IE won't launch - Windows Installer appears

[Fred Worthington]

Greetings:

My OS is 2000 Professional.

When I attempt to launch Internet Explorer the Windows Installer appears.
After a long time, I am given the option to choose another path to find the
program. When I check under Program Files, iexplore.exe is right where it's
supposed to be. The mystery deepens when I open Windows in Safe Mode and
Internet Explorer launches normally. Any ideas regarding a resolution for
this problem will be appreciated. Also, if all else fails, how do I
reinstall Internet Explorer?

Thanks . . . Fred

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
The fact that IE opens normally in Safe Mode indicates that another program,
probably malware, is causing this problem.

Start by disabling third-party toolbars and other add-ons.
BHODemon 2.0 from http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm may help
if the offender is a BHO.

Then you will want to run Ad-aware, Spybot MS Anti-Spyware (Beta.)
See these sites for help:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

You may have to post a HijackThis log to one of these forums for additional
help. Look for the proper forum and an "Important- Read This First" message
so that you follow proper procedure.

* HijackThis Quick Start http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/#Top

http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://castlecops.com/forums.html
http://tomcoyote.com/forums/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php
http://forums.net-integration.net/

Or...
A legitimate program running in the background may be causing this. Disable
(for diagnostic purposes) programs such as pop-up blockers, security,
toolbars and other add-ons for IE, anti-virus, etc. Take a look at any
program that might be interfering with IE. You may have to reinstall, or not
reinstall, a program.

This (lengthy) troubleshooting process may help:
276393 - Understanding and Troubleshooting Unrecoverable Errors (Faults) in
Internet Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=276393

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

 

[Rob Parsons]

Check your settings for Automatic Updates under the Control Panel.

There have been some recent changes to Windows Update and support for pre-XP
operating systems. It is a good idea to keep your machine up to-date with
patches etc. You will need a legitimate OS license to continue to receive
updates. You should have your original Windows disk or there will be a
hologram stuck to the side of your PC with your license code on it.

 

[Fred Worthington]

Don, thanks to you and Rob for the response.

I've tried a few things since my last post. I have run spyware and virus
scans, updated the OS, even updated Internet Explorer and Windows Installer.
IE still does not run. I am beginning to suspect this is a Windows
Installer issue. It seems to be caught in some sort of loop trying to
install a program called Learn My PC that came installed on the computer. I
tried to remove this program from the Control Panel with Add/Remove
Programs, but it just launched the Installer. So, I downloaded a McAfee
Uninstall utility and removed Learn My PC. However, Windows Installer
continues to try to install this program stating the path is incorrect (it
is looking for a file with a .msi extension from a network source). In the
interim, I have installed Netscape, and it runs OK, so far. I will check
out the BHO issue. Perhaps you have some ideas regarding issues with
Windows Installer.

Thanks . . . Fred

Hi,
The fact that IE opens normally in Safe Mode indicates that another program,
probably malware, is causing this problem.

Start by disabling third-party toolbars and other add-ons.
BHODemon 2.0 from http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm may help
if the offender is a BHO.

Then you will want to run Ad-aware, Spybot MS Anti-Spyware (Beta.)
See these sites for help:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

You may have to post a HijackThis log to one of these forums for additional
help. Look for the proper forum and an "Important- Read This First" message
so that you follow proper procedure.

* HijackThis Quick Start http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/#Top

http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://castlecops.com/forums.html
http://tomcoyote.com/forums/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php
http://forums.net-integration.net/

Or...
A legitimate program running in the background may be causing this. Disable
(for diagnostic purposes) programs such as pop-up blockers, security,
toolbars and other add-ons for IE, anti-virus, etc. Take a look at any
program that might be interfering with IE. You may have to reinstall, or not
reinstall, a program.

This (lengthy) troubleshooting process may help:
276393 - Understanding and Troubleshooting Unrecoverable Errors (Faults) in
Internet Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=276393

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

Greetings:

My OS is 2000 Professional.

When I attempt to launch Internet Explorer the Windows Installer appears.
After a long time, I am given the option to choose another path to find the
program. When I check under Program Files, iexplore.exe is right where it's
supposed to be. The mystery deepens when I open Windows in Safe Mode and
Internet Explorer launches normally. Any ideas regarding a resolution for
this problem will be appreciated. Also, if all else fails, how do I
reinstall Internet Explorer?

Thanks . . . Fred