Problem changing address bar search engine

[Enzo]

Hi,
I've been having a problem changing the address bar search engine in IE6 on
an xp pro machine. url and keyword searches work but I cant change the engine
from auto.msn to google or any other for that matter. Its like its locked and
cannot be changed no matter what I try.

Procedures that I've tried to troubleshoot this issue are:
Multiple spyware and virus scans......... nothing major found.
hijackthis found no browser hijacks.
Reset of IE6 settings.
cleared out the browser cache.
merged a kellys korner google.reg.......no change..

One thing I have noticed though are strange items that are listed in the
"Customize Search Settings" in the "choose a search provider for address bar
searches" section where you are supposed to make the necessary address bar
changes. the items that are suspicious are:
Dreamwiz
Empas
Paran
FAREJADOR IG
Altaz cz
etc.

Like I said I've tried many ways to try and clear this up to no avail. Is
there a solution to get google to be my address bar search engine in IE6?
Is there a policy of some sort in the registry that maybe was changed?
Any thought are appreciated in advance.....

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
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://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the 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.

 

[Enzo]

Been there, done that....
All logs and scans come clean.....
Thanks anyway.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please cite a link to the forum thread where you've posted your HijackThis
log for review by an expert. If you've not "done that" you've not "been
there".

 

[Angie]

I hear you Enzo, I have been looking to the answer to this one for weeks. I
just happened to me. Never had this problem before. I, like you did
everything including spyware scans, anti virus scans (Avast and 2 online
scans) which all come up clean., eventually reinstalling IE with the scannow
feature. I then reformatted my entire hard drive to wipe it clean and start
fresh. But no answers for this problem as yet. I wonder why?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971