Cannot Download with IE6 under Win XP Pro SP2 & Zonealarm Security

[ocar23]

In recent days I have had problems downloading from some sites. The Popup
which is meant to ask permission to Download File does not stay up long
enough to click on. The Save to Location Dialog Box does not appear in its
true form but is replaced by a similar Box that shows the file downloading to
no particular location and no filename. This runs for a few moments then this
message appears "Internet Explorer cannot download GoogleToolbarInstaller.exe
from dl.google.com. (Example) Internet Explorer was not able to open this
Internet Site. The requested site is either unavailable or cannot be found.
Please try again later. Same problem occurrs on other sites also, including
microsoft.com. RAR & ZIP file types have "Confirm open after Download Box" is
checked. However, one does not always know what the file type is when trying
to download software from a site. At other times, after attempting to catch
the Download Popup, the next page appears say "Thanks for Downloading so & so
file" as if the Download has happened. I thought it may be Zonealarm
interferring so I took the chance and stopped it from running, but this made
no difference. Same goes for Google Toolbar which I uninstalled.
Your advice would be much appreciated.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

If a "download manager" is installed, uninstall it. Otherwise...

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

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

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://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

In recent days I have had problems downloading from some sites. The Popup
which is meant to ask permission to Download File does not stay up long
enough to click on. The Save to Location Dialog Box does not appear in its
true form but is replaced by a similar Box that shows the file downloading
to
no particular location and no filename. This runs for a few moments then
this
message appears "Internet Explorer cannot download
GoogleToolbarInstaller.exe
from dl.google.com. (Example) Internet Explorer was not able to open this
Internet Site. The requested site is either unavailable or cannot be
found.
Please try again later. Same problem occurrs on other sites also,
including
microsoft.com. RAR & ZIP file types have "Confirm open after Download Box"
is
checked. However, one does not always know what the file type is when
trying
to download software from a site. At other times, after attempting to
catch
the Download Popup, the next page appears say "Thanks for Downloading so &
so
file" as if the Download has happened. I thought it may be Zonealarm
interferring so I took the chance and stopped it from running, but this
made
no difference. Same goes for Google Toolbar which I uninstalled.
Your advice would be much appreciated.

I know of three causes for the vast majority of such problems:
1. You might have incompatible add-ons:
Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools
and click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

2. Tools | Internet Options | Advanced
Scroll to the bottom and click Reset Internet Explorer Settings. Read this
article first:
How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737
Note that the Reset IE Settings button will delete AutoComplete data (such
as passwords.) Do you have those backed up?

3. Malware already installed on the computer: Help with malware
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for
malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince you that you
owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

You might also try the steps here:
"Internet Explorer stops responding, stops working, or restarts"
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/pc_ie_intro

 

[ocar23]

Thank you for replies.
The Links in the reply email do not work.
I have no Download Manager Installed.
I ran Malicious Software Removal Tool June 2008 - No Infections.
Resetting Internet Explorer 6 Default Settings allowed me to perform
required downloads from microsoft.com and google.com and in both cases the
Save to Dialog Box came up as it always had in the past.
However, trying to download from some other sites that I have previously
downloaded from still presented problems. When I click on the File Download
Link, the Information Bar Dialog Box appears, but before I am able to click
"OK", and before I can read the PopUp Message, the next page comes up while
the Info Bar Diaglog Box is still on the screen and the new page says "Thanks
for Downloading File So & So".
Although there is some improvement, the problem is not totally resolved. Any
further advice will be most appreciated.
Thank you
Owen Carlton

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

Thank you for replies.
The Links in the reply email do not work.
I have no Download Manager Installed.
I ran Malicious Software Removal Tool June 2008 - No Infections.
Resetting Internet Explorer 6 Default Settings allowed me to perform
required downloads from microsoft.com and google.com and in both cases the
Save to Dialog Box came up as it always had in the past.
However, trying to download from some other sites that I have previously
downloaded from still presented problems. When I click on the File
Download
Link, the Information Bar Dialog Box appears, but before I am able to
click
"OK", and before I can read the PopUp Message, the next page comes up
while
the Info Bar Diaglog Box is still on the screen and the new page says
"Thanks
for Downloading File So & So".

MSRT is definitely NOT a thorough check for malware.

Do a _thorough_ check for malware, following ALL of the steps at one of
these Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.