ID: Q154036
The information in this article applies to:
This article describes troubleshooting steps that may help you solve problems with Active Content in Internet Explorer.
This article lists troubleshooting steps to help you troubleshoot problems with active content such as ActiveX scripts, ActiveX controls, and Java programs in Internet Explorer.
If you are unable to load a particular Web page using Internet Explorer, the problem may be caused by active content that the Web page contains. To determine if this is the case, perform the following steps.
After performing each step, check to see if you are able to successfully load the Web page. If you are able to successfully load the Web page, you should contact the administrator of the Web site to report the problem and inquire about additional methods to access the Web page.
1. Configure Internet Explorer so that it does not run ActiveX scripts
automatically:
Internet Explorer 3.x:
a. On the View menu, click Options, click the Security tab, and then
click the Run ActiveX Scripts check box under Active Content to
clear it.
b. Click OK.
Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01:
a. On the View menu, click Internet Options, click the Security tab,
click Custom (for expert users), and then click Settings.
b. Scroll down to the Scripting section, click Disable under Scripting
for Java applets and Active Scripting, click OK, and then click OK.
NOTE: In Internet Explorer, the term "ActiveX scripting" refers to
both Java scripting and Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition.
Clearing the Run ActiveX Scripts check box disables both types of
scripts.
If you are able to load the Web page after performing this step, the
problem is being caused by an ActiveX script that the Web page
contains. The script most likely is written incorrectly, or contains
unsupported objects, properties, or elements.
that show active content, such as vertical marquees or animations:
Internet Explorer 3.x:
a. Click Options on the View menu, click the Security tab, and then
click the Enable ActiveX Controls And Plug-Ins check box under
Active Content to clear it.
b. Click OK.
Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01:
a. On the View menu, click Internet Options, click the Security tab,
click Custom, and then click Settings.
b. Click Disable under "Download unsigned Active X controls," "Script
ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting," "Initialize and script
ActiveX controls not marked as safe," "Download signed ActiveX
controls," "Run ActiveX controls and plugins," click OK, and then
click OK.
If you are able to load the Web page after performing this step,
the problem is being caused by active content that the Web page
contains.
compiler is disabled:
Internet Explorer 3.x:
a. On the View menu click Options, click the Advanced tab, and then
click the Enable Java JIT Compiler check box to cleared it.
b. Click OK.
Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01:
a. On the View menu, click Internet Options, click the Advanced tab,
and then click the Java JIT Compiler Enabled check box under Java VM
to clear it.
b. Click OK.
If the problem is caused by a Java program that the Web page contains
and the problem still occurs when the Java JIT Compiler is disabled,
the Internet Explorer status bar should display a message that provides
additional information about the problem. If the message indicates that
a particular class is not found, the appropriate class file may not
exist on the server that contains the Web page, or the server may be
too busy.
automatically:
Internet Explorer 3.x:
a. On the View menu, click Options, click the Security tab, and then
click the Enable Java Programs check box under Active Content to
clear it.
b. Click OK.
Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01:
a. On the View menu, click Internet Options, click the Security tab,
click Custom, and then click Settings.
b. Click Disable Java under the Java Permissions in the Security
Settings dialog box, and then click OK twice.
If you are able to load the Web page after performing this step,
the problem is being caused by one or more Java programs that the Web
page contains.
While most active content contained in Web pages is safe, some Web pages contain active content that can potentially cause security problems on your computer. For example, an ActiveX control that runs automatically when you load a particular Web page might damage your data or cause your computer to become infected with a virus. Internet Explorer uses safety levels for active content to help prevent this situation from occurring.
The following safety levels for active content are available in Internet Explorer:
Internet Explorer 3.02:
1. On the View menu, click Options, click the Security tab, and then click
Safety Level under Active Content.
Internet Explorer 4.0, 4.01:
1. On the View menu, click Internet Options, click the Security tab.
2. Click Zone and the security level for the zone you want to use, and
then click OK.
This page contains active content that is not verifiably safe to
display. To protect your computer, this content will not be displayed.
Choose Help to find how you can change your safety settings so you can
view potentially unsafe content.
The object handler for the specified type could not be found. Do you
wish to locate an object handler for this type?
In some cases, the following message is displayed when the safety level for active content is set to Medium and you attempt to access a Web page that may cause a security problem:
A Windows application is attempting to open or install the following
software component:
<address>
The component has been digitally "signed" by its publisher, but the
signature does not match the component. It is possible that this
component has been damaged or tampered with. Do you wish to continue?
ARTICLE-ID : Q174360
TITLE : How to Use Security Zones in Internet Explorer 4.0
ARTICLE-ID : Q171437
TITLE : How to Configure the Active Desktop
Keywords : kbenv kbtshoot msiew95 win98 kbfaq
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfoLast Reviewed: March 20, 1999