IE 6 (SP1) Apps Entry

[Larry S.]

I recently (with some difficulty) upgraded to IE 6 (SP1). since then
Explorer will not launch to display .jpg files (a message window appears
asking for the location of iexplorer.exT (cap is my emphasis) .. Installation
log for IE 6 SP1 shows an entry of "Apps Entry Point = iexplore.exT" which
should probably be ".exe" but I have no confirmation of that .. also can't
find any reference with search of text or file name for that file .. any
ideas how to fix this problem!!
Thanks, Larry S.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Windows version?

 

[Larry S.]

Hi PA Bear??
Win2000Pro .. just couldn't bring myself to replace something that wasn't
broke!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I need a more-specific Windows version (e.g., Win2K SP4), please.

Also tell me how you installed IE6 (e.g., via Windows Update; manually) and
what difficulties you encountered installing it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?

What third-party toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo) are installed? Were they
installed when you were running IE5.5?
--
~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/

 

[Larry S.]

Hi PA Bear,

Ok, I'll do my best .. op sys is Win2KPro, SP4 / Anti-virus is "Shield
Deluxe 2008" from PCSecurity Shield / Access to the internet via AOL (with
the Google Toolbar installed, no interest in Yahoo TB) or via Iexplorer to
MSN.COM / No third party firewall / All software was operating correctly
(subjective evaluation) before the attempt to update IE6.

IE6 update intitated (I believe, by the automatic update service i.e. a
notice of an available update showed up in the systray) .. the installation
did not complete on the first or subsequent attempts and it was at that point
that I noticed the referenced problem. The then installed version of IE6 was
removed using the facilities within the control panel. Ultimately
"IE6SETUP.EXE" was downloaded from the microsoft website, placed on the desk
top and run without incident.. installed version of IE6 IS 6.00.2800.1106
(which equates to IE6, SP1 I think). Upon reviewing the installation log I
found the reference to the Apps Entry Point = iexplore.exT.

BTW, perhaps related/perhaps not but now I am experiencing (since this
update issue began) a startup error message that says the "Java virtual
machine launcher can't find the main class" .. from a priority standpoint
this is a secondary problem.
Thanks in advance for the time you are devoting to this problem
Regards,
Larry Shepard

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I am assuming you were running Win2K SP4 when you installed IE6.

One step at a time: If you disable your anti-virus application (CAREFUL!)
and uninstall IE6 via Add/Remove Programs (which should automatically return
the machine to IE5.x), does the behavior persist?

 

[Larry S.]

Hi Bear,

Yes! W2K,SP4 was running when the upgrade was attempted & when the current
version was installed. Will follow your suggestion tomorrow and report
results.

Regards,

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

PS: Please tell me if Google Toolbar is installed.

 

[Larry S.]

Hi Bear ..
Confirming W2K Pro 5.0.2195 SP4 Build 2195 / Google tool bar WAS installed
as WAS Google desktop / Now neither are installed / followed your
suggestion-request in that the anti-virus software was disabled and IE6
removed ... problem remains i.e. when attempting to open .jpg files I receive
an error message telling me that the system is looking on C:\ for
iexplorer.exT ... IE6-SP1 reinstalled with no change in the above.

Thanks again for your continued interest and assistance.
Regards,
Larry Shepard

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I didn't ask you to reinstall IE6 yet, Larry. Nevertheless...

Did you uninstall the Google applications before or after you uninstalled
IE6?

 

[Larry S.]

The Google apps were uninstalled BEFORE IE6 was uninstalled .. sorry if I'm
complicating the process .. you didn't tell me NOT to reinstall IE6
Larry

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Try reinstalling both Google apps, then uninstalling IE6 [ignore any
"such-and-such may not work if..." warnings). Assuming the behavior does
not persist, try uninstalling the Google apps and then reinstalling IE6.

Again, remember to disable your anti-virus application (and any anti-spyware
applications you may not have told me about) before uninstalling and
reinstalling IE6, Larry.

