Google and Service Pack-3

[Stu]

Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as well as
other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it returns
some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on "Preferences"
then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to Windows
XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
Has anyone ever heard of this?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

 

[Stu]

I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some setting in
IE that the update automatically changed?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background when you
installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?

Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform), reboot,
and see if the behavior persists.

 

[smlunatick]

Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as wellas
other search engines).  When I search for something using Google, it returns
some obscure, but remotely related sites.  If I then click on "Preferences"
then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
and things are working correctly.  Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
again.  All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to Windows
XP pro.  Did something get set wrong during the installation?  I've gone
through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
Has anyone ever heard of this?

I know that Google works well with SP3 since I am using it with SP3
now. You need to check the "add-ons" you are using in IE.

 

[Stu]

First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. I
uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange behavior.
When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got a
warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I didn't
remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
problem?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Have you downloaded and run the Norton Removal Tool yet? If not, do so
immediately:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

[Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly!]

What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
enabled?

Don't uninstall anything else, especially any .NET Framework versions!

 

[smlunatick]

First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation.  I
uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus.  I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
many commercials and not very helpful.  I still have the strange behavior.
When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
with.  Microsoft.net Framework 2.0.  I was going to remove it, but I got a
warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I didn't
remove it.  Do you think this could be something that could cause my
problem?

..Net Frameworks are updates from Microsoft. They should be there
since MS i attempting to give a "standard" "programming" platform for
other application providers. I know that Nero requires a .Net
Framework as well as ATi Catalyst Control Center.

 

[Stu]

Well, I did the removal tool from Symantec, no change. So I went back to a
restore point from before I installed even SP-2!! Still no change in
behavior. I'm considering reloading XP-Pro, I don't know what else to do
I'll let you know the results.

Stu

Have you downloaded and run the Norton Removal Tool yet? If not, do so
immediately:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

[Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly!]

What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
enabled?

Don't uninstall anything else, especially any .NET Framework versions!
--
~PA Bear

First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. I
uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange behavior.
When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got a
warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I
didn't
remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
problem?

 

[Stu]

Hello again.

I copied the URL for both the "strange behavior" and the correct behavior
for a search for 'ExMark Explorer'. This is a type of commericial lawn
mower. If someone wouldn't mind trying both URL's and see if they don't
return different results.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=exmark+explorer&btnG=Google+Search
This is the one with the strange results.
http://www.google.com/search?q=exmark+explorer&btnG=Google+Search
This gives the right results. As you can see, there are a few extra
"digits" in the strange one.

Stu

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Repost:

What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
enabled?

Well, I did the removal tool from Symantec, no change. So I went back to
a
restore point from before I installed even SP-2!! Still no change in
behavior. I'm considering reloading XP-Pro, I don't know what else to do
I'll let you know the results.

Stu

Have you downloaded and run the Norton Removal Tool yet? If not, do so
immediately:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

[Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly!]

What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
enabled?

Don't uninstall anything else, especially any .NET Framework versions!
--
~PA Bear

First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. I
uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be
too
many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange
behavior.
When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got
a
warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I
didn't
remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
problem?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
firewall
(if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background
when
you
installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?

Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform),
reboot, and see if the behavior persists.
--
~PA Bear


Stu wrote:
I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some
setting
in
IE that the update automatically changed?


Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the
problem?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available
for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go
to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select
"Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Stu wrote:
Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
well
as
other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
returns
some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
"Preferences"
then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
Google
and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use
"Advanced
Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
thing
again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
Windows
XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've
gone
through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
correct.
Has anyone ever heard of this?

 

[Daave]

I copied the URL for both the "strange behavior" and the correct
behavior
for a search for 'ExMark Explorer'. This is a type of commericial
lawn
mower. If someone wouldn't mind trying both URL's and see if they
don't
return different results.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=exmark+explorer&btnG=Google+Search
This is the one with the strange results.
http://www.google.com/search?q=exmark+explorer&btnG=Google+Search
This gives the right results. As you can see, there are a few extra
"digits" in the strange one.

I'm running XP Home, SP2 with IE7 (version 7.0.5730.13).

Although the results are identical for me, the links in the first are
blue while the links in the second are red. This might be a function of
AVG antivirus, but I'm not sure.

Why not use quotation marks? Your results will be much fewer but more
accurate (at lwast they should be).

Oh, I just remembered! I am using a different address for Google these
days (to eliminate the annoying behavior of terms popping up in the
search box:

http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0

The results are idetical still.(And they're in red, FWIW.)

Have you cleared your cache?

How about a different browser? Off By One is a great one to test with:

http://offbyone.com/offbyone/

(Interestingly, using OB1, the links are read and blue! They're blue
except for the search terms, which are in red.)

And, as PA Bear pointed out, you need to rule out malware of *all*
sorts. Which programs are you running?

Finally, what are your "Global Preferences"? Do you clear your cookies
frequently? Are cookies enabled?

 

[Stu]

Sometimes we overlook the obvious... I deleted TIF's and everything is
working fine!! I tried to increase the amount of disc space used, since I
seemed to have filled it up in just a few days, but it won't let me go past
31454 mb. This is only about 1/4th of the way across the slider bar. Is
this normal? I have a 320 gig hard drive, although I just looked at the
properties of c:\ and it only shows it to be 127 gig capacity. Oh No!! a
new problem?

 

[Daave]

I have a 320 gig hard drive, although I just looked at the
properties of c:\ and it only shows it to be 127 gig capacity.
Oh No!! a new problem?

In another post, you stated:

So I went back to a restore point from before I installed even
SP-2!!

Are you running at Gold (pre-SP1)?

Look here:

"The 127gb limit and how to fix it":
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=hdd_lim