general tab missing

[Brad Davis]

My question concerns why my general tab for internet
options is gone. When I right click on internet explorer
and go to properties I see securit, privacy, content,
connections, and advanced, but I can not find my general
tab. I recently turned my computer on one day, and opened
my browser and a bunch of links were under my address bar,
and I have MSN for a my home page. I don't have a home
page , I just put about:blank. Can any body tell me how to
get my general tab back, so I can change my home page?

 

[Jon Kennedy]

A registry restriction has been set, and from the sounds of the other things that have happened, this is probably due to some spyware/malware you've picked up from the internet inadvertently. See this site on how to get your General tab back: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/darnit_2.htm#general

Changes as you've described are usually placed there by spyware/malware that's gotten installed on your system. Use Ad-Aware or Spybot Search & Destroy to remove it.

Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spybot: http://security.kolla.de/
(Good site on how to install and use Spybot - http://www.tomcoyote.org/SPYBOT/)

More information here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ - runs a little script when loading page to check for common parasites

If no joy, in IE go to Tools...Internet Options...Advanced tab, Browsing section, uncheck "Enable third-party browser extensions", click Apply, click Okay, reboot. If that solves your problem, then more troubleshooting is needed to find out exactly which program, or Browser Helper Object (BHO) is causing this problem. You don't want to leave it at that, as some BHOs are useful or necessary - like Adobe Acrobat for reading .pdf files or an essential component of Norton AV. Get BHODemon - http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm - read all about BHOs. Disable all items, and then gradually replace one or two at a time to narrow down the culprit.

 

[Ramesh]

Hi Brad,

Refer Fix 268 from Kelly's site:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Restore All tabs in IE and Removes the ** Internet Options ** Restrictions
as well

** The cause may be due to a spyware. Download Ad-Aware from
www.lavasoftusa.com, scan the system and eliminate the malware products.
Re-apply the above if necessary.

Regards,
Ramesh
(e-mail address removed)


My question concerns why my general tab for internet
options is gone. When I right click on internet explorer
and go to properties I see securit, privacy, content,
connections, and advanced, but I can not find my general
tab. I recently turned my computer on one day, and opened
my browser and a bunch of links were under my address bar,
and I have MSN for a my home page. I don't have a home
page , I just put about:blank. Can any body tell me how to
get my general tab back, so I can change my home page?

 

[siljaline]

My question concerns why my general tab for internet
options is gone. When I right click on internet explorer
and go to properties I see securit, privacy, content,
connections, and advanced, but I can not find my general
tab. I recently turned my computer on one day, and opened
my browser and a bunch of links were under my address bar,
and I have MSN for a my home page. I don't have a home
page , I just put about:blank. Can any body tell me how to
get my general tab back, so I can change my home page?

This cause of this phenomenon is yet unknown -

Proceed as follows:

Spyware Removal Tools, Lavasoft's "Ad-aware",
Direct download -
http://ftp.pcworld.com/pub/new/privacy___security/aaw6181.exe

Lavasoft/Ad-aware home: http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Mirror site: http://www.lavasoft.de/

*Also* install and run SpyBot Search & Destroy,
Direct download -
http://spybot.eon.net.au/files/spybotsd_mainapp.exe

SpyBot home: http://security.kolla.de/
SpyBot How-To: http://www.tomcoyote.org/SPYBOT/
More detailed help: http://tomcoyote.org/~mosaic1/spybot/
Support Forum, http://net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi
Navigate to the SpyBot S&D section.

Install, reboot, read FAQ and overview, use online update feature to
obtain the latest reference files, scan for Spyware much like you would
with your pre-installed anti-virus scanner.
Rid your machine of unwanted Spyware pests.

Actions you can take from further events happening.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware.
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm


HTH

--

siljaline

"Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game
because they almost always turn out to be -- or to be indistinguishable from
-- self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time."
- Neil Stephenson, _Cryptonomicon_