The Tech Blog of do-my-site

After initially submitting a variety of posts via the Microsoft forums to solve a problem for a client of mine who uses Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7, I decided to solve the issue through scientific problem solving.

My methodology included checking the operating systems of Microsoft XP, Vista, and 7 using IE8 to see which worked with ActiveX and which failed.

Apparently only Microsoft Windows XP continues to work correctly with the remoteAP ActiveX applications that are used by many webcam servers.

Why not use other browsers? Good question but the simply answer is that ActiveX was developed by Microsoft and was considered a security risk from the beginning by the other browsers on the market.

Initially users of Windows Vista and 7 could actually see the web cameras using IE8 but Microsoft then created an update to IE that stopped ActiveX from working properly.

The IE problem begins with requesting the webcam and usually shows the screen turning white and locking up IE.  To end IE you have to use the Windows Task Manager CTRL-ALT-DEL and end the IE task.

The process of the webcam server is to upload the remoteAP ActiveX application to your system and display a screen where the owner can then login.

Microsoft fails Windows Vista and Windows 7 users when it comes to solving this problem.  With Windows 7 users, Microsoft decided that only those who have purchased the Ultimate and Professional packages would have access to install XP MODE.  That means that the majority of users who use the Windows 7 Home and Premium versions are locked out unless they are willing to pay for an upgrade.

The answer for Windows 7 users is to either upgrade and install XP MODE or use a work around, while for Windows Vista try using the following work around.

Windows Vista and 7 ActiveX fix

Windows 7 Home and Premium ActiveX fix