You said you knock IE because you're not a prick, therefor anyone who doesn't knock it is a prick! You also said that people who continue to use IE are too stupid to bother helping! As I continue to use IE I am stupid? Sorry for your lack of writing ability! Dude!
.... Sigh.
It seems an explanation is required.
You asked me why I keep telling people IE sucks if I get business from it. I replied: I tell people because I'm not a prick. Meaning: I don't care about the money, I tell people because it's the right thing to do. There was nothing implied at all.
I also said that people who post threads here with problems caused by IE who then go on to post more threads because IE is still causing them problems are too stupid to bother with. They can't comprehend simple things like changing browser to fix the problem. Those people are stupid.
Are you just not reading what my posts or does your brain automatically create 'waaaahhhh' responses without taking in what I'm writing? If I wanted to insult you directly I would do so. I don't follow this ridiculous no personal insults thing, people that deserve to be insulted should be insulted. I didn't because I'm trying to explain my point. It's like saying 'this door doesn't lock properly: I'll just leave it and hope no thieves notice it' when the obvious alternative is to accept a free door replacement.
So please, change to a decent browser. Any will do. Literally any of the dozens around. They are all better, faster and more secure than IE has ever and will ever be.
There's nothing really "wrong" with IE, it works and does it's job, but because it's the most common (and used by most people) it's the one most hackers aim at and so causes the most problems.
There are a lot of browsers available now, for a while Microsoft ruled the roost with IE but legislation was brought in to make the option for other browsers available.
Although certain browsers do have their advantages (and disadvantages) I think much of it is the computer "experts" proclaiming their kudos by showing that they don't comply with the everyday software made for your basic computer user but have to use the new-fangled, not yet in the public domain, all bells and whistles, has to be given a shove to work properly now and then "Zibberdie" browser.
IE has it's faults, and it's restrictions, but it does what it says on the box and usually works. If you want a browser that does that for you, it's fine, if you want to spend a week reading a manual before you use your PC (by which time they've brought out another one)but does allow you to fine tune every part of your internet interaction then whatever works best for you.
IMO IE has been a bad risk for a long time, I now dont have any time for any MS claims that IE is now the safest browser, etc, when there are constant updates and bulletins about serious security vulnerabilities.
I was an IE fan before firefox came along as it was much nicer than Netscape Navigator (the other browser at the time), but as the web got more advanced its flaws became more apparent.
From my own experiences working on a lot of faulty virus filled machines, IE was a big part of the cause. But to blame it all on IE is probably too much.
The main part of it I saw was the lack of user knowledge towards protection while online. Its all about how your browser is set up along with any AV, Anti Spyware, firewalls, etc. These things are never 100% safe but they do need setting up to protect you as good as they can for your requirements, they are not install and forget programs.
Firefox is much better 'out of the box' than IE, but its still very easy to get spyware and viruses through most browsers, firefox included, unless setup properly and updated of course.
My opinion on why IE is in trouble would be that MS made IE too integrated into windows and tried to make every MS product linkable to one another allowing too many security vulnerabilities that would affect one, then affect all. That would be my theory.
Firefox as a standalone program would have less vulnerabilities to tap into, but is itself not free from potential viruses/spyware/etc.
Whenever I fix a PC I always say to people not to use IE and install firefox with a couple of apps to keep most of the security risks away.
Spanner, it sounds like your socket is loose, take the laptop to Bigabyte in Rock Ferry, they'll sort you out. On the subject of internet browsers, use whichever one you feel happiest with, just make sure you have anti-virus and spam filters etc. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free one that does the lot.