IE6 - can't get to Tools...Internet Options

dheit · #1 06-03-2003, 06:42 PM

All of the sudden, when clicking Tools...Internet Options I get the message:

This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact the system administrator.

I am an administrator on the box. There is one other administrator-equivalent who does not have this problem. There are also three other user accounts that do not have this problem. What would cause this to suddenly happen? I've been using this computer fine since purchase almost a year ago. The only thing that's changed lately is that I tried to recover some performance by installing SpyBot.

Help, please!

I'm also having a terrible time accessing online bill pay with my financial institution and they tell me they have no problems on their end. I randomly get "cannot load page" (or something to that effect). A co-worker who banks at the same organziation also confirms he does not have problems. Again, I have been doing online banking with this organization for over two years and in the last few weeks things have gone south.

Thoughts, suggestions?

ESALADUANE · #2 06-03-2003, 07:07 PM

See if this repair helps. You might be asked for your installation CD.

http://theeldergeek.com/repair_ie6.htm

dheit · #3 06-04-2003, 08:29 PM

I wish I could say either of these helped, but they didn't. I didn't get prompted to reboot either. On the same machine with another user, IE is fine.

Any other ideas? Could it be some kind of policy issue? Where do I go to check that?

ESALADUANE · #4 06-04-2003, 08:41 PM

People using pop-up stoppers and ad blockers are usually warned that the down side of using them is that some secured sites (that use log-on or sign-in screens) won't work. Try disabling any pop-up stopper, ad blocker or firewall that you have, and see if that works.

dheit · #5 06-04-2003, 09:49 PM

I'll try, but an as pressing issue is that I can't get to Tools...Internet Options in IE. I get the error that there are restrictions in effect on the computer, and this only happnes on my user account.

ESALADUANE · #6 06-04-2003, 10:04 PM

Here are two pages showing how to control access to the Internet Explorer setup and control panel functions (Tools > Internet Options). You may be able to use this information to reverse changes that may have been made. They require use of the Registry so if you decide to explore this option make sure to set a Restore Point before you start.

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/537/
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/797/

ESALADUANE · #7 06-05-2003, 08:47 PM

Microsoft has just released another "Cumulative Patch" for IE.

http://www.windowsxpforums.com/

dheit · #8 06-06-2003, 07:57 AM

Can you tell me a little more about a "restore point?" I've never done thought, although I've backed up the registry before editing.

ESALADUANE · #9 06-06-2003, 01:14 PM

See here.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...S_overview.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...understanD.asp

You can get to System Restore by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools

dheit · #10 06-07-2003, 06:56 AM

The solution has been found! Following the instructions here:

www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/797/

but with a slight modification. None of the DWORD values made a difference with the [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Inte rnet Explorer\
Control Panel] key. However, I changed the Restrictions key (rather than Control Panel) and under that key was a value for NoBrowserOptions. I changed that from a 1 to a 0 and it fixed the problem! I wonder what program set that value? Could Spybot have done that?

Thank you, so much, for your help! I NEVER would have found that.

ESALADUANE · #11 06-07-2003, 01:26 PM

Glad you found it. And, thanks for posting back with your solution, it might help others.

belgarion · #12 06-10-2003, 08:19 PM

I ran across this thread from a google search.

Turns out it is SpyBot that set it in my case.

To be fair though, SpyBot pointed the gun at my foot, but I pulled the trigger.....:>(

The imunizations page in the latest spybot has a check box tha says....

Lock IE Control panel from opening from within IE (Current User)

Checking this off fixed this problem for me.

Hope this helps someone else as it did me.

Thanks.

dheit · #13 06-11-2003, 12:01 AM

Very interesting. I was suspicious of SpyBot since the timing of the problem coincided with its install.

Thanks for the follow up. Now I can reinstall Spybot and stay away from that setting. ;-)

egs · #14 07-18-2003, 05:42 PM

Just to confirm - I had the same issue with Spybot as outlined by belgarion.

The sollution provided worked! (I love when that happens first time!)

egs

ESALADUANE · #15 07-18-2003, 05:45 PM

Me, too.