IE crashing

[Steven Marzuola]

My parents just got a used computer, Compaq 7630 (I think) with XP
SP2 and IE 6. The first thing I did when they got it home was to
make sure that it had all the security updates, which it does. But
it has another problem that makes it almost unusable. Somehow I
feel that the following are all related:

1. It doesn't allow anybody to log on to Yahoo, unless we use the
"secure" server. Both of my parents and I have been logging onto
Yahoo for years, from several different computers, at friend's
houses, Internet cafes, etc., and never had this happen before.

2. Internet Explorer crashes, a lot. Sometimes it's random, just a
few seconds after it opens. Sometimes it's after I press a key; the
only keys I have pressed are F5 (to refresh) and F6 (to move to the
address bar). Sometimes it crashes when we type in certain
addresses on the address bar. Sometimes, with those same addresses,
it will briefly display the front page of the site, then crash
immediately. I haven't tried enough pages to see a pattern, but two
pages that make it crash almost instantly are www.compaq.com and
www.hp.com (I went to the latter to try and find updated drivers for
an old HP printer).

3. Just as an alternative, I installed Mozilla Firefox 1.0.2. It
seemed to install okay, but I can't get it to start, at least
visibly. It appears in the Task Manager, usually using 40% to 90%
of the CPU time but never creates a visible window. The CPU meter
is never "pegged", it looks something like a doctor's signature.

We're taking it to a store that has solved some problems with
another computer in the past, and without knowing anything else, I
suspect that they're going to end up reinstalling Windows. Anything
else that we should consider first?

Thanks,
Steven Marzuola

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Steven

It sounds as though it may have a malware or other scumware on the system.
Before doing anything else, first make sure that the machine is totally
clean of Trojans and other malware, not just free of adware or spyware,
which is not as damaging as malware. Some forms of malware can replicate
itself repeatedly if not removed properly, so even if you have already run
some programs, run them again according to the instructions below.

In addition to updating and running your AV, download, install and run the
programs below in Safe Mode with Hidden Files enabled and follow all
instructions carefully:

First, Clear the TIF's and empty the recycle bin:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
(The TIF size should be set to 50-60 MB. Larger caches tend to be more prone
to trouble)

Then check to see if the problem still occurs. If so, then do the
following:

WARNING>>>> Backup all documents and files before removing any spyware!!

Download and install BHODemon from
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm
Your problem may be caused by a bad BHO.

Most importantly, download install and run CWShredder here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html
and this program, which searches for hidden .dlls that recreate the malware.
About Buster:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html
Then visit these two sites to test for parasites and help basic cleaning:
On-Line Check
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
and
Quick-Fix Protocol.
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
Basically, throw everything here at your "infection".

Then download, install and immediately update these two programs before
running:

AdAware SE - Update immediately after installing
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
SpyBot S &D - Update immediately after installing
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html

Download pocket killbox from Download pocket killbox from
http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/killbox.exe
and put it on the desktop where you can find it easily

Also download, install, and run HiJackThis - it is one of the very import
tools to clean your system of all scumware. Follow the instructions
carefully:

How to download and install HiJackThis: (it does not need to be updated)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict309.html

Please DO NOT post your log to this newsgroup. It is important that you go
to one of the HiJackThis Support Forums below and allow the experts there
to analyze it for youPlease DO NOT post your log to this newsgroup. It is
important that you go to one of the HiJackThis Support Forums below and
allow the experts there to analyze it for you.::
AumHa HiJackThis Forum
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
or Bleeping Computer Forum
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
to allow the experts there to evaluate your log and advise you of any
necessary steps to clean your system.
(Note: You will have to Register before posting on these Forums. Please
follow all posting instructions carefully to avoid having your log deleted
or ignored.)

Also, please post a link to the forum where you post your HJT log back to
this thread so that we can follow your progress there.

