Hi google. I'm running Windows 98 on a Dell Latitude laptop with IE
6.0. My problem is that I can't click on google sponsored links. They
also always appear without a title. It's probably something but it's
beaten me. Can you help?

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Request for Question Clarification by palitoy-ga on 18 Sep 2004 03:01 PDT

Hello Mark

I suspect that this behaviour is due to your firewall.  Do you have
one running?  Can you let me know which Anti-virus/firewall programs
you are running and I think I can then provide the answer for you.

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Clarification of Question by markgamon-ga on 18 Sep 2004 04:14 PDT

Hi Palitoy

Could be that, I imagine. I'm running Norton Personal Firewall, which
is a pretty obscure piece of software. They really could do with
providing a little more explanation of what the thing is actually
doing, in plain English. I've looked round the firewall settings but
to be honest I've no idea what I'm looking for. Any suggestions
gratefully received.

I'm also running AVG 7.0 Professional anti-virus. Again, I can't see
any obvious reason why this should affect just the google sponsored
ads.

MAny thanks

Mark

Hello Mark

I am running Norton Internet Security which is the sister software to
Norton Personal Firewall and it does exactly what you are describing. 
As you say neither is a particularly easy to configure piece of
software but I will do my best to get it to return the ads for you.

Norton's ad blocker attempts to block text ads (including Google
AdSense adverts), banner ads, Flash ads, pop-ups and pop-unders.  Some
examples of these and how it effects webmasters can be seen on these
sites:
http://www.5staraffiliateprograms.com/norton-blocks-revenue.html
http://www.isedb.com/news/article/749?t=reviews&id=749
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/articles/norton.htm

The following links from the Symantec/Norton website will talk you
through the process of configuring or disabling the Ad Blocker
depending on your needs:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2003120315251836
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2002070914432936
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2000031311301136
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2003082911174336
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2001100915311136
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2001021911022836
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2001100111081936

Personally I have had no success with configuring rules to allow
certain sites to show ads and other sites to not (as this has to be
done for every site).  My solution is simply when I want to see one of
the adverts to open up Norton, disable the Ad Blocker and then reload
the page.

Of the links above this one is probably the most useful:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/pfdocs/2002070914432936

I would recommend keeping the pop-up window blocking box checked and
to check the Ad Blocking box as and when you need it.

If you have any further questions regarding this subject please ask
for clarification and I will do my best to respond quickly.

I have a client that has this problem too, so I hope you don't mind,
I'm poking my head in to see what results.

I did troubleshooting on their PC:
Windows XP with IE6
We emptied their TEMP folder, cleared temporary internet files, and did a scandisk.
I can't think of anything else that would cause this behavior but a
bad monitor, and he swears his monitor had all colors, and that he can
see other links of the same color.

Hi dreamboat...

Thanks for your suggestion. I do frequently clear the temporary
internet files and run scan disk. I've not emptied the temp folder
because I've always been a bit wary of this - is there any risk I'll
delete something I need?

I'm certain it's not the monitor, by the way. 

All the best

Mark

Hi Mark,

Deleting your temp folder contents will not cause you any problem.  If
it does cause probs then that is due to your software supplier writing
to the wrong dir.  If you have doubts simply copy this folder
elsewhere so you can always restore it subsequently?

__
Dominic