My computer won't read Javascript - help!

[laura7]

My PC has all of a sudden decided NOT to read Java or JavaScript. I can't access popup windows or applets or anything Java related. I use IE 5 and AOL. Is there any way I can put this right? I have tried the tools>internet options thing and nothing has worked. My parents are freaking out cos the computer basically does nothing now. we cant use the search, help and support center or access user accounts on out computer either and its not even an old pc - we use XP.

Please help, any suggestions are welcomed.

Laura

[David Harrison]

Try downloading IE6 from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/, maybe that will have JavaScript enabled by default. I don't know how to turn JavaScript on/off with IE because I have never need to try.

If that doesn't work, then why not get yourself a good browser like Mozilla (http://www.mozilla.org/)?

[jaegernaut]

Considering that your issues seem to extend to non-browser related items such as Help and Support Center, and Administrative tasks such as accessing user accounts, I would say that this is likely not just a browser issue.

Was there anything installed before this started happening?
Is anything else effected?

Many times when things work one minute and then don't the next something gets messed up after installing a particular program. Of course, there is the possiblity of a virus as well.

There is always the default answer of "Reboot" and see if it still occurs. I assume that you've already tried that.

I use IE most of the time, and have never seen a place to turn Javascript on or off. To my knowledge that is built into the browser and is always on. Java may be a different story, but Javascript should be on.

----- edit -----
Of course after posting this I found out where you can turn that on and off. Tools>Internet Options>Security Tab>Customize Level button>Scroll down to Scripting.

I believe this is where you can Enable, Disable, or Prompt for Active Scripting (I think that applies to JavaScript) and Scripting of Java Applets.
------ end edit ------

I think upgrading to the most current version IE is a good idea regardless, and being that you are using AOL, I would look to the newest version there as well.

Those two upgrades should make your PC happier.


In any case, that's my 2 cents.