IE patches killed internet connection

[Guest]

This morning I installed the cumulative security patch for IE 6 I can no
longer reach the Internet. Fortunately I still have mail because my mail
client is Eudora. Would appreciate help. Am at work now, will pick up mail
when I get home.

The dignostic was "page not found"

 

[PA Bear]

Windows version? Is MS05-052 the only patch you installed?

 

[Guest]

Having the same problem. IE trouble, at first I removed the Google search
bar, which helped, then I downloaded the Service Pack 2, which completely
BSOD my computer, $300 and a week later I am back up with XP, they doubled
the memory to hold the update, but I still can't get but a really really slow
IE, if it loads pages at all. This has been horrible!! I think I hate these
updates. I feel for you completely!!!

 

[Guest]

Having the same problem. IE trouble, at first I removed the Google search
bar, which helped, then I downloaded the Service Pack 2, which completely
BSOD my computer, $300 and a week later I am back up with XP, they doubled
the memory to hold the update, but I still can't get but a really really slow
IE, if it loads pages at all. This has been horrible!! I think I hate these
updates. I feel for you completely!!!

 

[PA Bear]

1. Uninstall SP2 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.

2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783

 

[Guest]

Thanks, and I should have said XP Home, SP1, all urgent security patches
applies. IE 6.0, regularly updated. Cable modem. Now have Firefox so I can
reach this group.

Looked at prior posts, but I don't have tge same KB numbers that have been
reported previously as being trouble.

I downloaded the patch for handling bad software, and one other, as well as
the cumulative patch. Did not download the patch involveing French language.
Will never download again wo making a screen clip first.

Thought of uninstalling patches with high KB numbers, but was put off by the
nunber of programs said to be affected. Could use advice , here, too.

Many thanks.

 

[PA Bear]

NB: WinXP SP2 is considered a Critical Security Update (your "security
patch")...but I wouldn't install it just yet. See below.

Running WinXP SP1, I would advise you to install all nine (9) of the Oct-05
updates. Though only three (3) are considered critical (MS05-050, MS05-051,
MS05-052), the others address important security vulnerabilities, Ellen.

Furthermore, I suggest you enable & use Automatic Updates to make certain
your machine is always fully patched:

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306525

Now, back to your problems. If uninstalling 'Security Update for Windows
XP - 896688' via Add/Remove Programs & rebooting does fix your problem, I
would suspect that the Malicious Software Removal Tool (your "patch for
removing bad software") removed some "hijackware" and either some "bad guys"
remain or the removed "bad guys" broke something. You need to check for
more "hijackware":

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware. **Post
your log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html or http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
(where I'm a moderator) for expert analysis, not here.**

Once everything's hunky-dory (and I want the opinion of a HijackThis log
expert before assuming so), then you should immediately go to Windows Update
and install WinXP SP2. After reboot, return to Windows Update and install
all critical updates offered you.

 

[Guest]

I do enable & use Automatic Updates to make certain
your machine is always fully patched. Something odd seems to have happened
on OCT 12 - I thought that I had downloaded 896688, but something failed,
because that security patch is not on my machine.

Would a list of all the patches be helpful? And how dangerous is it to
uninstall security patches?

I have cleaned the machine as I described in posting my log, which is the
state of the machine right now, and I will install the 4 security patches
that are pending in Automatic updates.

 

[Guest]

I do enable & use Automatic Updates to make certain
my machine is always fully patched. Something odd seems to have happened
on OCT 12 - I thought that I had downloaded 896688, but something failed,
because that security patch is not on my machine.

Would a list of all the patches be helpful? And how dangerous is it to
uninstall security patches?

I have cleaned the machine as I described in posting my log, which is the
state of the machine right now, and I went to the microsoft site to get critical updates that might have gotten lost in the present confusion. But I can't reach the the update site from Firefox, and my IE only shows 'page not found" Any workaround?

Thanks again, Ellen

 

[PA Bear]

I do enable & use Automatic Updates to make certain

your machine is always fully patched.

Then why haven't you accepted the install of SP2? NB: Don't install it now.
Wait till you know you're hijackware-free.

Why did you only install three (3) patches when Automatic Updates would have
offered you 9 of them?

