Member Avatar for Kyren

umm...hey!....I have Windows 98 second version and everytime i click a link that is a pop-up window...then the web page crashes for link a minute and does not even load the link when it comes back! Sometimes its not even a pop up, its just a site that crashes then eventually works after a minute or 2.....I have a laptop computer if that helps in anyway at all....I am curious if it is connected to the missing Bridge.DLL message i get everytime i put my computer on...Any help and I would be very thankful... :cool: cheers

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Likely cause and quick assessment

The missing Bridge.DLL message at startup plus the browser crashing when pop-ups open is a classic sign of a broken startup/browser extension or of adware/spyware hooking into the browser. As pointed out, malware is a strong possibility; the error itself normally means something (a Run/RunServices entry, an INI entry, or a helper DLL) still points to Bridge.DLL but the file is gone or bad.

Practical diagnostic checklist

  • Boot into Safe Mode (F8 at boot) and test whether the browser still crashes. If it does not, a startup item or browser add-on is almost certainly involved.
  • Search the Windows folder and the whole drive for any Bridge.DLL file to learn its original path.
  • Search Win.ini and System.ini (in the Windows folder) for any references to bridge.dll and remove those entries only after a backup.
  • Inspect startup locations: the Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder and the registry Run/RunServices keys (HKLM and HKCU). Use RegEdit to search for "bridge.dll". Export any registry branch before editing.
  • Run updated anti-virus and anti-spyware scanners (Ad-Aware, Spybot-era tools were commonly used on Win9x) and produce a HijackThis log for a precise list of browser hooks and startup entries.

Cleanup and follow-up

If the DLL is listed but missing, removing the registry/INI/startup reference will stop the boot error. If the DLL exists, treat it as suspect until scanned. Rename suspicious DLLs (add .old) rather than deleting immediately so rollback is simple. If browser stability still fails after cleaning, reinstall the browser components or consider a full clean install of the OS after backing up data. As noted, long-term safety on an internet-connected laptop running Windows 98 is poor; moving to a supported OS should be planned once the machine is cleaned.

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Member Avatar for MAD_DOG

I would drop Windows 98. I would go to Windows XP.
Second I would drop IE and switch over to Mozilla. You can download it at www.mozilla.org

I do understand this is a IE fourm but, this is just my thoughts more to come from other people.

Member Avatar for DMR

I am curious if it is connected to the missing Bridge.DLL message i get everytime i put my computer on

Yup, it almost certainly is- you've got spyware and/or other nasty guests in your system. I'm moving this to the Security forum; read through the posts there to find out how to get rid of the bridge.dll problem and other malicious programs that might have infected your system.

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