 

[Larry S.]

Hi Bear,
Sorry for the delay, was called away on family business. Have uninstalled,
reinstalled in your suggested order as well as various alternatives ... and
done several back flips .. all to no avail. Problem persists! Current state
... IE6-SP1 installed, no Google apps installed, anti-virus active. Are we
there yet?
It would seem to me that the offending "value" is stored somewhere and saved
with the settings at shut down and reloaded at startup .. can't that location
be addressed and maunally edited to reflect the right file name?

Larry

Try reinstalling both Google apps, then uninstalling IE6 [ignore any
"such-and-such may not work if..." warnings). Assuming the behavior does
not persist, try uninstalling the Google apps and then reinstalling IE6.

Again, remember to disable your anti-virus application (and any anti-spyware
applications you may not have told me about) before uninstalling and
reinstalling IE6, Larry.

The Google apps were uninstalled BEFORE IE6 was uninstalled .. sorry if
I'm
complicating the process .. you didn't tell me NOT to reinstall IE6
Larry

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Other than the behavior being caused by hijackware, it would appear that
you're still seeing the behavior due to presence of the Google apps and/or
the fact that your anti-virus application was running in the background when
IE6 was first installed.

IN RE the latter: Other than a format & reinstall of Windows, this is one of
the very, very few times when I might recommend using a "Registry cleaner"
(e.g., the Registry Integrity option of http://www.ccleaner.com/).

NB: Make absolutely certain that you create a back-up of any changes being
made, "just in case."

IN RE the former:

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~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/

Hi Bear,
Sorry for the delay, was called away on family business. Have
uninstalled,
reinstalled in your suggested order as well as various alternatives ...
and
done several back flips .. all to no avail. Problem persists! Current
state .. IE6-SP1 installed, no Google apps installed, anti-virus active.
Are we there yet?
It would seem to me that the offending "value" is stored somewhere and
saved
with the settings at shut down and reloaded at startup .. can't that
location be addressed and maunally edited to reflect the right file name?

Try reinstalling both Google apps, then uninstalling IE6 [ignore any
"such-and-such may not work if..." warnings). Assuming the behavior does
not persist, try uninstalling the Google apps and then reinstalling IE6.

Again, remember to disable your anti-virus application (and any
anti-spyware applications you may not have told me about) before
uninstalling and reinstalling IE6, Larry.

The Google apps were uninstalled BEFORE IE6 was uninstalled .. sorry if
I'm
complicating the process .. you didn't tell me NOT to reinstall IE6
Larry

:

I didn't ask you to reinstall IE6 yet, Larry. Nevertheless...

Did you uninstall the Google applications before or after you
uninstalled
IE6?


Larry S. wrote:
Hi Bear ..
Confirming W2K Pro 5.0.2195 SP4 Build 2195 / Google tool bar WAS
installed
as WAS Google desktop / Now neither are installed / followed your
suggestion-request in that the anti-virus software was disabled and
IE6
removed ... problem remains i.e. when attempting to open .jpg files I
receive an error message telling me that the system is looking on C:\
for
iexplorer.exT ... IE6-SP1 reinstalled with no change in the above.

Thanks again for your continued interest and assistance.
Regards,
Larry Shepard

:

PS: Please tell me if Google Toolbar is installed.

Larry S. wrote:
Hi Bear,

Yes! W2K,SP4 was running when the upgrade was attempted & when the
current
version was installed. Will follow your suggestion tomorrow and
report
results.

Regards,

:

I am assuming you were running Win2K SP4 when you installed IE6.

One step at a time: If you disable your anti-virus application
(CAREFUL!)
and uninstall IE6 via Add/Remove Programs (which should
automatically
return the machine to IE5.x), does the behavior persist?


