IE won't open

[JR]

I went to my neighbor to install WinXP Service Pack 2 and found when I
attempted to open
Internet Explorer I received an error message, "Microsoft Internet Explorer
has encountered a
Problem and Need To Close" There is a button below asking you to send an
error report.

It all started when her Home page set as a blank page started coming up with
Microsoft
MSN website which she did not want.. She went to Tools, Options and
attempted to change
back to a blank page and this started happening..

I did a scan with Spybot but there was nothing.. I did a full virus scan and
her system was
clean.. I did a restore to an earlier date and the browser came up with the
MSN webpage
but again, when I attempted to change it to Blank Page the error message
pops up and I
can't open Internet Explorer..

It doesn't seem like a situation where the home page has been hijacked but
it is really
frustrating..

Anyone got any ideas?

Is there a way to easily change the Registry to reset IE's home page to
Blank Page?

Thanks

Jack

PS.. I installed Service Pack 2 thinking that may have had something that
would correct the
problem but the error message still comes up..

 

[Jan Il]

Hi JR

You may have a hijacker, malware, spyware or parasites on your system
causing this problem. In addition to running your updated anti-virus
program, you should do the following to be sure none of these are present on
your system. Running SpyBot alone will not remove other types of malware as
it does not have all those definitions. Some variants of malware can
replicate themselves over and over if not removed properly. Please follow
all instructions carefully to be sure your system is thoroughly cleaned:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Be sure to run CWShredder, Ad-aware and Spybot.
Also be sure to use the HijackThis. Please do not post your log to this
newsgroup, but to the SpywareInfo or the Aumha HiJackThis forums
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30, to allow the experts there to
evaluate your log and advise you of the necessary steps to clean your
system.

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.

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
Also, 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
also ....
(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

Also.........

Courtesy of Jim Byrd -

Download Sysclean.com, from Trend Micro, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp along with the latest pattern
file, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp
Be sure to read the "How-to" info here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt
You might also want to get Art's updater, SYS-UP.Zip, here for future
updating of these: http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/.
(If you download and use the updater from the beginning, it will
automatically handle downloading the other files. Place them in a dedicated
folder after appropriate unzipping, and then run. This scan may take a long
time, as Sysclean is VERY extensive and thorough

and......

NOTE: If you can not download these programs from the Internet, if your PC
has CD read capabilities, go to another computer with CD-ROM burning
capabilities. Create a folder on the hard drive of the other computer called
HOLD, download the programs to that folder, then burn that folder to a CD.
Copy the HOLD folder to your HD and then install the programs from there
and run them. After you have IE access again, update all programs where
possible to get the latest definitions and run them again in Safe Mode to be
sure there are no lingering items on the system.

also...........

Additional information on how to protect your PC:
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
More security tips at http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

So how did I get infected in the first place?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.ph...ghlight=&sid=53751d8ff5915261af727df08e66ce0d
or
http://snipurl.com/980t

You might also want to review this article on the SP2:

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx


If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

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

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.

How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[JR]

Thank you for the very complete reply.. I certainly appreciate your
response..

I will d/l the programs you suggest and make a CD to take over to
my neighbors to attempt a solution to the problem..

 

[Jan Il]

Hi JR

Thank you for the very complete reply.. I certainly appreciate your
response..

I will d/l the programs you suggest and make a CD to take over to
my neighbors to attempt a solution to the problem..

You're very welcome. Let us know how it works out.

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