browser address bar search failed!

[George]

In IE 6.0, if I type, for example, cnn, I get page cannot
be displayed, and the search bar changes to read something
like http:///%??20cnn.

Originally this happened about 6 months ago, and I coudnt
fix, not with spybot s&d, ad aware 6.0, repair of IE, and
various reg fixes that people recommended. Then I
switched to roadrunner (brighthouse) and their install
software fixed the problem for about a week, and I could
now search using IE 6.0 browser again as normal, and as I
had been over the past 3 years. Then the problem returned.
1.5 months ago the problem disappeared again, so I saved
my registry a week later, just in case.

Well, the problem is back, after accidentally clicking on
some dating website spam, and going back to my previous
registry did not restore browser back ot normal.

HELP! I will not do quick restore, and already know
ctrl+enter workaround.

 

[H Leboeuf]

Get the new version of AdAware and Spybot.

Try this: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are with
these tools.

Let AD-Aware Scan your system for advertising Spyware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

and:

SpyBot-S&D
http://security.kolla.de/

p.s Reset the 3rd party browser setting.

More:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm