IE7 and IE8 do not close properly

[DHK]

First, I realize this newsgroup is named IE6, but I felt this was the best
fit for my situation. If not, please let me know which newsgroup I should
repost.

My client is running WinXPP SP3. He is connected to the internet with a
Linksys wireless NIC.

Originally, he was running IE8. When starting in the morning, all is fine.
System response time is normal. However, after opening IE8 and then closing
it again, an instance of "iexplore.exe" can still be found in the processes
tab in the task manager. Further, it is utilizing 50% of the CPU resources.
When the user opens IE8 again, an additional "iexplore.exe" instance is
listed in the processes table. It is also utilizing 50% of the CPU
resources. So very quickly, his system becomes bogged down and unusable as
the number of iexplore.exe instances increase. Closing IE8 made no
difference. I was able to manually end the processes.

When I uninstalled IE8 and he had only IE7, the same problem existed.

I didn't strip out the add-ins, plug-ins and tool bars the user had
installed. Perhaps that should be my next step. I would appreciate your
suggestions on how to troubleshoot this problem.

DHK

 

[Singapore Computer Service]

Hello,

Add-ons is the most likely cause for this. First kill all IEXPLORE.EXE
processes in Task Manager.

Then go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer
(No Add-ons) to start IE8 without any add-ons. Try using the browser and see
if the same problem arises.

Regards,
Singapore Computer Home Repair Service
http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
Video Conversion VHS Video8 Hi8 Digital8 MiniDv MicroMv
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Those with IE7- and/or IE8-specific questions or comments can post to and
seek support in IE General newsgroup:
microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

On the web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

In your newsreader:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

==============

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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.

 

[DHK]

Many thanks for your assistance.

Singapore, the no-addons was an excellent starting point and I was able to
isolate the offending addon.

PA Bear. Thanks for the info about IE support. I have added the link to my
list of subscribed newsgroups and will use in the future. Thankfully, the AV
software is up to date and working. There is no infections detected and the
problem is no gone now that the defective addon has been removed.

Best regards.
DHK

Those with IE7- and/or IE8-specific questions or comments can post to and
seek support in IE General newsgroup:
microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

On the web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

In your newsreader:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

==============

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a
hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection'
scan (only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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

First, I realize this newsgroup is named IE6, but I felt this was the
best
fit for my situation. If not, please let me know which newsgroup I should
repost.

My client is running WinXPP SP3. He is connected to the internet with a
Linksys wireless NIC.

Originally, he was running IE8. When starting in the morning, all is
fine.
System response time is normal. However, after opening IE8 and then
closing
it again, an instance of "iexplore.exe" can still be found in the
processes
tab in the task manager. Further, it is utilizing 50% of the CPU
resources.
When the user opens IE8 again, an additional "iexplore.exe" instance is
listed in the processes table. It is also utilizing 50% of the CPU
resources. So very quickly, his system becomes bogged down and unusable
as
the number of iexplore.exe instances increase. Closing IE8 made no
difference. I was able to manually end the processes.

When I uninstalled IE8 and he had only IE7, the same problem existed.

I didn't strip out the add-ins, plug-ins and tool bars the user had
installed. Perhaps that should be my next step. I would appreciate your
suggestions on how to troubleshoot this problem.

DHK