IE6 Strangeness

(also posted to microsoft.public.win98.internet.browser)

Hi,

A couple of things have gone a bit strange today, I'm guessing they're both
connected...

1. The Home Page setting is greyed out and can't be changed in
ToolsInternet Options. I am confident there is no virus on the computer;
I've got the latest Norton defs and done several full system scans. The
actual page has defaulted to the Microsoft site, although I can change this
easily enough in the registry.

2. Whenever I try to load any page I get "The page cannot be displayed"
screen. Other software (such as MSN Messenger and Outlook Express) using
the internet connection (broadband via network) have no problems. DNS
settings are all as they should be. I have uninstalled and reinstalled IE6,
but to no avail. The MS KB article 320159 ("Home Page setting changes
unexpectedly..." was not able to help, and a standard troubleshooting clean
boot (just in case!) didn't change anything either.

Has anyone any ideas? Thanks in advance...

Dan

--
"There is absolutely no substitute for a complete and utter lack of
preparation" - Anon.

Dan Curnow said the following on 10/18/05 9:06 AM:
(also posted to microsoft.public.win98.internet.browser)

Hi,

A couple of things have gone a bit strange today, I'm guessing they're both
connected...

1. The Home Page setting is greyed out and can't be changed in
ToolsInternet Options. I am confident there is no virus on the computer;
I've got the latest Norton defs and done several full system scans. The
actual page has defaulted to the Microsoft site, although I can change this
easily enough in the registry.

2. Whenever I try to load any page I get "The page cannot be displayed"
screen. Other software (such as MSN Messenger and Outlook Express) using
the internet connection (broadband via network) have no problems. DNS
settings are all as they should be. I have uninstalled and reinstalled IE6,
but to no avail. The MS KB article 320159 ("Home Page setting changes
unexpectedly..." was not able to help, and a standard troubleshooting clean
boot (just in case!) didn't change anything either.

Has anyone any ideas? Thanks in advance...

Dan

--
"There is absolutely no substitute for a complete and utter lack of
preparation" - Anon.



checked for a browser hijacker or other spyware?

Well, is *sounds* like you've been hijacked. See my suggestions at
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.com

Note that if you use anti-spyware tools that you haven't mentioned, I can
envision such a tool run amok, or used improperly, might be at fault. Do you
already use any such utilities?

And, of course, there's always Norton. It may very well be involved.
Although I don't know of a specific reason to point to, I *always* start out
blaming Norton when it's present, and for good cause.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

"Dan Curnow" wrote in message
...
(also posted to microsoft.public.win98.internet.browser)

Hi,

A couple of things have gone a bit strange today, I'm guessing they're
both
connected...

1. The Home Page setting is greyed out and can't be changed in
ToolsInternet Options. I am confident there is no virus on the computer;
I've got the latest Norton defs and done several full system scans. The
actual page has defaulted to the Microsoft site, although I can change
this
easily enough in the registry.

2. Whenever I try to load any page I get "The page cannot be displayed"
screen. Other software (such as MSN Messenger and Outlook Express) using
the internet connection (broadband via network) have no problems. DNS
settings are all as they should be. I have uninstalled and reinstalled
IE6,
but to no avail. The MS KB article 320159 ("Home Page setting changes
unexpectedly..." was not able to help, and a standard troubleshooting
clean
boot (just in case!) didn't change anything either.

Has anyone any ideas? Thanks in advance...

Dan

--
"There is absolutely no substitute for a complete and utter lack of
preparation" - Anon.

Thanks for your help so far Gary. I would agree in that it *sounds* like
it's been hijacked, although I have no evidence to suggest that. I don't
routinely use anti-spyware, although I tried all four mentioned on your
site. Ad-aware came up with the fact that I couldn't change my home page as
an issue, although it didn't link it to any hijack/spyware; I clicked "Fix"
and the problem was sorted. I don't know what caused it and perhaps never
will.

