"IE...needs to close" error when clicking e-mail link

[Guest]

When I click a web link (the type that doesn't show the url, e.g., "click here" rather than www.microsoft.com), if I don't already have another IE window open, I get the "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" error. When I click to see what data the error report contains, It isn't very helpful:
AppName: iexplore.exe AppVer: 6.0.2800.1106 ModName: unknown
ModVer: 0.0.0.0 Offset: 57560000

I've found quite a few things searching the web about this error message in general, but they all seem to rely on this information pointing to the culprit either in the AppName or ModName, which aren't much help in my case.

I'm running IE 6.0.2800.1106 on Windows NT 4.0. I'm current on both critical and recommended updates, have run the usual malware scanners, etc. with no luck. I've had this problem on my machine for quite a while, and after trouble-shooting for half a day and not finding a solution, I decided to live with the annoyance. I just have to open another IE window prior to clicking the link. But now one of the users I support is having the problem, and he's not as tolerant as I am, and he's driving me nuts about finding a solution. Thanks.

 

[PA Bear]

Check your system for "hijackware":

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder (fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

Also:

1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.winfavorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup > More options > Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

3. Check in at Windows Update.

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957

--
HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx