Problems after Windows XP SP2 Install

[A. Port]

After I installed SP2, everything works fine except when I start up Internet
Explorer. If I go straight to a link, it works fine, but when I open up the
Iexplore exe. file or click on the Explorer icon on my taskbar, it goes to a
nonexistent link rather than to my home page. The link is
http://files/Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe which seems like the path to
the program itself. If I am in IE and click on Home Page, it goes to my
home page without a problem. I checked my Registry, but everything is ok
there. I ran Hijackthis, but do not see a problem there. I ran Spybot and
Adaware, but again no problem. If anyone has a suggestion, the help would
be appreciated.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE]

Looks like you had spyware on your system before installing SP2 and SP2 is
interfering with the operation of the spyware.
What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/devioussoftware.mspx

CAUTION!!!!! Removing some spyware can damage the Winsock stact. Before
you try to remove spyware using any of these programs , download a copy of
LSP-Fix - a free program to repair damaged Winsock 2 stacks (all Windows
versions)
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
Winsockfix for W95, W98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
http://www.tacktech.com/pub/winsockfix/WinsockFix.zip
Directions here: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257
WinXP:
Get WinSockxpFix
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
How to Reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357
In WinXP SP2: You can fix Winsock by going to Start | Run and typing
CMD
In the command window type
netsh winsock reset

See
Dealing with Unwanted Malware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Note that AdAware and SpyBot S & D will each catch some things the other
won't. Also, each needs to be updated with the program's update function
before every use, even when just downloaded. There's also a lot more to do
than just those two programs. CWShredder is also available here:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder
**Post your HijackThis log to
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/ or the Spyware forum at
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**
Alternative download pages for Ad-Aware, Spybot, HijackThis and CWShredder
may be found on this page:
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.

See this link for information about malware:
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/malware.ars

If nothing there helps, please post back to this thread.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[A. Port]

I am not sure how to fix this. I do not see any Malware on the
computer--did an update on Adaware and Spybot and cleaned everything up. I
still cannot open up IE to the home page. If anyone has any other
suggestion, thanks in advance.

 

[A. Port]

I am not sure how to fix this. I do not see any Malware on the
computer--did an update on Adaware and Spybot and cleaned everything up. I
still cannot open up IE to the home page. If anyone has any other
suggestion, thanks in advance.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP IE/OE]

Where did you post your HijackThis log?

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/