As a result of the Eolas patent, Microsoft has changed the way that Internet Explorer loads ActiveX controls. All interactive controls which are embedded directly within a page must now be activated before they can be used.
An article on MSDN[^] provides instructions on a workaround for this change. The work-around involves creating an external script file for every control instance, which may not be practical in a dynamic site.
Terrence Sheflin, of Dundas Software, recently posted an article[^] and a control which attempts to make the workaround more reusable. However, the control has several problems:
http://www.codeproject.com/aspnet/AutoActivateControl.asp

http://www.ediy.co.nz/click-to-activate-and-use-this-control-fix-for-internet-explorer-xidc20771.html