IE loads links to external URL handler.

[jason]

I'm have a problem with one of my machine with IE 6. If you open IE
and then click on a link that points to a page on the same server,
everything works fine. If you click on an external link, or type an
URL into the address bar, it sends the link to the default Web Browser.

If Firefox is the default, the link would then open up in firefox
instead of in the same IE window. If the default browser is IE, it
opens a new IE process, that process thinks it can't handle the linksso
it opens another IE and hands the link to the IE process. This will
just keep happening over and over and end up causing a infinate loop of
IE opening it's self and then crashing. If you hold Shift when
clicking the link, it opens in a new window just fine.
I've tried using SetBrowser.exe to set the default program, but
everytime I set it back to default useing setbrowser or IE, it starts
happening again. This happens under all accounts, regardless of
permission level or policies.
The best that I've been able to guess is that IE thinks it doesn't
know how to handle a HTTP, so it sends it to a helper program, just
like you'd get when trying to open a DOC or PDF file. I've checked the
MIME/file association settings and they always properly change when I
change the default browser.
Does anybody have any ideas?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

I'm have a problem with one of my machine with IE 6. If you open IE
and then click on a link that points to a page on the same server,
everything works fine. If you click on an external link, or type an
URL into the address bar, it sends the link to the default Web Browser.

If Firefox is the default, the link would then open up in firefox
instead of in the same IE window. If the default browser is IE, it
opens a new IE process, that process thinks it can't handle the linksso
it opens another IE and hands the link to the IE process. This will
just keep happening over and over and end up causing a infinate loop of
IE opening it's self and then crashing. If you hold Shift when
clicking the link, it opens in a new window just fine.
I've tried using SetBrowser.exe to set the default program, but
everytime I set it back to default useing setbrowser or IE, it starts
happening again. This happens under all accounts, regardless of
permission level or policies.
The best that I've been able to guess is that IE thinks it doesn't
know how to handle a HTTP, so it sends it to a helper program, just
like you'd get when trying to open a DOC or PDF file. I've checked the
MIME/file association settings and they always properly change when I
change the default browser.
Does anybody have any ideas?

Do a thorough malware check. Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

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

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing Messenger Plus, whose ads for
malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince you that you
owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.