Blank Web Page with Placeholder Icon and You Cannot Save a File to Disk (316537)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows Millennium Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 2000 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q316537
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you click a link to download a file through Internet Explorer, a blank white window may appear. There are no buttons to save the file to your hard disk or to open the file.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, delete the registry key for the Active X control or add-in program that was removed. To do so:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extensions

    Make a note of the contents of the Extensions key.
  4. On the Edit menu, click Delete. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
  5. On the File menu, click Exit.
  6. Search for and rename the file that is listed in the registry key that you deleted in Step 3. To do so, follow these steps:

    1. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
    2. Click All files and folders.
    3. Type the filename that you noted in step 3 in the All or part of the filename box, and then click Search.
    4. Right-click the file that is on the right pane of the search dialog box, and then click Rename.
    5. Type a new extension for the file, for example, Filename.bak.
    NOTE: If you do not complete this step, the file may recreate the registry key when you restart the computer.
  7. Restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about troubleshooting active content in InternetExplorer, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

154036 How to Disable Active Content in Internet Explorer

180553 Error Locating Object Handler

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kbprb ocsso KB316537
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.