I thought that I had downloaded 896688, but something failed,
because that security patch is not on my machine.

'Security Update for Windows XP - 896688' is not found in Add/Remove
Programs?

how dangerous is it to uninstall security patches?

Uninstalling patches isn't dangerous, running without them could be.

I have cleaned the machine as I described in posting my log

Where did you post your HijackThis log? Can you give me a URL to the forum
thread?

I will install the 4 security patches that are pending in Automatic
updates.

Only 4, and they're pending? You probably need to install all of them &
reboot in order for all of them, including 896688, to appear in Add/Remove
Programs, Ellen.

In your case, I'd go to Windows Update and choose Custom Install, and then
install all patches offered except for SP2.

 

[Guest]

Posted log to http://aumha.net/search.php?search_author=EllenB

Then why haven't you accepted the install of SP2? NB: Don't install it now.
Wait till you know you're hijackware-free.

Fear. A friend had her machines crash and I've been putting it off until
another school break.

Why did you only install three (3) patches when Automatic Updates would have
offered you 9 of them?

There were only 4 patches offered. One of them had to do with a French
language utility, and I didn't download that one. One was the malicious
spyware tool, one was the cumulative security pack,; I don't remember the
3rd. I attempted to install 3 of those 4 patches, and IE went into "page not
found" mode. Later, Auto Update reoffered the security update, but I was
afraid to make a bad situation worse. I have since set Auto Update to resend
any patch I had previously refused, but none sent. I also went to
Microsoft.com to try to download manually, but I have to use Firefox to
reach the site, since IE is dead, and I can't use Firefox to download patches.

I was away most of August, might have missed something then?

'Security Update for Windows XP - 896688' is not found in Add/Remove
Programs?
No

Uninstalling patches isn't dangerous, running without them could be.


Where did you post your HijackThis log? Can you give me a URL to the forum
thread?

Right after my previous post Auto Update dissappeared. That's why I went to
the website to download.

Only 4, and they're pending? You probably need to install all of them &
reboot in order for all of them, including 896688, to appear in Add/Remove
Programs, Ellen.

In your case, I'd go to Windows Update and choose Custom Install, and then
install all patches offered except for SP2.

Will try that. Lack of IE might be a problem. Any point in reinstalling IE
from original CD? After someone checks hijack log?

Thanks again
Ellen

 

[PA Bear]

I'll try to drop in on your forum thread.

You weren't clear previously that IE wasn't working. Yes, you *must* use IE
to download/install from Windows Update manually, so don't even try using
Firefox.

Q: Have you installed Microsoft Update? (If so, it'd be listed in your
Start menu.)

 

[Guest]

Yes, I have C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\muweb.dll,LaunchMUSite installed.

Apologies for not being clear that IE wasn't working. Appreciate your help
more than you can know.

Ellen

 

[PA Bear]

Do you have this?...

Start > Microsoft Update (towards the top, where'll you'll find WIndows
Update listed, too)

 

[Guest]

Didn't when I got this post, now do. There was a shortcut icon in
/Douments.../all users/ for Microsoft Update and I dragged it onto the Start
menu. Its target is :

C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
Clicking os Start > Microsoft Updates gives "page not found"

 

[Guest]

Second reply -

Won't bore you with how I got from what you told me to checking out what my
firwall was doing, but Norton had either set itself or been set by malware to
block IE totally. Fixed it, Microsoft update works, downloaded every patch
exept SP2. Want to hear results of log check and do some backups first.

Very grateful to you for your help, to Jim for running thae site, and to the
whole community for supporting the rest of us.

Ellen

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

Second reply -

Won't bore you with how I got from what you told me to checking out
what my firwall was doing, but Norton had either set itself or been
set by malware to block IE totally. Fixed it, Microsoft update works,
downloaded every patch exept SP2. Want to hear results of log check
and do some backups first.

Very grateful to you for your help, to Jim for running thae site, and
to the whole community for supporting the rest of us.

Ellen

Norton strikes again!

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

 

[PA Bear]

I only asked if you had such a shortcut, I did not suggest that you create
one, Ellen. If you have Microsoft Update (vs. Windows Update) installed, a
shortcut to it will be found in the Start menu.

Delete the shortcut you placed there.