Larry S. wrote:
Hi PA Bear,

Ok, I'll do my best .. op sys is Win2KPro, SP4 / Anti-virus is
"Shield
Deluxe 2008" from PCSecurity Shield / Access to the internet via
AOL
(with
the Google Toolbar installed, no interest in Yahoo TB) or via
Iexplorer
to
MSN.COM / No third party firewall / All software was operating
correctly
(subjective evaluation) before the attempt to update IE6.

IE6 update intitated (I believe, by the automatic update service
i.e.
a
notice of an available update showed up in the systray) .. the
installation
did not complete on the first or subsequent attempts and it was at
that
point that I noticed the referenced problem. The then installed
version
of
IE6 was removed using the facilities within the control panel.
Ultimately
"IE6SETUP.EXE" was downloaded from the microsoft website, placed
on
the
desk
top and run without incident.. installed version of IE6 IS
6.00.2800.1106
(which equates to IE6, SP1 I think). Upon reviewing the
installation
log
I
found the reference to the Apps Entry Point = iexplore.exT.

BTW, perhaps related/perhaps not but now I am experiencing (since
this
update issue began) a startup error message that says the "Java
virtual
machine launcher can't find the main class" .. from a priority
standpoint
this is a secondary problem.
Thanks in advance for the time you are devoting to this problem
Regards,
Larry Shepard

:

I need a more-specific Windows version (e.g., Win2K SP4), please.

Also tell me how you installed IE6 (e.g., via Windows Update;
manually)
and
what difficulties you encountered installing it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What
third-party
firewall
(if any)?

What third-party toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo) are installed?
Were
they
installed when you were running IE5.5?
--
~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/


Larry S. wrote:
Win2000Pro .. just couldn't bring myself to replace something
that
wasn't
broke!

:
Windows version?

Larry S. wrote:
I recently (with some difficulty) upgraded to IE 6 (SP1).
since
then
Explorer will not launch to display .jpg files (a message
window
appears
asking for the location of iexplorer.exT (cap is my emphasis)
..
Installation log for IE 6 SP1 shows an entry of "Apps Entry
Point
=
iexplore.exT" which should probably be ".exe" but I have no
confirmation
of that .. also can't find any reference with search of text
or
file
name
for that file .. any ideas how to fix this problem!!
Thanks, Larry S.

 

[Larry S.]

Hi Bear,

Thanks for getting back to me ..... hard to believe that a hijack program
may have been running in background at the time this problem ocurred as both
the anit-virus and spyware programs have been installed and operational since
last fall when I contracted a trojan-horse virus.

Nevertheless ... will try as you suggest ... I am proud and a little capable
and have no fear of editing or otherwise working with the registry ... AND I
know the implications and ramifications of a registry screwup! What's the
worst that could happen ... having to reload the op sys and all the apps?
Been there, done that, a year ago after the second HDD crash in as many years.

Regards,
Larry Shepard

That being said I am still wondering about a unique location where the
variable "Apps Entry Point" is stored and whether or not that location can be
edited rather than trying registry cleaners et al.

Other than the behavior being caused by hijackware, it would appear that
you're still seeing the behavior due to presence of the Google apps and/or
the fact that your anti-virus application was running in the background when
IE6 was first installed.

IN RE the latter: Other than a format & reinstall of Windows, this is one of
the very, very few times when I might recommend using a "Registry cleaner"
(e.g., the Registry Integrity option of http://www.ccleaner.com/).

NB: Make absolutely certain that you create a back-up of any changes being
made, "just in case."

IN RE the former:

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~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/

Hi Bear,
Sorry for the delay, was called away on family business. Have
uninstalled,
reinstalled in your suggested order as well as various alternatives ...
and
done several back flips .. all to no avail. Problem persists! Current
state .. IE6-SP1 installed, no Google apps installed, anti-virus active.
Are we there yet?
It would seem to me that the offending "value" is stored somewhere and
saved
with the settings at shut down and reloaded at startup .. can't that
location be addressed and maunally edited to reflect the right file name?

Try reinstalling both Google apps, then uninstalling IE6 [ignore any
"such-and-such may not work if..." warnings). Assuming the behavior does
not persist, try uninstalling the Google apps and then reinstalling IE6.

