IE 6 will not stay open

[martde]

I'm running IE 6 on system with XP, svc pack 2. Starting last week, IE 6
will not stay open. I open it, window attempts to load home page, then
closes immediately. Does the same thing trying to open a plan HTML file on
the desk top. I've searched for malware, but nothing found and no change.
Tried rebooting in safe mode and that worked. I've tried turning off all add
ons and tried turning off 3rd party browser extensions. No luck with either
of those. Any ideas?

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Why isn't WinXP SP3 installed yet? Is the computer fully-patched otherwise
at Windows Update?

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

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! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

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

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**

If these 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 martde
I'm running IE 6 on system with XP, svc pack 2. Starting last week, IE 6
will not stay open. I open it, window attempts to load home page, then
closes immediately. Does the same thing trying to open a plan HTML file on
the desk top. I've searched for malware, but nothing found and no change.
Tried rebooting in safe mode and that worked. I've tried turning off all
add ons and tried turning off 3rd party browser extensions. No luck with
either of those. Any ideas?

[martde]

THe computer belongs to my employer and they determine what to install.
They've tried helping by reinstalling IE, but that had no effect. It does
have McAfee running resident at all time and that scan has found no problems.
I also ran the MS malware detection software but it also found nothing.
Sounds like they're going to have to reimage the computer.

Post by PA Bear [MS MVP]
Why isn't WinXP SP3 installed yet? Is the computer fully-patched otherwise
at Windows Update?
There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!
NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.
2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
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
**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums as well.**
If these 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 martde
I'm running IE 6 on system with XP, svc pack 2. Starting last week, IE 6
will not stay open. I open it, window attempts to load home page, then
closes immediately. Does the same thing trying to open a plan HTML file on
the desk top. I've searched for malware, but nothing found and no change.
Tried rebooting in safe mode and that worked. I've tried turning off all
add ons and tried turning off 3rd party browser extensions. No luck with
either of those. Any ideas?