Favorites Possibly Corrupt

[GTifeld]

Hi,

I have a friend with a "Favorites" problem. They seemed to have stopped
working. When he clicks on a link, it comes back with the "site not found"
error message. In some instances, I can actually see misc. characters
automatically inserted in front of the URL in the address field..

In most cases, manaully typing in the URL for the site will work and we can
re-save it as a new favorite. But there are an awful lot of links there and
I'd hate to tell him he'd need to redo them all.

Any ideas what would cause this and any quick fixes?

I should point out that the PC is running Windows 2000 (not XP) which
doesn't support IE7. Thanks in advance.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is the machine fully patched at Windows Update?

A. Reset Internet Explorer (IE)
====================
Note: This step will help us clear cookies, restore the security level back
to the default settings, and disable third-party browser extensions. Before
trying the steps, we can export the cookies so they can be easily restored
later if you desire:

1. Press "Alt" from your keyboard, click "File", and click "Import and
Export".
2. Click "Next", select "Export Cookies", and click "Next".
3. The file is saved by default to your “Documents†folder, click "OK".

If you would like to import the cookies after resolving the issue, please
select “Import Cookies†in file menu to import the saved cookies file and
choose the “cookies†file from your “Documents†folder.

For Internet Explorer 6.0:
----------------------------------------
1. Click Start, Run, type: “inetcpl.cpl†(without quotation marks) and press
Enter.
2. Select the General tab, and in the Temporary Internet files window, click
"Delete Cookies", and click OK.
3. In the same tab click Delete Files, check the "Delete all offline
contents" box and click OK.
4. Click the Programs tab, and click "Reset Web Settings".
5. Click the Advanced tab, and click "Restore Defaults".
6. Under the Advanced tab, uncheck "Enable third-party browser extensions"
(requires restart).
7. Click OK.

B. Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
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://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjunction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

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 or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

 

[GTifeld]

Yes, it is fully patched (minus a few optionals).

Thank you for the very helpful info. I'll give this a try as soon as I can
and let you know what happens. Have a great weekend.

--- Gary

 

[GTifeld]

Well, I did what you suggested and it SEEMS to be better, but not perfect.
Most of the websites are loading now, but about a handful of them take
multiple attempts to load. I find I have refresh them a couple of times, or
still manually re-type them to get their. Secure websites (https) seem to be
more of a problem. I tried checking the internet option of reloading pages
each time they are accessed (instead of automatic), but that seemed to make
it worse.

Any other suggestions? I did run Hijackthis and have a copy of the log.

Thanks.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

...I did run Hijackthis and have a copy of the log.

Repost:--
~PA Bear