Again, remember to disable your anti-virus application (and any
anti-spyware applications you may not have told me about) before
uninstalling and reinstalling IE6, Larry.

Larry S. wrote:
The Google apps were uninstalled BEFORE IE6 was uninstalled .. sorry if
I'm
complicating the process .. you didn't tell me NOT to reinstall IE6
Larry

:

I didn't ask you to reinstall IE6 yet, Larry. Nevertheless...

Did you uninstall the Google applications before or after you
uninstalled
IE6?


Larry S. wrote:
Hi Bear ..
Confirming W2K Pro 5.0.2195 SP4 Build 2195 / Google tool bar WAS
installed
as WAS Google desktop / Now neither are installed / followed your
suggestion-request in that the anti-virus software was disabled and
IE6
removed ... problem remains i.e. when attempting to open .jpg files I
receive an error message telling me that the system is looking on C:\
for
iexplorer.exT ... IE6-SP1 reinstalled with no change in the above.

Thanks again for your continued interest and assistance.
Regards,
Larry Shepard

:

PS: Please tell me if Google Toolbar is installed.

Larry S. wrote:
Hi Bear,

Yes! W2K,SP4 was running when the upgrade was attempted & when the
current
version was installed. Will follow your suggestion tomorrow and
report
results.

Regards,

:

I am assuming you were running Win2K SP4 when you installed IE6.

One step at a time: If you disable your anti-virus application
(CAREFUL!)
and uninstall IE6 via Add/Remove Programs (which should
automatically
return the machine to IE5.x), does the behavior persist?


Larry S. wrote:
Hi PA Bear,

Ok, I'll do my best .. op sys is Win2KPro, SP4 / Anti-virus is
"Shield
Deluxe 2008" from PCSecurity Shield / Access to the internet via
AOL
(with
the Google Toolbar installed, no interest in Yahoo TB) or via
Iexplorer
to
MSN.COM / No third party firewall / All software was operating
correctly
(subjective evaluation) before the attempt to update IE6.

IE6 update intitated (I believe, by the automatic update service
i.e.
a
notice of an available update showed up in the systray) .. the
installation
did not complete on the first or subsequent attempts and it was at
that
point that I noticed the referenced problem. The then installed
version
of
IE6 was removed using the facilities within the control panel.
Ultimately
"IE6SETUP.EXE" was downloaded from the microsoft website, placed
on
the
desk
top and run without incident.. installed version of IE6 IS
6.00.2800.1106
(which equates to IE6, SP1 I think). Upon reviewing the
installation
log
I
found the reference to the Apps Entry Point = iexplore.exT.

BTW, perhaps related/perhaps not but now I am experiencing (since
this
update issue began) a startup error message that says the "Java
virtual
machine launcher can't find the main class" .. from a priority
standpoint
this is a secondary problem.
Thanks in advance for the time you are devoting to this problem
Regards,
Larry Shepard

:

I need a more-specific Windows version (e.g., Win2K SP4), please.

Also tell me how you installed IE6 (e.g., via Windows Update;
manually)
and
what difficulties you encountered installing it?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What
third-party
firewall
(if any)?

What third-party toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo) are installed?
Were
they
installed when you were running IE5.5?
--
~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/


Larry S. wrote:
Win2000Pro .. just couldn't bring myself to replace something
that
wasn't
broke!

:
Windows version?

Larry S. wrote:
I recently (with some difficulty) upgraded to IE 6 (SP1).
since
then
Explorer will not launch to display .jpg files (a message
window
appears
asking for the location of iexplorer.exT (cap is my emphasis)
..
Installation log for IE 6 SP1 shows an entry of "Apps Entry
Point
=
iexplore.exT" which should probably be ".exe" but I have no
confirmation
of that .. also can't find any reference with search of text
or
file
name
for that file .. any ideas how to fix this problem!!
Thanks, Larry S.