Strange IE Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard K
  • Start date Start date
R

Richard K

Windows XP Home
IE 7 (and IE 6)

I have a Windows XP Home computer that originally started with IE6. When I
open up IE it will not display any pages (Page not found) for even a simple
www.google.com At first I figured it was a DNS resolution issue so I opened
a command prompt and did a "ping www.google.com" and it resolves fine so
it's not that. Even more strange is in IE if I hit an HTTPS address it
works fine.

I unloaded IE7 to get back down to IE6 and have the same results. I then
went to reload IE7 (via a 14mb download on a USB stick) and it says it
installs but it does not. I think the install program is going back out to
MS to get the rest of the IE7 files and it fails as well. How I know the
IE7 install fails is because IE6 is still what comes up.

I suspect I have had/do have a virus causing this issue but I have Norton
and I have run the malicious software removal tool and both report back
clean. It may be remnents of a virus now gone.

What do I do? I hate to reinstall Windows.

Thanks!

-Richard K
 
Richard K said:
Windows XP Home
IE 7 (and IE 6)

I have a Windows XP Home computer that originally started with IE6.
When I open up IE it will not display any pages (Page not found) for
even a simple www.google.com At first I figured it was a DNS
resolution issue so I opened a command prompt and did a "ping
www.google.com" and it resolves fine so it's not that. Even more
strange is in IE if I hit an HTTPS address it works fine.

I unloaded IE7 to get back down to IE6 and have the same results. I
then went to reload IE7 (via a 14mb download on a USB stick) and it
says it installs but it does not. I think the install program is
going back out to MS to get the rest of the IE7 files and it fails as
well. How I know the IE7 install fails is because IE6 is still what
comes up.

I suspect I have had/do have a virus causing this issue but I have
Norton and I have run the malicious software removal tool and both
report back clean. It may be remnents of a virus now gone.

What do I do? I hate to reinstall Windows.
Click to expand...

Have you looked at your Hosts file? My guess is you have some form of
nonviral malware. Try a Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware scan in Safe Mode. If
no joy, you may need to run HijackThis. More info on HJT in this post:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.security/msg/305c02c307434b87?hl=en

When you upgrade from IE6 to IE7, it is extremely important to be free
of any and all malware. It is also recommended to use the offline
installation executable while disconnected from the Internet and with
all antimalware programs temporarily disabled. Furthermore, if you
haven't yet installed SP3, it's better to do so *before* upgrading to
IE7. Here is a good resource (don't worry about the Vista reference):

http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html
 
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 (in
conjunction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, 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 or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
 
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive softwarehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

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

Checking for/Help with Hijackwarehttp://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
   http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
   http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=58...p://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
   http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot...tboycomputers.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 (in
conjunction with some other utilities).  HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert.  **Post your log tohttp://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, 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 or Geek Squad) computer repair shop..
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Adminhttp://aumha.net
DTS-Lhttp://dts-l.net/
Click to expand...

Hi,

Had a computer in for service with this exact same fault a couple of
days ago. The computer had Nortons 360 but 360 was disabled by virus's
probably caused by the owner being on dialup and not updating
correctly.
Use previous advice on removing malware or try my quick method.
I have several programs on a USB stick to clean the computers I work
on, you will need to download some of these for you stick on some
other computer.
Install avast anti-virus, it has a boot time scan option, tick yes to
use on install. Before restarting the computer install malwarebytes
and run.
Follow any instructions and reboot your computer, the boot time scan
should run--attend to any messages to deal with any virus's.
Uninstall Nortons 360, tick return windows firewall to original
configuration.

This may get you running again and you should update and run the
programs again to double check. You can of course install Norton's
again and uninstall Avast if you want. Personally I wouldn't. I use
Avira but Avast usually id fine, some people are confused with the
interface.
There is also plenty of great advice for other programs that will help
clean and keep you safe but in the case I dealt with Norton's was the
problem after the computer was infected. Norton's has a bit of history
causing this problem.
Of course I'd better say backup your data, registry or mirror the hard
drive, I use acronis to mirror drives.
There are no 100% correct ways for cleaning up and some virus's need
more work but the above method worked fine for me, why didn't I
uninstall 360 first, well it wouldn't while the virus's were in there.
Possibily the nortons uninstall tool would have dealt with it, I never
tried it :)
There is also risk in running fixes or cleanups, good luck and don't
forget the backups if you have data you must keep.

Best
 
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