Discussion:
explorer doesn't open
(too old to reply)
Patrick
2009-04-26 15:21:01 UTC
Permalink
Using XP media Center, Explorer doesn't open. Have removed and reinstalled
using add/remove. New versions don't install. Can't access update to deal
with current virus until this gets resolved.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-04-26 18:05:04 UTC
Permalink
Always state your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when
posting to this newsgroup.

We shall assume you're referring to Internet Explorer (IE), not Windows
Explorer (Explorer).

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the affects of a hijackware
infection.

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan!

2. WinXP ONLY!! => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
or other appropriate forums.**

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.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
Post by Patrick
Using XP media Center, Explorer doesn't open. Have removed and reinstalled
using add/remove. New versions don't install. Can't access update to deal
with current virus until this gets resolved.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
Patrick
2009-04-26 18:55:01 UTC
Permalink
Have seen this group of instructions before I posted. Listed in response to
the steps are the problems I am having-
Always state your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3) when posting to this newsgroup.
Version 2002 SP3 is the rest of the description
There is a very good chance that you are seeing the affects of a hijackware
infection.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Hitting the download link on this page in either Chrome or Firefox failed to
obtain the file. Will attempt to transfer from other computer.
2. WinXP ONLY!! => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm
Can't see anything on my display in Safe Mode. Have inquiry into GeForce
regarding how to get display when in safe mode.
3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.
Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
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://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Was likewise unable to get dowloads from adaware, or other links, although I
haven't tried all.
**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
or other appropriate forums.**
Kind of surprised that the newsgroup on Microsoft site doesn't have expert
assistance and I should go elsewhere....
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.
It would all be easy if I could get the downloads to work!
Thanks!
Patrick
2009-04-26 19:31:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Brought the download file to problem machine and extracted there.
For some reason it placed the extracted files on a NAS drive instead of the
computer, so dropped folder on desktop. Does not run from there.
The CA virus notification keeps finding and deleting files that have Vondu!
in the name.
Any other suggestoins appreciated.
Patrick
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-04-26 20:23:04 UTC
Permalink
Copy MRT.EXE to the desktop of the problem machine | Rename it to SCAN.EXE &
run it.

Other suggestions/recommendations in my previous reply.
Post by Patrick
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Brought the download file to problem machine and extracted there.
For some reason it placed the extracted files on a NAS drive instead of the
computer, so dropped folder on desktop. Does not run from there.
The CA virus notification keeps finding and deleting files that have Vondu!
in the name.
Any other suggestoins appreciated.
Patrick
Patrick
2009-04-28 03:41:01 UTC
Permalink
This worked. Scan reported a number of actions. Rebooted and had about five
hours reported without virus notice.
Still haven't been able to either open IE or install new version.
Am rerunning scan tonight and will try to reinstall Explorer from add/remove
panel and attempt again.
Thanks
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Copy MRT.EXE to the desktop of the problem machine | Rename it to SCAN.EXE &
run it.
Other suggestions/recommendations in my previous reply.
Post by Patrick
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Brought the download file to problem machine and extracted there.
For some reason it placed the extracted files on a NAS drive instead of the
computer, so dropped folder on desktop. Does not run from there.
The CA virus notification keeps finding and deleting files that have Vondu!
in the name.
Any other suggestoins appreciated.
Patrick
PA Bear [MS MVP]
2009-04-28 06:50:57 UTC
Permalink
Now see #2 and #3 in my first reply to this thread.
Post by Patrick
This worked. Scan reported a number of actions. Rebooted and had about five
hours reported without virus notice.
Still haven't been able to either open IE or install new version.
Am rerunning scan tonight and will try to reinstall Explorer from add/remove
panel and attempt again.
Thanks
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Copy MRT.EXE to the desktop of the problem machine | Rename it to
SCAN.EXE
& run it.
Other suggestions/recommendations in my previous reply.
Post by Patrick
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Brought the download file to problem machine and extracted there.
For some reason it placed the extracted files on a NAS drive instead of the
computer, so dropped folder on desktop. Does not run from there.
The CA virus notification keeps finding and deleting files that have Vondu!
in the name.
Any other suggestoins appreciated.
Patrick
Patrick
2009-04-29 06:24:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Now see #2 and #3 in my first reply to this thread.
Can't get display in Safe Mode. No replay from GeForce on this, and none of
what I have found online has succeeded in this.
Will go on to step 3 and try those things next.
Thanks!
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Post by Patrick
This worked. Scan reported a number of actions. Rebooted and had about five
hours reported without virus notice.
Still haven't been able to either open IE or install new version.
Am rerunning scan tonight and will try to reinstall Explorer from add/remove
panel and attempt again.
Thanks
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Copy MRT.EXE to the desktop of the problem machine | Rename it to
SCAN.EXE
& run it.
Other suggestions/recommendations in my previous reply.
Post by Patrick
Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Brought the download file to problem machine and extracted there.
For some reason it placed the extracted files on a NAS drive instead of the
computer, so dropped folder on desktop. Does not run from there.
The CA virus notification keeps finding and deleting files that have Vondu!
in the name.
Any other suggestoins appreciated.
Patrick
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