If you want to load an image, create an image tag, set its src, append it to the document - the browser will then load it. If you set its class to "x-hide-offsets" it will be rendered offscreen, and you can move it into view, when you are ready.
There's lots of things you can do, it's up to you.
1. Fake query: FFox is fine. IE Not refreshing
2. Change the url with random name: like /bla/bla/math.random(): FFox is fine, IE not refreshing
3. Senda 302 and redirect to somewhere else: Again: IE is not doing it.