Weird Problem With IE 6

[WildCat]

I'm running XP Pro and IE 6. I connect to my DSL line via WinPoET. Everything works fine for about 2 and a half hours, then I start getting "page not found" errors. Refreshing the page sometimes makes it appear, but many of the links and pics are missing. But my connection still seems to be on and active. The only thing that fixes it is re-booting. Norton AV 2004 Pro doesn't detect anything.

I don't know if it is related or not, but there are links that keep appearing in my Favorites every time I re-boot, they're for an online casino, search sites, viagra, etc. I can't seem to delete them permanently.

Any ideas?

[Yahweh]

I've had that same problem, the ultimate solution was to switch to Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/).

A few of the general solutions to the IE problem include:
* Clearing your cache
* Hitting CTRL-Refresh
* Switching to Firefox

Also consider running Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html) to take care of that Casino problem.

[Rat]

I did have a very similar problem, which turned out to be caused by Soulseek. In fact, it still happens. After a certain amount of time, the connection appears to be still up and running in every respect. Except that I can't get a website, can't get my mail, and Soulseek disconnects.

I'm assuming that you're not running Soulseek, though, or you'd have either spotted the link or mentioned it.

Cheers,
Rat.

[WildCat]

I ran the updated Spybot S&D this morning, found lots of stuff my old version didn't. I've been connected all day, still not getting the "page not found" error so that looks good. I still have the links re-appearing on my Favorites though! And when I'm browsing that Casino site keeps opening up. :(

I don't really want to use Firefox, would all pages work as intended w/ it?

[Soapy Sam]

This sounds similar to one of several recurrent probs I had with XP and IE6.

If you don't want to use Firefox or Opera (Still my favourite), can I suggest you do what I did and simply reinstall IE5?

[garys_2k]

Originally posted by WildCat
I still have the links re-appearing on my Favorites though! And when I'm browsing that Casino site keeps opening up. :(
You still have malware running. I'm betting on a CWS variant. See spywareinfo.com for detection/removal instructions (it can be a real bugger).

[iain]

Originally posted by WildCat
I don't really want to use Firefox, would all pages work as intended w/ it? Pretty much.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to at least give Firefox a try. It's a better browser than IE (I use IE at work - no choice - and I much prefer the browsing experience I get from Firefox); it has more features, fewer security problems and, after all, if there is a site that firefox won't work with you can just fire up IE.

[Soapy Sam]

"The browsing experience? "

Too many commercials, lad. Dark room for four hours with damp cloth over eyes.

[De_Bunk]

AdAware and Spybot should sort it...


Also download "SpywareBlaster" its free and stops them being downloaded in the first place...

Its covers 99.9% of all CWS ( CoolWebSearch) spyware...and a whole lot more...

its a "Must have" piece of software...

DB

[WildCat]

I've run updated versions of AdAware, CW Shredder, and SpyBot S&D, as well as my Norton Anti-Virus Pro 2004 (which also zaps adware), but none of them seem to be able to catch this thing. I haven't had that Casino page open up lately, but those links in my "Favorites" keep re-appearing.

Is there any other free software for zapping adware Trojans? I don't want to spend money on something that might fix the problem.

Maybe I will give Firefox a whirl.

De_Bunk, I'll try SpywareBlaster also.

[BillyTK]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
This sounds similar to one of several recurrent probs I had with XP and IE6.

If you don't want to use Firefox or Opera (Still my favourite), can I suggest you do what I did and simply reinstall IE5?
But if you don't back up your stuff on a regular basis, make sure you do before attempting a re-install, and fingers crossed that you don't have the problems I did; I had to do a disk recovery thing because the IE re-install trashed my hard disk. The irony was that the problem wasn't browser-related in the first place *grumbles: so-called technical support-pah!*

[TillEulenspiegel]

I had this problem with adware. Whats happening is that the browser downloaded a program that either calls a java routine or rewrites the target sites to the browser. When I had it not only was I getting kicked to sites but the damn thing operates in the background and slows the puter. Anyway try Cntrl-alt-delete and see if you get a listing like "save.org" or "Usave" or somesuch bulls**t. The way I got rid of it was to use softice ( I had it ) to see what processes are operating (sometimes the process can be hidden from windows) . I then googled a search for that name and the site I reached pointed to the target program. Good luck.

sorry edit to add...........
Make sure that the puter is disconnected from the net . It has adaptive behavior and ET will call home if you try to delete the master file or the redirects!

[Riddick]

Firefox has a neat name, but that's about all it has going for it. Firefox wishes it had the tabs of Opera. Opera wins the head to head challenge against Firefox.

[TillEulenspiegel]

Originally posted by Riddick
Firefox has a neat name, but that's about all it has going for it. Firefox wishes it had the tabs of Opera. Opera wins the head to head challenge against Firefox.

Agree Opra rocks, you have to remember that it was designed by those Linux/GNU critters that abhor all things Bill.

Problem is though he's already got the clap.

What the hell You doin in wheat/cow country? go west young man

[Nasarius]

Originally posted by Riddick
Firefox has a neat name, but that's about all it has going for it. Firefox wishes it had the tabs of Opera.

Have to agree there. Opera has awesome tabs and a lot of features that require a few dozen separate extensions to duplicate in Firefox (I'm posting this with Firefox/Linux). I miss my drag+drop tabs. Maybe if I get some free time, I'll see if I can write a Firefox extension to do that. And why the heck isn't session saving a default feature?

On the other hand, I have fewer problematic sites (rendering problems, Javascript, etc) in Firefox.

[iain]

My personal preference is Firefox, though I like Opera and have used it enough in the past to actually buy it.

What really upsets me is websites that block anything that isn't IE or netscape just because they can't be bothered to test it. There are lots of good browsers out there. Some folks like IE, some like Firefox, Mozilla, Opera, Lynx, Konqueror, Safari or a bunch of others. The great thing is that you can find the one that suits you best; and that leads to competition which stimulates the developers to make their browsers better and better.

When I come across a website that blocks my browser, 90% of the time it works just fine when I trick it into letting me in.

[iain]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
"The browsing experience? "

Too many commercials, lad. Dark room for four hours with damp cloth over eyes. Can't I just run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. Please....

[michaellee]

The adware (Casino and friends) can be removed manually by editing the registry. Other than loading 3rd party software or re-installing XP, a system restore is the only other way I can think of. If you want instruction on editing your registry, email me.

[WildCat]

I think I found the answer here. (http://computercops.biz/postp234582.html)

Seems to be gone now, HijackThis is a great program!