CAUTION!!!!! Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs
below, download a copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
(if your OS is Win2k or XP) The process of removing certain malware may kill
your internet connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will
enable you to regain your connection.

You should also get a copy of WINSOCKXPFIX available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
and
WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
with instructions, at
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
also... From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
(NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)
or Winsock Fix Utility
http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip

How to Restart in Safe Mode
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406

How to Show Hidden Files
http://snipurl.com/6rl8

Hope this helps

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
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[Steven Marzuola]

Jan,

Thanks, I'll try those suggestions before we go to the shop. We
thought this other machine had been reformatted and Windows
reinstalled, so I didn't suspect malware.

I'm familiar with several anti-spyware and anti-virus tools, and
have never had any serious problem on my own computer. So this is a
new experience.

On the bad side, I don't think we have a copy of Windows XP if we
have to reinstall it. My own computer uses 2000, and my parents
have another desktop with SE.

On the good side, there's nothing personal on the "new" hard drive
yet, so there's nothing important to back up.

Thanks again. I'll let you know what works.

Steven

 

[Steven Marzuola]

Update: I ran most of the software recommended by Jan, down to and
including Spybot, plus Webroot Spysweeper. The ONLY thing that any
of them found was a total of about 10 cookies that probably came
from sites I had visited. Nothing else.

I next tried to roll back the Windows XP installation. That window
also crashes just like IE, with no error or warning message.

On a hunch, I used another computer and went to the Compaq site, to
see what OS this model had been shipped with. The web site doesn't
say exactly, but it has BIOS upgrades that are valid for Windows 98,
SE, Me, and 2000. No mention of XP. It also gives a number of
warnings about compatibility with XP.

Back on the problem computer, the BIOS is dated March 2000, (well
before the release of XP in 2001). The XP error log shows several
dozen errors, mostly invalid reference operations (I don't have the
text with me.) Another odd thing, most of the errors appear with
future dates, beginning with April 2005, up through October 2005.

My conclusion for now is that somebody loaned the previous owner a
disk from another machine and he/she upgraded to Windows XP, but
this model is probably incompatible with that OS.

SO, what I'm thinking now, is to update the Compaq BIOS and then
install a full version of Window, either 98 or 2000. Somebody I
know must have it. (We have asked, the original CD-ROM's are
nowhere to be found and don't seem to be offered by Compaq any more.)

Thanks for all the otehr tips. I'll file them away for a future
disaster.

Steven

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Steven

Update: I ran most of the software recommended by Jan, down to and
including Spybot, plus Webroot Spysweeper. The ONLY thing that any of
them found was a total of about 10 cookies that probably came from sites I
had visited. Nothing else.

I next tried to roll back the Windows XP installation. That window also
crashes just like IE, with no error or warning message.

On a hunch, I used another computer and went to the Compaq site, to see
what OS this model had been shipped with. The web site doesn't say
exactly, but it has BIOS upgrades that are valid for Windows 98, SE, Me,
and 2000. No mention of XP. It also gives a number of warnings about
compatibility with XP.

Back on the problem computer, the BIOS is dated March 2000, (well before
the release of XP in 2001). The XP error log shows several dozen errors,
mostly invalid reference operations (I don't have the text with me.)
Another odd thing, most of the errors appear with future dates, beginning
with April 2005, up through October 2005.

My conclusion for now is that somebody loaned the previous owner a disk
from another machine and he/she upgraded to Windows XP, but this model is
probably incompatible with that OS.

SO, what I'm thinking now, is to update the Compaq BIOS and then install a
full version of Window, either 98 or 2000. Somebody I know must have it.
(We have asked, the original CD-ROM's are nowhere to be found and don't
seem to be offered by Compaq any more.)

Thanks for all the otehr tips. I'll file them away for a future disaster.

Steven

You're very welcome! Glad to hear your troubleshooting has at least
narrowed some of the problem areas down.

Thank you for posting back and letting us know what worked for you, and for
the benefit of other readers who might have a similar problem.

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.