Nine weeks ago, I wrote about a problem I had with my preferred web browser, Chrome. Simply put, it would not start up on a Windows 7 system. Double clicking its icon produced no result at all. Internet Explorer won't start in windows 7 and chrome won't. Firefox will I recently ran microsoft update on my laptop. I also ran a malwarebytes update. Now I can't start up both Chrome and Internet Explorer. I then downloaded the setup file for firefox on another computer and transferred it with a USB to my laptop. Windows 7; Replies (7).
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I've created two threads on this issue with no real luck. I'm hoping I can create this third thread and be as detailed as possible for optimal results. I'll number the events in chronological order and hopefully it will allow someone to connect the dots that I can't. Thanks so much!
- Google Chrome disappeared from my computer. I discovered this because I keep all of my program icons in on my task bar rather than on the desktop. I noticed the icon where Chrome should be was the default 'white sheet of paper' representing the absence of Chrome. I clicked on it and was prompted with a dialog box, 'The file has been moved or does not exist, would you like to remove the shortcut?' I clicked 'Yes'.
- Attempted to reinstall Google Chrome by visiting Google and clicking on the link provided on the homepage as an advertisement next to the search bar. I was redirected to the standard page where Chrome Installer is downloaded. I did this using Internet Explorer. As a side note, suddenly IE (which I do not typically use) would not run unless I selected it to run without add-ons. This is weird because in addition to not using IE, I definitely do not have any add ons for it. The Google Chrome Installer downloaded. I clicked on the executable file in my 'Downloads' folder. The installer prompted an error dialog stating 'Google Chrome Installer failed to start.' The option to click the link for 'Get help with this issue' did not work. I am the only account on my machine, but decided to 'run as administrator' anyway. Same result.
- I decided to download Firefox. I've used it before and to be honest, I'm not sure why I didn't keep it on my machine, but that's beside the point. Firefox installed without any issues. It's a little laggy on startup, but works. I opened up the 'Tools' menu and decided to customize the browser. When I was prompted about from where I wanted to import my bookmarks, I chose Chrome out of curiosity. It imported them flawlessly. This, of course, told me there was still Google in my registry. No surprise there. Attempted to download and install Google Chrome from Firefox. Download successful, but same prompt regarding installer. It would not start.
- At this point I decided to uninstall every Google program. This may not have been necessary, but I wasn't getting anywhere and I wouldn't really lose anything anyway. I combed my programs and removed every Google program on my machine. I have very few third party software on my computer. I run Avast, TuneUp Utilities and Microsoft Security Essentials. I have never had any issues with any of them ever. I ran a full scan and no threats were found.
- At this point, with nothing happening in the way of progress, I decided to post my problem on reddit 24hoursupport and the Google Chrome forums. Both posts addressed everything from 1-4. The answers I received were essentially the same, 'run scans, delete registry entry, reattempt'. I did everything according to instruction. I received the same results. The installer will not start. I gave it a couple of days before readdressing the issue.
- No new answers from reddit or Chrome forums. I'm chatting with an IT friend of mine who walks me through some steps to look for registry entries. It winds up being that we are looking for the same one I've already deleted. He then directs me to a few third party uninstaller programs. Every third party uninstall program finds nothing other than what the stock uninstaller finds. Nothing to do with Google. There is nothing left to uninstall. He then directs me to a third party software updating site. I select the Chrome box and the site downloads an installer (presumably from Google provided link, simply a redirect). Same issue. Installer downloads, but will not start. The option to 'Run' the .exe file has always existed, but once it is clicked, the Google prompt pops up and says it won't start.
- A day goes by and I dive into my registry. I comb over it very carefully and find everything I can regarding Google, Google Update, Google Chrome, Google anything. I delete all registry folders pertaining to Google. My machine is essentially a Google virgin. I try downloading and running the installer from the Google website again. Same results. Download successful, run, installer will not start.
- At this point you might be asking, 'Why haven't you just restored your machine to an earlier point in time when Google Chrome was on your machine and working?' Great question. The answer is because there are only two restore points available to me and both are on days after Google Chrome went missing. Now I've been busy with school and stuff, so maybe I forgot to update my restore points, but I'm pretty sure I had one for December. It is gone.
![Starting Starting](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124931896/137608018.jpg)
Summary,
I've tried everything I know how to, everything others have told me, and still this problem persists. There seems to be no issue with my computer. No viruses, malware, spyware, etc. No problems with the hard drive (I forgot to mention that two disk checks were run during 5-6) and no other software issues other than with Chrome installation and IE not working (but I'm not even sure if I care enough about IE to worry at this point unless they are related issues.) I'm at a loss and I've lost my favorite browser. I've hit a brick wall and I don't know what my options are at this point.
If anyone knows anything more than what I've attempted, I'm all ears and hoping for the best. Thanks!
![Windows Windows](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124931896/202981475.jpg)
I should mention that I have, on several occasions by recommendation, attempted the stand alone installers provided by link on various threads in this forum. The same problem occurs
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