IE 8 Experiences?

I kept getting annoyed at my home page being taken over by a MS ad exhorting me to switch to IE version 8, and I'd heard a couple of people say good thingsabout it, so a few days ago I broke down and downloaded it. And now I have nothin' but trouble... the "back" button, generally speaking,doesn't work; usually when I open a new browser page it freezes, or does nothing; about half the time I start it, it doesn't respond and I have to gothrough the "ctrl/alt/delete" rigamarole; and in general it's MUCH slower than the old version was...<br><br>Anyone have similar experience? Advice? Is it because IE8 was meant to run with Vista, and I'm still using XP??

Greg, I have only heard both extremes with IE8, love it or hate it. For me, I love it! It has worked very smoothly for me and is VERY fast, much faster thanany previous version I have used. I got a new computer a couple of months ago, and it of course has Vista, so you may be correct that your difficulties arebecause you run XP. My previous computer had XP Pro, but I didn't switch to IE8 until I got the new one. In fact, I was not thrilled with Vista until Iupgraded to IE8, and now I couldn't be happier with the performance.

Greg, I was a proponent of IE forever. I guess I just felt secure using it since it's MS and all I really ever had experience with. I have XP and I jumped from 6 to 8 because I hated 7 for reasons that were not performance related. I hated it so much, I never even knew what its performance was like. Months ago, when I upgraded to 8, I was amazed and started a thread on it: <br><br> <a target="_blank" href="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/topic/27512">http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/topic/27512</a> <br><br> There were a few comments about the superiority of Firefox. I expected this of course, as other browsers will have their fans too. Finally, at another completely unrelated forum I belong to (online games), I was experiencing problems and the owner of the site personally sent me a link to download Firefox. I did. <br><br> Buddy, performance comparison is <span style="font-weight: bold;">NIGHT</span> and freakin' <span style="font-weight: bold;">DAY</span>! It isn't perfect. There are compatibility problems with some add-ons. Also an issue saving images from eBay. So I still occasionally use IE. But Greg, do yourself a favor and at least try it. You can always uninstall it. Create a restore point before downloading it just in case. <span style="font-style: italic;">I thoroughly endorse and recommend it</span>. <br><br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html">http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html</a>

Also, even though I liked and used Firefox much more, I really didn't have any very frustrating issues with IE8 on a regular basis. That was until, in thecourse of regular Microsoft Windows updates, I downloaded several security updates for IE8 last month. Since then, it's been almost intolerable to use.With all the back button, additional slowness and freezing issues you describe. It must've been those updates, and if you only switched a few days ago,your version would have those.<br><br><br>Two other comments: I use the back button a LOT. Before the problems, IE was better in that if I hit it 5 times rapidly, it would eventually go back 5 pages.With Firefox, it only goes back one page at a time. That is to say, it must go back to the previous page before pressing the back button will work again.Finally, although I get my MS updates automatically, in order to visit and use the Microsoft Windows Updates site, you must be using IE.

Gregg, I was curious if you are using XP or Vista? I only ask to see if it may be a compatability issue as Greg mentioned. On my previous computer, I had IE7using XP, but when I got my new one, Firefox blew IE7 with Vista away by far performance wise, but once I upgrade to IE8 they seem equal in speed, but nocompatability issues or back button issues that you mentioned makes me like IE8 much better. I have heard just as many horror stories concerning IE8 as I havegood ones like mine, so giving Firefox a shot like Gregg mentioned may be the best route for you to go.

Jamie, I have XP. So that's consistent with everything you've noted. If I did have Vista, and IE was as fast as Firefox as you've experienced, Iwould stick with IE. Although it's important to note that the add-on compatibility issues I had are now shared by both browsers since I went from IE6 toIE8.

Thanks for all the help, gentlemen! I've tried Firefox and experienced some compatability issues as well, plus I was just so used to using IE so I wentback to using IE7. But now that I'm having the problems I am with IE8, maybe I will give Firefox another shot...<br><br>I do have a feeling it's at least partly due to the XP / Vista interface. I'm thinking of getting a new 'puter once Windows 7 hits the market.

I also got annoyed with the begware prompting me to upgrade to IE8,<br>so I finally did it.<br>Even as I was doing it, watching the long download and installation, I knew it was going to bring headaches.<br><br>I uninstalled it and restored my 64 bit version of Vista to it's last saved checkpoint within 2 days.

I've been using Firefox for as long as I can remember. I didn't realize Microsoft was still putting out copies of IE, God bless their little hearts...

<span style="font-family: Verdana;">IE8 piece o'cr*p. Finally gave into the updates message about it...BIG mistake!....went back to the last restorepoint...I'll wait a while longer! Mozilla is better any way!!!</span><br style="font-family: Verdana;"><br style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ray</span> <img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/happy.gif" alt="image"><br>

Hmmmm.... how do you go to the last restore point?

<strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx</a></strong>

Wanna hear something funny? That link wouldn't even open in IE8, so I had to open it in Firefox - ha!!! It sounds a bit scary given MS operating systems,so I'm not sure if I'm going to try it... but thanks for the info!

I've posted way too many times on this thread. <img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gif" alt="image"><br><br>System Restore like having a parachute in a crashing plane. It's not like fooling around with the registry. It's impossible to mess anything up usingit. It's totally safe, completely reversible and very simple. And although it can still be used for problems (or even a disaster) without ever having usedit before, setting your own restore points can save a lot of headaches.<br><br>Can someone please chime in here and help our friend Greg realize what a safe and invaluable tool this is? Anyone?<br><br><br>

LOL! I appreciate it very much, Gregg... but you gotta understand that I'm a "computerphobe" and I always manage to mess things up, no matter howsimple. Mind you, I'm very talented as a user, but hell, I can't even figger out how to get my USB ports to read my flash drive when I plug it in. Sobelieve me, it's NOT that I don't trust your advice - I just don't trust ME to do it!!

Gregg, Greg and Gregg.<br><img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gif" alt="image">

There are way too many Greg(g)s here! :)<br><br>Greg, Gregg (hotbirdsplanes) is absolutely correct. It is a wonderful tool that is very simple to use. You really can't mess up anything using it and isthe best way to reverse anything you have done that turned out bad. Since you are using XP, it is a very simple process and very user friendly. I would takeGregg's advice and go for it, you can't screw it up! :)

I was using IE8 loving it and WHAMO it completely melted down yesterday. I am using google chrome now and like it so far.

<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image">Grogger,....I've sent you anabacus with a long wire on it!<br><p>Andy<img height="15" src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/pacman.gif" width="15" alt="image"><br></p>