical Blush].

When I click the 'diagnose connection problem' it doesn't do anything...

I think I must be connected to the internet as I can use it on desktop... but for some reason the Windows 8 'charms' or whatever those tiles are called are not connecting to the internet.... so we can't connect to google, etc via the Windows 8 start screen, if that makes sense...

cozietoes we have also checked internet connection on our tablet and it is fine, so this doesn't seem to be the problem. And it's not in 'flight mode', I checked this as I know I have accidently done this before!

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and suggestions so far.

I have had a quick look at the Microsoft support pages but all the info is in language I don't understand and don't know how to apply it to my issue.

I imagine it might be something quite simple... I have probably turned some function off somehow but I don't know what or how!!!!

OP posts:
Seeline · 11/12/2013 12:31

I assume you are running it on wifi? I sometimes find I have to disconnect my laptop and then reconnect it to the wifi, and it seems to work then Confused I hate windows 8 - can't get my head round it at all Grin

cozietoesie · 11/12/2013 12:35

I'm assuming you've closed the machine properly and rebooted? (If not, do that.)

Also - is your desktop by any chance hardwired to your router? (Wondering if you might have a wifi problem if that's how you're connecting on the misbehaving kit.)

Atomiksnowflake · 11/12/2013 12:38

i have windows 8 and had no problems until i downloaded the up grad. Windoews8.1 has disabled the wifi on my not quite year old lappy. i was told be the people who fixed the problem it is a know problem.
i can not turn my laptop off now,because the fixed wifi connenection is not stable enough . So i have an expensive doorstop which can not be turn off.

MammaTJ · 11/12/2013 12:44

I MN on Firefox, I play FB games on IE.

Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 12:47

Seeline yes, it is running on wi fi. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the wifi connection but unfortunately it hasn't fixed the issue.

cozietoes I have turned the computer on and off via the power icon on screen to see if issue resolves but it hasn't... although I haven't manually held down the power button to switch it off... is that what you mean by closing down properly and rebooting?

And that's interesting what you say about misbehaving kit... the desktop is on the computer itself so didn't need to be downloaded like the Windows program [I think].

Thanks very much to both of you for continuing to take the time to help me work out the issue!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/12/2013 12:50

I'd manually hold down the power button properly. Sometimes they get their knickes in a twist. Worth a try.

Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 12:51

Atomik that is very interesting, although I am now very sorry for my poor also not quite a year old laptop and your expensive doorstop!

Windows 8 was a pain in the arse but at least it worked.

Windows 8.1 though seems to have possibly disabled something.

Who did you speak to about this, is there anything that can be done to resolve the issue, do you know?

Last time I bloody install an update just because I am invited to by Microsoft Angry

OP posts:
Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 12:57

Hi cozietoes, I have just tried the manual off trick but no success Sad

Is my reasonably new laptop ruined?

Sad Sad Sad

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 11/12/2013 12:57

Thank Goodness I haven't updated to 8.1 yet.

Try \link{http://optimizewindows8.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/how-to-fix-limited-wi-fi-connectivity-issue-in-windows-8-1/\this} for a fix. I haven't used it (hope I don't need to) but I've read it through and it looks straightforward - if a bit fiddly.

unlucky83 · 11/12/2013 13:02

Windows 8 is your operating system - the desktop will be windows 8 too...
Do you mean from the Windows 8 'button' things - those designed for use with a touchscreen?
I'm on Windows 7 but my DM has Windows 8 and it has upgraded (from what I can make out) to 8.1 - she now can't access her email (web based outlook) through the buttons...
(She 300 miles away - so I sort things like this out for her remotely using teamviewer but haven't got round to it yet - I'm assuming her Firefox (web browser - like IE but better!) button is working because she can still browse the web/use email and doubt she has sussed out to use the desktop....
Lots of people hate Windows 8 - you can change it to a 'classic view' - so it looks more like Windows 7, Vista, XP, 95 etc...which without a touch screen is easier I believe...

FraidyCat · 11/12/2013 13:07

I don't know what's causing your problem, but for people who are confused as to what you are talking about, Windows 8 has two different versions of internet explorer, one for the new interface and one for the old/desktop.

I don't use Windows 8 apps, I use the desktop for everything.

Amateurish · 11/12/2013 13:07

Not a solution, but how about removing the IE metro app from your "metro" screen, and adding a tile for the normal IE programme.

Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 13:36

Thank you all for your help...

These more recent suggestions are a bit trickier for someone of limited computer knowledge like me but I will show them to DH when he returns home from work tonight and hopefully he will know how to delete and reinstall stuff [I know this make me sound a bit pathetic but I am now fearful of doing something worse to it!]

But I really appreciate all your suggestions and will report back later if we were successful.

In the meantime I am just using the internet on the desktop and in some ways it is a lot better as it doesn't do that shifting between screens at random times thing...

OP posts:
Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 13:38

By the way, why all you all saying Firefox is much better than IE?

I assumed all internet browsers were basically the same...

Interested!

OP posts:
Original poster
NutcrackerFairy · 11/12/2013 13:43

And has any of this got anything to do with the fact that I can't view Lovefilm on demand films on the new Windows 8 interface but if I revert to the desktop I can view it

This has always been the case, not connected to the recent issue...

OP posts:
DoctorTwoTurtleDoves · 11/12/2013 14:04

I have a new pc running XP (couldn't afford the spec needed for *) and the only time I used IE was to download Firefox. It's waaaaaaaay better than IE.

carlajean · 11/12/2013 14:18

shit. i'm downloading 8.1 now, after being prompted by MS. and I can't work out how to stop it. God, I hate Windows 8