Home page

[Christoph]

Whenever I click the 'Home' button, not only does it load up 'about:blank'
but it also changes my home page (in Tools -> Internet Options) to that as
well. I have only 1 home page URL set up to Google. When I reset it, close
the browser and re-open it, my home page comes up as expected. But as soon
as I hit the 'Home' button on the toolbar, it's wiped out and replaced with
'about:blank'. Why is this happening and how can I make it work normally?

thnx,
Christoph

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Christoph

This is possibly being caused by third party programs-

If you have Google, Yahoo or other 3rd party toolbars installed, disable or
uninstall them. If you have the Yahoo Companion installed, uninstall it.

Also, malware/parasites are well known for causing such problems:

From Control Panel> Internet Options> Advanced> uncheck "Enable third
party browser extensions."
If this allows IE to work, then you still have scumware on your system.
First clean you machine, then Disable the "third party browser extensions."
after the cleanup.

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

......and go here and have this free online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Hope this helps.

Jan
MS MVP - Windows IE [AumHa]
Data/Comp Technology
www.datacomptech.com
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]

Windows and IE versions?

Options/settings in several third-party applications may be disallowing the
change. These include Ad-aware's Ad-Watch, Spybot Tea Timer, SpywareBlaster,
SpySweeper, Norton AntiVirus, McAfee VirusScan and/or Antispyware, and Zone
Alarm (Free and Pro).

 

[Christoph]

If you have Google, Yahoo or other 3rd party toolbars installed, disable

or uninstall them. If you have the Yahoo Companion installed, uninstall
it.
Also, malware/parasites are well known for causing such problems:
From Control Panel> Internet Options> Advanced> uncheck "Enable third
party browser extensions."

I tried this and that didn't fix the problem.

If this allows IE to work, then you still have scumware on your system.
First clean you machine, then Disable the "third party browser
extensions." after the cleanup.
"Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites"
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
.....and go here and have this free online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Did all this and nothing found. I wasn't too terribly surprised about that
because this is a relatively new installation -- WinXP and SP2.

After doing a bit more digging, I think I see what the problem is, although
I'm not at all sure how to go about fixing it. In the registry, in each of
the
following paths:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

there *should* be an entry for "Start Page"; it's missing. Every time I try
to
add a new string value called "Start Page", I get the following error:

"Cannot edit Start page: Error reading the value's contents."

I get the same thing regardless of which path I try to add it to. I've
checked the
permissions and it definitely looks like I should be able to do this. In
fact, I can
add any other string value and edit that registry entry, just not one called
"Start
Page".

Why is this occuring? Why am I not allowed to create/edit just the "Start
Page"
entry?

thnx,
Chris

 

[Guest]

I tried this and that didn't fix the problem.


Did all this and nothing found. I wasn't too terribly surprised about that
because this is a relatively new installation -- WinXP and SP2.

After doing a bit more digging, I think I see what the problem is, although
I'm not at all sure how to go about fixing it. In the registry, in each of
the
following paths:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

there *should* be an entry for "Start Page"; it's missing. Every time I try
to
add a new string value called "Start Page", I get the following error:

"Cannot edit Start page: Error reading the value's contents."

I get the same thing regardless of which path I try to add it to. I've
checked the
permissions and it definitely looks like I should be able to do this. In
fact, I can
add any other string value and edit that registry entry, just not one called
"Start
Page".

Why is this occuring? Why am I not allowed to create/edit just the "Start
Page"
entry?

thnx,

Hi Chris,
Just to be sure what you can see in the registry, do you see these entries:

[ab] Default _Page_URL REG_SZ
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome

[ab] Default_Search_url REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

[ab] Local Page REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\System32\blank.htm

[ab] Search Page REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

[ab] Start Page REG_SZ http://www.
microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&pver={SUB_PVER }&ar=home (you
said that doesn't exist)

Do you Right click on an Empty Space in the Right Pane to create new String
Value and also did you loged as admin?.

Do you have Protection programs that block or prevent changing the Registry
on your computer?. Try and do your changes/Editing in Safe Mode to eliminate
Software intervention.
HTH.
Please let us know.
Regards,
nass

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Christoph

Nass has some good questions for you, so check that out and let's see what
happens with that.

Jan
MS MVP - Windows IE [AumHa]
Data/Comp Technology
www.datacomptech.com
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

 

[Christoph]

Hi Chris,
Just to be sure what you can see in the registry, do you see these
entries:
[ab] Default _Page_URL REG_SZ
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Default_Search_url REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Local Page REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\System32\blank.htm

This entry exists and has the same value

[ab] Search Page REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Start Page REG_SZ http://www.
microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&pver={SUB_PVER }&ar=home (you
said that doesn't exist)

This entry did not exist.

Do you have Protection programs that block or prevent changing the
Registry
on your computer?.

No, not that I am aware of. I am part of a domain, however, though I am set
up with administrator priviledges on this machine.

Try and do your changes/Editing in Safe Mode to eliminate Software
intervention.

This worked. Additionally, after I rebooted in normal mode, when I tried to
edit the value of that entry, now that it actually exists, I get no error.
Also, it wasn't as if I got an error when adding new entries in any of those
paths. It was *only* when I tried to add an entry called 'Start Page'. If
I tried to add any other entry and/or if I deleted and recreated an existing
entry, I was perfectly free to do so and encountered no error.

