Replies

Computer hardware now comes in two versions: 32 bit and 64 bit. Most computers sold in the last two years are 64 bit. If you have an older, 32-bit system and you install IE9, the 32-bit version will be installed automatically.

If you have a newer 64-bit system and install IE9, the system will install both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Under “All Programs” on the Start Menu, you will see both “Internet Explorer (64-bit)” and “Internet Explorer.” The “Internet Explorer” menu item is the 32-bit version (even though it doesn’t explicitly say so). When you run IE9 on a 64-bit system, use the 32-bit version, not the 64-bit version. The 64-bit version has a lot of incompatibilities, and the 32-bit version runs just fine on 64-bit systems.

If you’re not sure whether you have a 32- or 64-bit system, simply go into the Control Panel and select the System option, which will tell you how your system is configured. When I used the 64-bit version, I couldn’t print anything from the browser. I have no problem with the 32-bit version. Be sure also that your Desktop and Quick Launch icons link to the 32-bit version.

I agree completely with the idea of dumping as much third-party software as possible. If it’s already built into the system, why risk incompatibility? Simplicity is always better.

With Windows 7, I was able to dump Norton Ghost. The Disk Image capability is now built into Windows 7, and is quick and easy. I do an image backup to an external hard drive every month after Patch Tuesday.

Your article led me to look at the Check Previous Versions option again. I discovered that Norton Ghost had taken over that function (I always wondered why there were no files listed), so you are forced to use the Ghost file backup facility, as the Windows 7 one is suppressed. Now that I have uninstalled Ghost, the Check Previous Version has information from Restore Points (I have not set up Windows 7 Backup and Restore as I back up active files onto a USB drive frequently and to DVD weekly).

Good article! I look forward to the sequels.

When “Check for Updates” opens Notepad instead of the web site to update the program, it does open a file, which consists of HTML code.

Paul– No, Notepad does not open when I click links in other programs, but these (CCleaner, IObit Advanced System Care, both freeware) are the only programs I use that have the Check for Updates at the bottom that used automatically to open the respective program’s web site for updates. I don’t know what made the link start opening Notepad instead of the web site for updates.

IE8 is set as the default browser. That is the only browser on the system (Vista).

You said that IE9’s 64-bit version doesn’t work with Flash, Silverlight, or 32-bit ActiveX. The more I think about it, when I lost the ability to print through IE9, it was the 64-bit version that I was using, not the default 32-bit.

It appears that it premature to install IE9 before these glitches are worked out. It’s a nice product, but not that nice that one should have to go through all these difficulties to use it!

From your description it seems that I was using the 32-bit default version on a 64-bit machine, and the 32-bit version was the one unable to print anything. That would lead to the conclusion that it is IE9, not specifically the 64-bit version that is the problem. I think it is best to wait 6-12 months to try to install it, when all the bugs might have been worked out.

The problems were with the 64-bit version. That was the one that automatically came up in Microsoft Windows Update (Windows 7) since my Toshiba laptop is 64 bit.

How do you override that to get the 32-bit version (directly from the Microsoft Download site)?

My connection to the new HP Officejet printer is via USB cable.

I have a Windows 7 64-bit Toshiba laptop. I installed IE9 through Microsoft Update, and found it to be a cleaner interface and faster, as advertised. However, I couldn’t print anything from IE9 to my HP printer. I followed the procedure that you gave and uninstalled IE9, going back to IE8. Now again I have no problems printing. I have warned my contacts not to install IE9 until it becomes stable (usually takes 6-12 months).