Invalid Syntax Error for some pages

[Dan]

Hello everyone,

Just last night IE 6 started giving me an "Invalid syntax error" in the
title bar and saying "The page cannot be displayed." I am not sure what is
going on. I only installed the Netscape 8 browser beta recently and I
uninstalled that too but no luck. The thing is that not every page is
giving me an error. I know News.com doesn't work as well as a few others.
When I click on Windows Update I just get a totally blank white screen as
well. I am running Windows XP Pro SP2 with IE 6 SP2. I have Trend Micro
Internet Security 2005 installed with all updated components. I have also
tried running Ad-Aware and SpyBot but neither turned up anything.

I would REALLY appreciate any help that anyone could give as I am becoming
fairly nervous that there is something wrong with my system. Thank you,

-Dan Orth

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Dan

You may have a hijacker and/or malware on your system. In addition to
updating and running your AV, download, install and run the programs below
in Safe Mode with Hidden Files enabled. This will remove the nasty you
have and any others it may have let in the back door. Some malware can
replicate itself repeatedly if not removed properly, so run them again
according to the information below so that Windows is not operating to hide
any files 'in use' Follow all instructions carefully:

First, Clear the TIF's and empty the recycle bin:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm

Also…empty your Recycle bin.

Then do the following:

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

How to properly scan for scumware (read first, if possible)
http://aumha.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5878

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 About Buster, which searches for hidden .dlls that recreate the malware.
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 three programs before
running:
AdAware SE - Update immediately after installing
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
AdAware Tutorial -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=48
SpyBot S &D - Update immediately after installing
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html
SpyBot S&D Tutorial -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=43
Microsoft Windows Antispyware Program (Beta)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Also download, install and run CWShredder:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3019&file=11&evp=9e0433de9f8fd8e137fd6b3ff02edc90

Next, do an Online scan here (if possible) -
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
Make sure that you choose "fix" or "clean".

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

Download, install, and run HiJackThis - it is one of the most important
tools to help clean your system of 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 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
MS MVP - IE/OE
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:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Dan]

Hi Jan,
I appreciate your help a bunch! Unfortunately I did everything that you
suggested (except the online scans - those webpages wouldn't show up - I
just got the Invalid syntax error) but the problem still persists. Is there
anything else I might try? Could this be caused by something other than
malicious ware? I also am realizing that Window XP SP2's built in firewall
was asking me to unblock alot of programs I use everyday for the first time
today. It was almost like Trend Micro's firewall was not working. Also, I
notice that in Outlook 2003 all of my html emails that contain graphics that
normally just show up on there own were not being displayed unless I
specifically clicked "download images." Thanks again for your help!
-Dan

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Dan

In which forum did you post your HiJackThis log? Could you please post a
link to the forum where you posted it? Also, try this and see if it helps:

Safely Delete the Temporary Internet Files
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm

Hope this helps

Jan
MS MVP - IE/OE
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:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Dan]

Jan,
I actually didn't post it in a forum but ran it through the analyzer at
http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english. It showed nothing
out of the ordinary but if you care to look at it, it is also posted at
www.danielorth.com/hijackthis.log. I did delete all the TIFs as well and
the problem is still there. Thank you for your help!
-Dan

 

[Dan]

Hi Jan, sorry - I meant my log file is at
www.danielorth.com/hijackthis.log.txt. Sorry about that. Thank you for
your time and effort with helping me - I really appreciate it.
-Dan

 

[Dan]

Sorry for the multiple posts but I just found out one more thing - I tried
to download firefox and I got the error:
"your current security settings do not allow this file to be downloaded." I
am not sure how important this is but it definetely started happening at the
same time.
Thanks again,
-Dan

 

[Sandi - Microsoft MVP]

Hi Dan,

First, work through the advice for Windows Update problems:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

Blank page errors:
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers2.htm#blank_windows

The fact that you had a beta browser installed is concerning - especially a
Netscape beta. I've seen some *nasty* stuff from running browser betas.

You may be lucky in that an IE repair may get things sorted:
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers_5.htm#repair_tool

If not, post back.

--

__________________________________________
Hyperlinks used to ensure advice is current
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org

Visit the Internet Explorer Community
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/default.mspx

 

[Dan]

Hi Sandi,
Thank you for your help. I tried as many things as I could from those sites
that you gave me but nothing seemed to work. I really have no idea what is
causing it and I can't even figure out what all the sites have in common
that are showing up with the error.
-Dan

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Dan

Have you tried to do a System Restore to a date before all this started? If
it is a cross up of set ups program conflicts or whatever that is not
related to a 3rd party software problem, then perhaps that would be a way to
sort things out again. A SR would eliminate all the program installs or
mis-installs so that your system would be as it was the date before all the
problems started. Then you can take things slowly, redo the steps one at a
time and see which one may have caused the problem.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q306084/

How to Restore an WinXP system to a previous State using System Restore
http://home.earthlink.net/~mvp_bert/index.html

Hope this helps

Jan
MS MVP - IE/OE
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:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

....

 

[Dan]

Hi Jan,
I just had to redo my computer a little while ago so I didn't have any
restores but I did find the solution!

I had to reregister a dll.

In "Run" I put in "regsvr32 urlmon.dll" and it works fine now!

Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate it!

-Dan

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Dan

Hi Jan,
I just had to redo my computer a little while ago so I didn't have any
restores but I did find the solution!

I had to reregister a dll.

In "Run" I put in "regsvr32 urlmon.dll" and it works fine now!

Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate it!

-Dan

You're very welcome! Glad to hear you were able to resolve your problem.
Good job!

Thank you very much 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
MS MVP - IE/OE
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

 

[Sandi - Microsoft MVP]

Said command being one of the things I recommend you try on my FAQ.
Referring back to your post 24 hours before when you said nothing worked, it
just goes to show we shouldn't skim over FAQs.

--

__________________________________________
Hyperlinks used to ensure advice is current
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org

Visit the Internet Explorer Community
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/default.mspx