Mime-type problems with IE and wikipedia

Question

If I search for something on wikipedia with google and try to click through to one of the articles, IE8 prompts me to download the page as it doesn't understand the mime-type.

This has not always been the case. It started about 2 weeks ago. I had not changed any settings or installed any software. At the time I checked my windows restore points and there were none within a few weeks of the symptom occuring.

Does anyone have any possible explanation for such behaviour?

32bit Vista SP2, IE8

UPDATE

OK. So this only happens when I try to click through to Wikipedia from some other site. If I type wikipedia.org into my address bar and hit return it shows the page no problem.

Answer 1

I try guessing:
If you go to "Tools -> Internet Options -> Programs -> Manage Add-ons" you can see (using the "Show" drop-down box) which add-ons are currently loaded. Maybe IE does not load the appropriate add-on when needed. Have a look, if you can force it to do so.

Answer 2

First, have you tried to reproduce the issue by running Internet Explorer 8 in safe mode? I believe there is a shortcut in your start menu. If the problem doesn't occur in safe mode, then start to eliminate add-ons... (If you can't find the safe-mode option just skip to the add-ons section)

Add-Ons

You can modify add-ons by:

1. Use alt key to bring up the drop down menu.
2. Click on Tools -> Manage Add-Ons -> Enable / Disable Add ons.

You should then be looking at a page like the following.

From there, disable / remove any odd, unusual or unwanted add ons. If the problem continues to persist, I'd disable all add-ons to see if it resolves the actual problem.