no open/save dialog box for .exe's - just save as

[Joedog]

Sometime during the last day or so, the proverbial "something" happened.
In IE6 on XP (with all of the latest updates), I used to be able to click on
a link that pointed to an executable (example:
hxxp://mycompanyintranetsite.com/hr/app.exe ).
I would then be shown a dialog box titled "File Download" and would have the
option to choose Open or Save (and Cancel and More Info). The choice I need
is Open. (It is a safe executable.)
After Something happened, when I click on the link all I get is a Save As
dialog box to save it. No more choice to either Open OR Save.
If I right-click the link, choosing Open gives me the same Save As dialog
box. In other words, the Open choice behaves the same as the Save Target
As... choice.
A Sytem Restore to two days ago fixes it, but unfortunately also screw up
some other apps on my pc so I would rather not have to resort to that.
I'm sure it must be something in the registry.
Any ideas?

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Joedog

You may have parasites, spyware, adware, malware, or hijackware on
your system causing the problem, which your antivirus will not detect, as it
does not have the same definitions. Download and install, then you *MUST*
update the programs prior to running to be sure they have the latest
definitions, then run the programs below. They are free and very effective.
Be sure to run both SpyBot and Adaware, as what one does not detect the
other may. It is important that you do all the steps and follow all
directions carefully:

You can go to the links below to check your system for parasites
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

IMPORTANT:
Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware may kill your internet connection when it is
removed, this program will enable you to regain your connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

It is important that you run the programs in the order that they are listed
here. The first three programs will clear your machine of all other items so
that you can have a clear HiJackThis Log for the experts to read and analyze
for you.

(NOTE: If you can not download these programs from the Internet, if your PC
has CD read capabilities, go to another computer with CD-ROM burning
capabilities. Create a folder on the hard drive of the other computer called
HOLD, download the programs to that folder, then burn that folder to a CD.
Copy the HOLD folder to your HD and then install the programs from there
and run them. After you have IE access again, update all programs where
possible to get the latest definitions and run them again to be sure there
are no lingering items on the system.

CWShredder: Free
http://tinyurl.com/2l9kl
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

SpyBot Search & Destroy: Free
http://download.com.com/3000-8022-10289035.html?tag=lst-0-2
or
http://majorgeeks.com/download2471.html

AdAware: Free
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

(If needed: AdAware Manual updates only):
Scroll down to Updates Available -
http://lavasoft.element5.com/support/download


HiJackThis: - Free

Go to
http://computercops.biz/downloads-cat-14.html ,
or
http://tinyurl.com/2oce8
and download HiJackThis. Unzip to a folder other than your Desktop or the
Temp folder, doubleclick HiJackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log"
button. Press that, save the log some place you remember where it is.
Most of what it lists will be harmless or even required, so DO NOT fix
anything yet.

Open a the copy of your log in NotePad and made a copy. Then you can go here
to post you log:
http://forum.aumha.org/

Go to the HiJackThis section on the forum list and click to open. You can
post as a guest. It's also a good site to keep for reference. The experts
there will analyze the log and report back the results. Please allow at
least a few hours or a days time for a response.

Remember, you must return to the HJT site to get your answer. It is a good
idea to click the "Notify" box so that you will get an electronic
notification by e-mail to let you know when a response has been posted.
But, you must still return to the site of your answer

Help with Hijackware & Scumware Information:

HijackThis Quick Start Help
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

The Tutorial if you want to know more about the results or the .log file.
http://www.merijn.org/htlogtutorial.html
also
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Here is information on how to help protect your system:

Practice Safe Hex
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

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

This program helps control parasites, spyware, adware, and malware that may
get on your system:

SpywareBlaster: Free
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Hope this helps.

Jan

 

[Joedog]

Fixed -
The problem was Netscape SmartDownload. I needed an old version of Netscape
for a project here and I used it thinking it was just a downloader for
Netscape, not a download manager for all internet downloads.
I would have figured it out sooner if I had actually gone as far as SAVED a
file, because right after clicking "Save" the SmartDownload kicked in. I
had been constantly cancelling the Save operation because what I was trying
to do was actually OPEN an app from my intranet site without saving.

Thank you,
Joe

 

[Jan Il]

Fixed -
The problem was Netscape SmartDownload. I needed an old version of
Netscape for a project here and I used it thinking it was just a
downloader for Netscape, not a download manager for all internet
downloads.
I would have figured it out sooner if I had actually gone as far as
SAVED a file, because right after clicking "Save" the SmartDownload
kicked in. I had been constantly cancelling the Save operation
because what I was trying to do was actually OPEN an app from my
intranet site without saving.

Thank you,
Joe

You're very welcome, glad to hear you got your problem resolved. Thank you
for posting back with your solution for the benefit of others.

Jan