Help!! - very strange problem with IE6

[J. C.]

Recently, I reinstalled WinXP and reformatted the drive I had the XP on
during the re-install. Everything went well. I activated windows, signed
in to my MSN account and downloaded WinXP SP2. This took forever because of
dial-up. Did the XP SP2 install and all seemed well. Then I signed in MSN
without problems. Launched IE6 and started to surf by typing into the
address bar. IE6 allows me to go to the page I request, but only 1 time.
After that, it crashes out.

Now, he's the really strange thing. If I type in www.cnn.com in the address
bar after the first time, I notice on the status bar at the bottom of the
page that it's searching for www.www.cnn.com.com So, in other words, it
places "www" as the prefix and ".com, .net, .org" as the suffix before it
says "IE could not open search page" It actually cycles through ALL the
suffixes before crashing. I realize the problem isn't it not displaying the
page, but rather it thinks it's looking for www.www.cnn.com.org or whatever.

Has anyone seen this problem and can anyone help me solve it. The current
version of IE I'm using is 6 with a build of
6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_xp2_rtm.040803-2158. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi J. C.

Try the following and see if it helps:

Restore Search:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG
This will restore your default Search functionality. You will, however,
have to restore any custom setups you may have had before.

Download the fix - Reset Search:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/IEFIX.reg
This will restore your default Search functionality. However, if you had
any custom adjustments you have made will have to re-select them.

If that does not resolve the problem, then you have scumware on your system:

First., download and install BHODemon from
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm
Your problem may be caused by a bad BHO.

If this does not resolve the problem, the do the following:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/devioussoftware.mspx
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx
Most importantly, be sure to run CWShredder here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html
Also this program searches for hidden .dlls that recreate the malware.
About Buster:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html
Then visit these two sites to test for parasites and help basic cleaning:
On-Line Check
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
and
Quick-Fix Protocol.
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
Basically, throw everything here at your "infection".

Also download and install HiJackThis -

How to download and install HiJackThis:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict309.html

Please DO NOT post your log to this newsgroup, but to the HiJackThis Support
Forums below:
AumHa HiJackThis Forum
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
or Bleeping Computer Forum
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
to allow the experts there to evaluate your log and advise you of any
necessary steps to clean your system.
(Note: You will have to Register before posting on these Forums. Please
follow all posting instructions carefully to avoid having your log deleted
or ignored.

CAUTION!!!!! Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs
below, download a copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
(if your OS is Win2k or XP) The process of removing certain malware may kill
your internet connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will
enable you to regain your connection.

You should also get a copy of WINSOCKXPFIX available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
and
WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
with instructions, at
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
also….. From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
(NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)
or Winsock Fix Utility
http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip

Hope this helps

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[PA Bear]

Had you taken care of everything on these two web-sites before otherwise
connecting to the internet?

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

(Courtesy of MVP Mike Burgess) Try this registry fix:

http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/RepairDefaultPrefix.reg

After downloading, right-click and merge.

Then, spend some time reading...

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

 

[J. C.]

How could I still have spyware on the machine if I reformatted during the
WinXP install? This was my entire reason for trashing the drive.

 

[PA Bear]

All it takes is one minute online with an unpatched machine running without
a firewall. And there have been instances of BIOS infection, in which case
you can reformat/reinstall till the cows come home and still be infected.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (Shell, IE/OE) & Security

In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol (1935-2005)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/nichol.mspx