Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons

Subject: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: GUEST,Richard in Manchester
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 06:16 AM

For no obvious reason my Google toolbar has lost all its icons and search box. (XP and IE8).

The bar itself is still there, but it is nothing more than a blank grey strip with a large 'X' at the the left hand end. Clicking the 'X' opens a dialogue box asking me if I want to disable the toolbar, so clearly as far as the browser is concerned, the toolbar is working.

Clicking the Tools/Toolbars menu shows Google toolbar checked. I've tried disabling it and re-enabling it from that menu, and also de-installed and re-installed IE8, then re-enabled the toolbar. In both cases it comes back the same, as a blank grey strip with an 'X' staring balefully at me from the left-hand end.

Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 12:22 PM

...this time with cookie.

I have now tried 'Manage add-ons', and made sure Google toolbar is enabled.

This has placed a Google logo with a label "Google Toolbar installed" under the menu bar alongside the 'Favourites' button (where the toolbar used to be). But no search box or other toolbar features. Also, the Google toolbar option has now diappeared altogether from the Tools/Toolbars menu.

Any suggestions most appreciated.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: GUEST,Fossil in NZ
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:10 PM

Google have just produced an upgrade of their toolbar and are making you install the new version in order to access all your saved bookmarks and the like. Because they can, I suppose. Might be worth using the links on the main Google page to check for updates and install the new version if you haven't got it already. This solved my problem, which sounded similar to yours. g'luck!

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 04:36 PM

You may find some help in the "other IE8 thread" at IE8 Crash.

IE8 does not play nicely with WinXP, especially if you attempt to remove it, in certain cases. In the beta version, it was not intended to be used with WinXP. No visible comment exists in which Microsoft tells whether IE8 has been made fully compatible with WinXP, but there are now separate download sites at Microsoft for downloading IE8 for the various OS versions. It's not clear whether the Microsoft links all give the same download, but they do give you different instrcutions on how to install or remove IE8.

The links in the above linked post give "official" instructions for removing IE8, and failure to follow the instructions for removal may result in a "broken browser" whether you try to use IE7 or try to reinstall IE8.

The link I've given is to a specific post that makes reference to prior discussion in that thread. Read the whole thread if it's confusing.

I've seen no "new Google" that's required, but then I'm still using IE7 and don't intend to change soon.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:10 PM

Thanks John in K and Fossil in NZ.

The toolbar has now restored itself, with no further action on my part - not even a restart, the thing simply materialised while I was fiddling around with something else.

I'm glad about that, but I wish I knew why.

Grateful for your suggestions though; not for the first time, and unlikely to be the last!

Richard in M.

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 10 - 05:47 PM

You may have told Google that it can upgrade and install the toolbar without reference to you (automatic update), and it did so. Google toolbar has had times earlier this year when it seemed unstable, and they seem to have fixed it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: GUEST,mare20001
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 05:15 PM

My Google is also blank. I have re-installed and still nothing but a gray strip. Why hasn't Google addressed this?

Subject: RE: Tech: Google toolbar there but no icons
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 05:36 PM

"You may find some help in the "other IE8 thread" at IE8 Crash."

No thanks John - I'm waiting for the "MicroGate Drive" Release ... :-P