SOLVED Google Chrome and IE9 display mostly placeholders instead of images

[Gambatte]

Dear Forum:

I have Win7 Professional x64 installed on my computer. Maybe 4 or 5 months ago I formatted the HDD partitions of my computer and then installed Win7 Pro again (on C) and things were just fine for quite a while.

But for several weeks now the two browsers I use, i.e. Google Chrome and IE9, have mostly been showing placeholders instead of images (e.g. the IMDB.com website, please see screenshot).

A while ago I uninstalled and then reinstalled both browsers and things were fine again but only for one day . Software like Silverlight, etc. is installed and the AV and malware software on my machine (G-Data Security 2014, Super Antispyware, Spybot Search & Destroy and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware) hasn't found anything that could maybe explain this.

The problem is rather annoying and I haven't got a clue how fix this. I'm sorry but right now I can't really think of any additional helpful info to include.

Many thanks .

Gambatte

 

[Shintaro]

Hi,

I don't use Chrome, but my suggestions would be"

What happens if you refresh the web page? Do the images come back?

What about Chrome add-ons? Anything blocking Ad's or even your AV or G-Data Security software?

Regards

 

[TrainableMan]

Could you go to Control Panel > Internet Options, click on the Advanced Tab and scroll down to the multimedia section. Make sure "Show Image Download Placeholders" is NOT checked.

 

[Gambatte]

Hi Shintaro and TrainableMan:

Many thanks for your replies .

"Show image download placeholders" wasn't checked, reloading/refreshing pages doesn't help and neither does emptying the cash, etc. . Actually, I've got 2 PCs both of which have the same AV and anti-malware software installed. But I encounter the problems of the missing images only on one machine.

I also have AdFender installed on both computers. And just to make sure it's not the problem I turned AdFender off, then opened the IMDB webpage with still the same result: no images, just those pesky placeholders.

As for Chrome extensions/add-ons, there's only Google Docs 0.5 installed. Could that perhaps be the cause of the problem?

Would you perhaps have any additional suggestions with regards to fixing the problem?

Many thanks!

Gambatte

 

[Shintaro]

Hi,

I am not familiar with G-Data Security 2014. I only use Microsoft Security Essentials and MalwareBytes.

As a test I would uninstall G-Data Security 2014.
Reboot.
Try the IMDB webpage.

That way you will see if it was a setting in G-Data Security 2014 that is causing the issue.

Then re-install G-Data Security 2014.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gambatte]

Hi Shintaro:

Thanks a lot for your reply .

I did uninstall G Data Security 2014, rebooted and voilà, the images were back on the IMDB site (and I'm sure on other sites as well) .

Right now, though, I'm installing AVG Internet Security. I'm a little afraid that once G Data has been installed again, the images will again be replaced by placeholders.

Strange, though, that this problem occurred on only one of my 2 computers.

Anyways, many thanks again for helping me solve this somewhat annoying issue .

Gambatte

 

[Shintaro]

That's good that it has been solved, however you could go to the G Data forums and ask for an answer there.

Personally, I only run Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes anti-malware.

If you think all is good, then please mark the thread as solved.

Regards.

 

[TrainableMan]

From your results it sounds like the issue is caused by G-Data and it is quite probable there are settings you can adjust so that their product is installed but your pictures appear. Check the G-data help or, as Shintaro mentioned, check with the G-Data online forums.

 

[Gambatte]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for all your input and feedback, much appreciated .

Unfortunately, the placeholders did come back shortly after I'd posted my "success" note yesterday.

But... it seems it's none of the above but rather my darned VPN (Virtual Private Network) that's causing the problem!

Turning the VPN off causes all the images on the IMDB website to come on like lights on a Christmas tree and turning it back on the placeholders to rear their ugly heads again

I'll do the same experiment again tomorrow. And if the result is the same I'll mark the thread as solved.

Many thanks again.

Gambatte