Cannot save new registry setting

[Guest]

Somewhere along the line, following computer OEM instructions to change my IE
homepage, the Start Page line (HKLM-Software-Microsoft-Internet
Explorer-Main) got deleted. IE no longer works from the icon (but does from
the keyboard "Internet" key).

How can I restore that line? If I create a new value (through REGEDIT), it
appears to "take it", but when I go back in, it's gone. I've also tried
doing a restart immediately after exiting REGEDIT. Where am I going wrong?

I'm using Windows XP media edition, version 2002, service pack 2. It's a
new HP machine, only a couple of weeks old. I've run just about every
adware/spyware/malware tool (no change). I've also got Norton Internet
Security 2006.

Any suggestions? I've given up on HP support.

 

[Guest]

Well, this is fairly embarassing - Norton Internet Security 2006 prevents
changes to your home page by "locking out" the Start Page line unless you
turn that feature off. I probably should have know that.