"My MSN" as Home Page doesn't launch

[SteveS]

My home page is "My MSN".
After not using IE for several hours, launching IE
results in the following text...
M:\>here
On a blank page, obviously some incomplete html. On
clicking My MSN on the MSN toolbar, the page loads
correctly. Any thoughts??

 

[H Leboeuf]

Looks exactly like an infection by the CoolWebSearch parasite.


Try this: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are with
these tools.

Let AD-Aware Scan your system for advertising Spyware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

and:

SpyBot-S&D
http://security.kolla.de/

p.s Reset the 3rd party browser setting.

More: This may be caused by a third-party program (adware, spyware,
parasite).
Get AdAware and SpyBot and run them both. Keep them up to date.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Additional link:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

You will need this removal tool.
More: Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
More: Removal tool: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe


Important: "So how did I get infected in the first place?"
http://forums.net-integration.net/index.php?showtopic=3051

 

[SteveS]

Thank you, Henry.
Actually, I have SpywareBlaster, AdAware, and Spybot S&D and use them
frequently.

I incorrectly quoted the text I get after not using IE for several hours,
launching IE results in...
m/'>here.
I have "My MSN" set as my homepage, and have even tried creating a shortcut
(using Favorites and dragging the shortcut to the desktop in XP pro). I
think the problem has something to do with auto-logging in to MSN messenger,
which I believe is required for "My MSN" to work properly. I don't use MSN
Messenger for other purposes, so it's not in the background prior to
launching IE. I think the first attempt succeeds in logging in, but not in
generating "MY" page. I'm guessing here, but I think MSN Messenger
automatically logs out after some period of no use. The surprise is that
this problem seems to be unreported.

I really appreciate your (and others) input.

Steve

 

[Gary]

I have the same problem and all I do is refresh the page and it loads.. It
must be a problem on there end.

 

[SteveS]

Yes, Gary, it sure seems like a login or "too busy" type problem.
Like I said... The surprise is that
this problem seems to be unreported.

Thanks, Steve