Problems with Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, etc...

[Phil]

I have Windows XP. When users other then the
administrator try to open Internet Explorer or Windows
Explorer, the hour glass appears for about 20 seconds,
then the icons disappear from the desktop, the desktop
images flashes a few times and then the icons reappear.
I have searched and found others with this same problem
but no replies on how to fix. I have virus protection
running, latest MS updates, and ran Spybot S&D.

Also set up a new user account and have the same problem
with the new user account.

 

[Don Varnau]

Phil,
It sounds like a spyware/parasite problem.
Try these parasite removal programs in this order.

Download and run Run CWShredder from
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Then download, install, *update* and run both of these programs:
Ad-aware from http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Spybot from http://security.kolla.de/ (Remove items listed in red-others are
optional.)
Both programs should be updated after installation- before use.

If these programs don't remove the malware, HijackThis should be used to
post a log to the appropriate forum at one of these sites.
HijackThis instructions and download:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

Forums:
http://forum.mvps.org/ Excellent help- low traffic. Visit
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075 before posting the log.

http://tomcoyote.com/forums/
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://boards.cexx.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php

Security tips and other information at:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Hope this helps,
Don

 

[Judy]

I, too, am having the same problems and have been going
nuts trying to figure what went wrong. I get the
hourglass for a few seconds, then nothing. I am able to
open msnExplorer, but want my Internet Explorer back.
All was fine until I installed Norton Internet Security,
which found adware. The problems started, I believe,
when I attempted the recomended delete of adware. I have
uninstalled NIS and tried downloading Internet Explorer
again. I even re-installed the adware I deleted. Still
no Internet Explorer! I am running Windows XP and have
DSL. If you get any suggestions, PLEASE let me know!