In any case, problem solved and I really appreciate the help of all those
who gave it!

thnx,
Christoph

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your feedback and glad it sorted out for you, good luck.
Regards,
nass
--------------
www.nasstec.co.uk

If you have Google, Yahoo or other 3rd party toolbars installed,
disable
or uninstall them. If you have the Yahoo Companion installed,
uninstall
it.
Also, malware/parasites are well known for causing such problems:

Hi Chris,
Just to be sure what you can see in the registry, do you see these
entries:
[ab] Default _Page_URL REG_SZ
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Default_Search_url REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Local Page REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\System32\blank.htm

This entry exists and has the same value

[ab] Search Page REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Start Page REG_SZ http://www.
microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&pver={SUB_PVER }&ar=home (you
said that doesn't exist)

This entry did not exist.

Do you have Protection programs that block or prevent changing the
Registry
on your computer?.

No, not that I am aware of. I am part of a domain, however, though I am set
up with administrator priviledges on this machine.

Try and do your changes/Editing in Safe Mode to eliminate Software
intervention.

This worked. Additionally, after I rebooted in normal mode, when I tried to
edit the value of that entry, now that it actually exists, I get no error.
Also, it wasn't as if I got an error when adding new entries in any of those
paths. It was *only* when I tried to add an entry called 'Start Page'. If
I tried to add any other entry and/or if I deleted and recreated an existing
entry, I was perfectly free to do so and encountered no error.

In any case, problem solved and I really appreciate the help of all those
who gave it!

thnx,
Christoph

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Christoph

You're very welcome! I'm very glad to hear you were able to resolve your
problem. Good job!

Thank you very much for posting back and letting us know what worked for
you, and for the benefit of other readers who might have a similar problem.

Jan
MS MVP - Windows IE/OE [DTS/AumHa]
Data/Comp Technology
www.datacomptech.com
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

If you have Google, Yahoo or other 3rd party toolbars installed,
disable
or uninstall them. If you have the Yahoo Companion installed,
uninstall
it.
Also, malware/parasites are well known for causing such problems:

Hi Chris,
Just to be sure what you can see in the registry, do you see these
entries:
[ab] Default _Page_URL REG_SZ
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Default_Search_url REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Local Page REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\System32\blank.htm

This entry exists and has the same value

[ab] Search Page REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

This entry exists but has a different value

[ab] Start Page REG_SZ http://www.
microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&pver={SUB_PVER }&ar=home (you
said that doesn't exist)

This entry did not exist.

Do you have Protection programs that block or prevent changing the
Registry
on your computer?.

No, not that I am aware of. I am part of a domain, however, though I am
set up with administrator priviledges on this machine.

Try and do your changes/Editing in Safe Mode to eliminate Software
intervention.

This worked. Additionally, after I rebooted in normal mode, when I tried
to edit the value of that entry, now that it actually exists, I get no
error. Also, it wasn't as if I got an error when adding new entries in any
of those paths. It was *only* when I tried to add an entry called 'Start
Page'. If I tried to add any other entry and/or if I deleted and
recreated an existing entry, I was perfectly free to do so and encountered
no error.

In any case, problem solved and I really appreciate the help of all those
who gave it!

thnx,
Christoph

 

[mikvi]

Thanks nass,

Your suggestions worked for me too..."Adware.SpySheriff" seemed to have
caused the original problem...I did everything including upgrading to
IE7...still couldn't get "Start Page" to stick in the registry...Then
tried it in safe mode and it worked perfectly...
Thanks,
Mike

I tried this and that didn't fix the problem.


Did all this and nothing found. I wasn't too terribly surprised about that
because this is a relatively new installation -- WinXP and SP2.

After doing a bit more digging, I think I see what the problem is, although
I'm not at all sure how to go about fixing it. In the registry, in each of
the
following paths:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

there *should* be an entry for "Start Page"; it's missing. Every time I try
to
add a new string value called "Start Page", I get the following error:

"Cannot edit Start page: Error reading the value's contents."

I get the same thing regardless of which path I try to add it to. I've
checked the
permissions and it definitely looks like I should be able to do this. In
fact, I can
add any other string value and edit that registry entry, just not one called
"Start
Page".

Why is this occuring? Why am I not allowed to create/edit just the "Start
Page"
entry?

thnx,

Hi Chris,
Just to be sure what you can see in the registry, do you see these entries:

[ab] Default _Page_URL REG_SZ
http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome

[ab] Default_Search_url REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

[ab] Local Page REG_EXPAND_SZ %SystemRoot%\System32\blank.htm

[ab] Search Page REG_SZ http://www.microsoft.com/
isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=iesearch

[ab] Start Page REG_SZ http://www.
microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&pver={SUB_PVER }&ar=home (you
said that doesn't exist)

Do you Right click on an Empty Space in the Right Pane to create new String
Value and also did you loged as admin?.

Do you have Protection programs that block or prevent changing the Registry
on your computer?. Try and do your changes/Editing in Safe Mode to eliminate
Software intervention.
HTH.
Please let us know.
Regards,
nass