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[RC45]

Originally Posted by espen RC45, I work on computers a lot and see this problem quite a bit. Usually its either because an earlier installation of ie or other windows components have stopped or been aborted or because of general windows fuckup. Other causes are virus infections, as the killer utils sometimed screw up IE.

I "work on computers" too - and I am TELLING you - the number of times "a corrupted file" turns out to be NOT a corrupted file is more times than not. A corrupted registry value - or an incorrect parameter yes - but corrupted on disc files - no.

Why do I say this? Because if the modern "file system" (consisting of both hardware and OS) were SO unreliable as to cause installed files to randomly corrupt at the rate you are suggesting, then the simple act of starting a computer would be a complete hit and miss afair - as in you would need to re-install your entire system every other startup - which we KNOW is not the case.

BTW - quite a technical analysis there "general windows fuckup" - how about "general user fuckup" - because the only time a computer configuration deteriates is when you have imbecilick users constantly screw withit to the point of failure....

[espen]

Hehe. General user fuckup is of course a much more precise conclusion, particularly at the Uni of Bergen where I work Not much of a prob as we've just migrated onto XP/2003 AD system and now just remote ghost the pcs, but used to be a real pain in the butt.

As for general fuckup, thats often what happens whan the user has installed pretty much all the shareware, mediaplayers, Bonzibuddy and super smart toolbars there are, and then decide to clean up by uninstalling all at once thru control panel. Since these have dubious strings attached just about everywhere, there's bound to be trouble.

As for corrupted, I'm sure you're right. Actual failed files are probably rare, but I suppose the corrupt part comes from the error msg you get when Javascript has been "fixed" by Symantecs (and probably any other) virus removal tool. I forget wether it was Nimda or whatever but had that exact problem over and over myself at work. Thus we swithched to Opera - problem solved.