Why is this happening with IE?

[BTox]

After using the internet for some time (can vary from 5-10 minutes to several hours) after boot up, when I click on a site, it will send me to google (even though the correct address is in the address bar). Any other movements to other sites takes me to a google page as well. The only remedy is to shut IE down and restart it. Sometimes, it happens again immediately. Other times, it will not happen for awhile. Very bizarre and frustrating. I've just upgraded to the latest IE version and it makes no difference. Also have tried Netscape and it doesn't seem to do it, but haven't used it for extended periods of time.

This is a 2 year old Dell running Win 98. Also use a cable modem for internet access.

Any ideas? Or should I just switch to Netscape?

[Martin]

It's a Micro$oft product. Your guess is as good as mine. Probably better. Switch to Mozilla.

[Soapy Sam]

Is Google your IE homepage? I use a nice , blank HTML page for mine when I use IE. That way it doesn't try to go online any time I start it. There must be some setting in there that's referring you to Google. Tried dumping history / temp files / cookies etc?

[BTox]

My homepage is Yahoo. And I've tried dumping history, temp files, all cookies, nothing works. Sometimes (like 2 minutes ago) it gives an error message - file not found - but still on a google page.

[Soapy Sam]

The Internet's first Strange Attractor!

Might be worth using Regedit to find any odd settings for IE in the registry.
Run Regedit and then use the F3 search to cycle through-HKCU most likely. And check for any mention of Google while you are in there.

[richardm]

Have you tried running AdAware or Spybot, or something similar to these? It could be that you've picked up something nasty.

Also, do you use the Google toolbar? I do, and it recently upgraded itself automatically. If there is something buggy about that automatic process, it might cause the problem you're seeing.

Who knows?

[Soapy Sam]

In another thread here, (on Registry and Popups), Ove recommends downloading a program called "Hijack This."


I suggest you give it a try. If there are Browser "Helpers" being run from the registry, it will find them.

[Javalar]

Originally posted by Martinm
It's a Micro$oft product. Your guess is as good as mine. Probably better. Switch to Mozilla. Not that it is totally free of any problems. Twice now I have had to reinstall it because it would not download files anymore ( :confused: ). But in general it is a good product.

[ChrisH]

Originally posted by Martinm
It's a Micro$oft product. Your guess is as good as mine. Probably better. Switch to Mozilla.

Or Opera 7.

[De_Bunk]

I'd say...you picked up something...as RichardM posted...

SpyBot...Adaware...and then StrayCat....

DB

[crapmike]

like soapy sam said, download hijackthis http://tomcoyote.org/hjt/

after you download it, run the program, click scan and then save log.

go here , open a new thread by pasting the log and ask if there´s something wrong with it.

then run the program, click scan and then save log.

go here LINK (http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?;act=SF;f=32;st=0) open a new thread by pasting the log and ask if there´s something wrong with it.

or you can delete the problems by yourself, i don´t recomend doing this

[BTox]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give them a go and report back what happens... hopefully.;)

[Psi Baba]

I just visited a site called Smiley Central. "Download over 500 free smileys!" When I read the End User License Agreement, I noticed this tidbit:

"ALL OF OUR APPLICATIONS COME WITH THE MY WEB SEARCH™ BROWSER PLUGIN -- A CUSTOMIZABLE BROWSER TOOLBAR WHICH PROVIDES END USERS WITH EASY ACCESS TO SEARCH RESULTS FROM THE BEST SEARCH ENGINES ON THE INTERNET IN JUST ONE CLICK. THE APPLICATION IS INTEGRATED TOGETHER WITH THE MY WEB SEARCH BAR, ALLOWING YOU TO EASILY ACCESS THE APPLICATION'S FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY DIRECTLY FROM YOUR BROWSER. THE MY WEB SEARCH APPLICATION IS ALSO HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE AND ALLOWS YOU TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUTTONS AND LINKS. IN ADDITION, MYWEBSEARCH ALSO ENHANCES YOUR BROWSER EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING RELEVANT LINKS AND RESULTS IN RESPONSE TO MISSPELLED OR INCORRECTLY FORMATTED BROWSER ADDRESS REQUESTS."

I think I'll pass on Smiley Central.

[Zep]

Quick cross-check: Bring up your network connect and show the stats on it as you run. Is it running up numbers at a million miles an hour (especially outbound) even if you are doing nothing at all on the Internet?

If yes, you have got a the latest virus - Blaster. This also affects various other pieces of software to do with the Internet in funny ways. Perform all necessary actions to blow it away ASAP. Try here (http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.asp) to start with.

[Hand Bent Spoon]

IE provides a means of cleaning a misbehaving installation up:

Go to Add/Remove programs.

On the list of installed programs look for Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Highlight it by clicking on it once, then click the Add/Remove button.

A dialogue comes up asking if you want to add a component, repair the installation, or return to previous windows settings. Choose to repair the installation and follow the prompts.

You'd be surprised how many problems with IE this clears up.