However, the "Cannot Find Server" problem is still there. As mentioned
previously any other program can access the internet fine, it is only IE
which is having problems. I appreciate that you don't like Norton but I
really don't think it's an issue this time. I have disabled it but to no
avail.

Any further suggestions much appreciated.

Dan

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
Well, is *sounds* like you've been hijacked. See my suggestions at
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.com

Note that if you use anti-spyware tools that you haven't mentioned, I can
envision such a tool run amok, or used improperly, might be at fault. Do
you
already use any such utilities?

And, of course, there's always Norton. It may very well be involved.
Although I don't know of a specific reason to point to, I *always* start
out
blaming Norton when it's present, and for good cause.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

The fact that your Home Page was hijacked suggests to me that there was
other stuff done that Ad-Aware, et al, did *not* flag but which is
nonetheless present. Recommend you visit www.aumha.net for more intensive
measures, including the posting of a HijackThis log to the appropriate forum
(not here!)

Even if Norton is totally disabled, that doesn't mean it's dominion over
your system is 100% relinquished. Just the opposite. Norton's just being
there can wreak havoc.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

"Dan Curnow" wrote in message
...
Thanks for your help so far Gary. I would agree in that it *sounds* like
it's been hijacked, although I have no evidence to suggest that. I don't
routinely use anti-spyware, although I tried all four mentioned on your
site. Ad-aware came up with the fact that I couldn't change my home page
as
an issue, although it didn't link it to any hijack/spyware; I clicked
"Fix"
and the problem was sorted. I don't know what caused it and perhaps never
will.

However, the "Cannot Find Server" problem is still there. As mentioned
previously any other program can access the internet fine, it is only IE
which is having problems. I appreciate that you don't like Norton but I
really don't think it's an issue this time. I have disabled it but to no
avail.

Any further suggestions much appreciated.

Dan

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
Well, is *sounds* like you've been hijacked. See my suggestions at
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.com

Note that if you use anti-spyware tools that you haven't mentioned, I
can
envision such a tool run amok, or used improperly, might be at fault. Do
you
already use any such utilities?

And, of course, there's always Norton. It may very well be involved.
Although I don't know of a specific reason to point to, I *always* start
out
blaming Norton when it's present, and for good cause.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

Hi Dan..

Check the Internet options---lan settings---nothing shld be checked in
this box)

if their is uncheck and close the internet explore and again open it

Next suggestion
i have done research and found that Norton sometime causing problem ..
though its disabled but driver files still run in back ground and act as a
firewall so we try to uninstall norton and check that help )

what bring me to this conclusion that u are able to send and receive emails
... now only a firewall can block the port for the Internet

so try and let me now if helps

all the best.
--
TECH ON RESEARCH


"Dan Curnow" ने लिखा:

Thanks for your help so far Gary. I would agree in that it *sounds* like
it's been hijacked, although I have no evidence to suggest that. I don't
routinely use anti-spyware, although I tried all four mentioned on your
site. Ad-aware came up with the fact that I couldn't change my home page as
an issue, although it didn't link it to any hijack/spyware; I clicked "Fix"
and the problem was sorted. I don't know what caused it and perhaps never
will.

However, the "Cannot Find Server" problem is still there. As mentioned
previously any other program can access the internet fine, it is only IE
which is having problems. I appreciate that you don't like Norton but I
really don't think it's an issue this time. I have disabled it but to no
avail.

Any further suggestions much appreciated.

Dan

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote in message
...
Well, is *sounds* like you've been hijacked. See my suggestions at
http://grystmill.com/articles/security.com

Note that if you use anti-spyware tools that you haven't mentioned, I can
envision such a tool run amok, or used improperly, might be at fault. Do
you
already use any such utilities?

And, of course, there's always Norton. It may very well be involved.
Although I don't know of a specific reason to point to, I *always* start
out
blaming Norton when it's present, and for good cause.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User