Web page display incomplete

[lisadiane55]

Can anyone help? Most web pages are missing the buttons/links to click on and the text descriptions that should identify the buttons/links. Forgive any wrong terminology. I'm not very computer-savvy. Also, 2 days ago, Youtube began displaying oddly, with text appearing to the far left in a blue font, and the videos don't play, just a black screen. I think I emptied my cache (not sure what that means, exactly), and updated flash player and java, although looking at the "All Programs" list, it shows Java 6, update 22, and J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6, which must be very out of date. I don't know if this is related to the problem. Help.

[SpywareDr]

Have you tried System Restore?

What is System Restore?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...System-Restore

[lisadiane55]

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll look into it.

[Train]

J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6
That can be uninstalled from add/remove in XP or Programs and features in Vista/Win 7.

[Welshjim]

lisadiane55--Unless you are a developer, I suspect you do not need the J2SE RunTime program
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_diff.xml

[Tinkertron]

Me personally I would try to default/reset my I.E. (if that is what you are using)... How to Reset I.E. See if this fixes your problem first. Have you tried other browsers?

[lisadiane55]

Yes, I have the same problem of missing links and text when I use mozilla firefox. Both IE and firefox have been updated. I'm definitely not a developer. I'm barely computer literate.

[lisadiane55]

Well, I reset IE and deleted J2SE Runtime update 6. I'll let you know if the problem persists. I don't always know when there's missing text and links, but the pointing hand icon in the middle of a blank field is a clue, I guess.

[JPnyc]

Just on a hunch, are you running a firewall with content blocking capability? Also, what sort of connection are you on? I've seen images and portions of the page fail to load on slower connections. They don't just load slower, they don't load at all.

[lisadiane55]

I'm running windows firewall, medium-high setting, with no content blocked. My internet connection is Intel proset wifi via my neighbor's verizon account (she's cool with that). It usually runs between 5/5 and 11 mbps, not fabulous, but enough for streaming video most of the time. Since my last post, I see that the missing web page content is still a problem.

[Tinkertron]

Here at work I have notice some issue with fellow co-workers who laptop "dell" where icons such as the close, maxium, and minimize button would be missing. I'm wordering if you are having the same issue? What make and model is your system. Also What version of I.E. are you running?

[JPnyc]

It can't be the browser because it's happening in Firefox as well. Has to be either the firewall or some malware affecting both of them.

[lisadiane55]

I have a Dell Inspiron 9400, which I guess is getting sort of elderly, about 4 or 5 years old. As JPnyc said, it happens with both browsers. I wonder if some part of the hardware could be malfunctioning. I noticed last night that in yahoo mail the options for fonts, bold, emoticons, etc were missing. There were empty spaces, which if I floated the pointing hand icon, then a description would appear for each missing command/option. I'm probably in way over my head trying to solve this, given how little I know about computers. I just can't afford to pay a computer professional to troubleshoot it, so I'll have to live with it. You guys are awesome for being so helpful, though. I really appreciate your effort.

[JPnyc]

Well we're not giving up yet. Normally I don't recommend this but just for testing purposes, can you try disabling the firewall temporarily, and going to one of the sites where this always happens? Just make sure it's a fully trustworthy site.

[Tinkertron]

I'm thinking the same as JPnyc:

some malware affecting both of them

.

So would having him/her run HighJackThis and post the log onto VirtualDr Intensive Care Unit ???