favorites not working

[Derek]

I have searched the forums but couldnt find my particular problem so here
goes :-

I am using IE8 in Vista with service pack 2.
yesterday without warning my favorites stopped working.
the icons for the favorites are just the plain default.

when i click on a favorite (from side bar or menu or links) sometimes
nothing happens and sometimes i get a box

asking me if i want to open or save.
If i open - nothing happens - if i save it save the favorite but it still
doesnt work.

I have uninstalled ie8 and tried ie7 but no good.
i reinstalled ie8 but still the same.

i used a reg cleaner and optimiser, still not working.

i exported my favorites and then imported them but still no good. (and yes i
am rebooting after every change).

when i click on the exported file, ie opens with a list of my favorites and
when i click on one it works ok.

If i add a new favorite it doesnt work.

ie works ok if i type in the address.

i have tried restoring my favorites from a backup but no joy.

i have tried using system restore but for some reason nonme of my restore
points are sucssesful.

the only time a favorite will work is from the exported file.

I have run an anti virus & mallware/spyware and after removing the finds and
rebooting its still the same.

i have searched the internet but everything i have tried does no good.

can anyone help before i tear my hair out!!!!

thanks in advance
Derek

 

[Rob]

Derek <Derek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I have searched the forums but couldnt find my particular problem so here
> goes :-

Posting one time is enough.

 

[Derek]

Yes sorry about that but everytime i posted it i was told there had been an
error and to try again.
when i finally got it posted i discovered all these postings.
I have now got the problem sorted - i managed to do a system restore using
my install disks instead of via windows. after restoring the earliest one
there was everything worked ok.
btw the problem also affected live mail. i was getting an error 0x80041161
and after uninstalling, the system would not run the install again (i assume
because the install download was just a link).

"Rob" wrote:

> Derek <Derek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > I have searched the forums but couldnt find my particular problem so here
> > goes :-
>
> Posting one time is enough.
> .
>