Help--IE6 internet options glitched

[Richard Harison]

Hello...
I am running IE6 SP2 (also XP SP2) After downloading a security update (for
XP), I noticed that my auto disconnect feature was not working. Upon trying to
fix it, I noticed that NONE of the tabs came up on Tools/Internet Options except
security. I tried Norton's registry analyzer. (everything OK)
I tried to download IE6 SP1 from Microsoft--failed--it said "you already have a
newer version" (Duh)
What can I do? I thought of just removing the IE check box from Windows
Components (add/remove programs) and starting from scratch, but lamented the
loss of things like favorites and my advanced options settings. Hopefully there
is another way! Anybody know what that might be?

 

[PA Bear]

What update? Did you download/install it manually or was it offered by
Windows/Automatic Update?

Does uninstalling the update via Add/Remove Programs correct the problem?

 

[Richard Harison]

Thanks PA Bear...
add/remove doesn't show the update. Windows Update icon came on just today, so
it would be the latest critical update(s), whatever that was.
(KB924270,KB923980, KB920213). ALSO am not really sure that it was the update
that caused this. After all, how often do we go into tools/options? Could have
happened yesterday. Interestingly, I tried system restore (Dell flavor) and
went back over a week and it said my system had not changed. my ALSO the auto
disconnect feature has miraculously reappeared in the last 10 minutes. I just
want to know the least painful solution before I have to consider wiping my hard
drive and starting from scratch! Thanks

 

[PA Bear]

Add/Remove Programs should display the update(s) and date of install...if
you first check the Show Updates option at top-right. Look again and tell
me if any updates show as being installed in the past 24 hours or so.

You might try the /real/ System Restore if the issues persist. Before doing
so, however, open C:\WINDOWS\Debug\mrt.log <=this file > Scroll to the
bottom-most entry > Assuming says "Microsoft Windows Malicious Software
Removal Tool v1.21, November 2006" and the Results Summary section lists
infected files found, copy/paste the entire November 2006 entry into a reply
to this message.

 

[Richard Harison]

results of mrt.log:
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool v1.22, November 2006
Started On Wed Nov 15 17:34:59 2006
Extended Scan Results
----------------
No infection found as part of the extended scan
Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.
Return code: 0
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Finished On Wed Nov 15
17:36:26 2006

Recent MS Updates found (all 11/15/2006:
KB920213
KB922766
KB923980
KB924270

Thanks...await hearing from you

 

[PA Bear]

Thanks. I suspected the MSRT may have found & removed something, the result
of same causing the problem. Not so.

Either uninstall all four (4) of the updates or use System Restore
(selecting a Restore Point predating the install of the updates on
11/15/06). Upon rebooting, see if the problem's been resolved.

If not, best run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your
HijackThis log to an appropriate forum (not here) for review by an expert.

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://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware. **Post
your log to http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7, or other appropriate
forums for expert analysis, not here.**

 

[Richard Harison]

Thanks Pa Bear...
I am running Norton Systemworks 2005 & virus definition files updated as of
Wednesday. Ran automated scan today--nothing found
I am running Outpost 4.0 firewall--scanned for any malicious/spyware--found some
adware--deleted it rebooted-- no change

Questions:
1) I tried system restore even going back to a restore point week ago--kept
saying "nothing in
system changed"
The suspected updates were all 11/15/2006. So how could it possibly say
nothing has changed? It has worked flawlessly so far! (since 2002)
2) If I do uninstall the 4 suspect updates and the problem still persists--then
what?
(Also--will Windows Update recognize the fact that I did uninstall, and
allow me to re-install?
Should I uninstall one-at-a-time, reboot and check results?

Sorry this is such a head-scratcher--thanks for your continuing help
--
All the Best,
Richard Harison

Thanks. I suspected the MSRT may have found & removed something, the result
of same causing the problem. Not so.

Either uninstall all four (4) of the updates or use System Restore (selecting
a Restore Point predating the install of the updates on 11/15/06). Upon
rebooting, see if the problem's been resolved.

~~snip

 

[PA Bear]

Please don't <snip> your replies so severely, Richard.

A1. Did you use the /real/ System Restore or that Dell-flavor thing? The
former would not give you a "nothing changed" message.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

A2. Cross the bridge when you come to it. Windows/Automatic Update will
recognize their not installed and offer them again; if not, you can
download/install them manually, don't worry about it. Yes, uninstall one at
a time, rebooting if prompted to do so.

[My CrystalBall© is still telling me that it's a hijackware problem,
Richard.]

 

[mydeuce]

Hello...
I am running IE6 SP2 (also XP SP2) After downloading a security update (for
XP), I noticed that my auto disconnect feature was not working. Upon trying to
fix it, I noticed that NONE of the tabs came up on Tools/Internet Options except
security. I tried Norton's registry analyzer. (everything OK)
I tried to download IE6 SP1 from Microsoft--failed--it said "you already have a
newer version" (Duh)
What can I do? I thought of just removing the IE check box from Windows
Components (add/remove programs) and starting from scratch, but lamented the
loss of things like favorites and my advanced options settings. Hopefully there
is another way! Anybody know what that might be?

 

[Richard Harison]

Sorry about the snip--here is progress (or lack thereof) report:
1) removed/rebooted the 4 Windows updates -- no change
2) found out really is no "Dell flavor" of System Restore--only a shortcut they
provide
3) Went back 1 month-- it did say "cannot restore--no changes made"
4) ran hijackthis.exe, registered w/ their forum (username:richardharison)
pasted log from hijack this.

PA Bear, I have heard there are so nasties out there that infect system restore
files.
I am definitely coming on board w/ your suspicion of hijacking, tho I don't see
how. Am running totally up to date virus & spyware definitions from Norton
Anti-Virus and Outpost Firewall 4.0. But the fact remains:

IE6 won't let me use internet options
Norton Systemworks 1 button check no longer cleans temp files
Windows Restore doesn't restore anything earlier

I guess I wait for an answer from the forum, unless of course you have some
ideas--Thanks

--
All the Best,
Richard Harison

Please don't <snip> your replies so severely, Richard.

A1. Did you use the /real/ System Restore or that Dell-flavor thing? The
former would not give you a "nothing changed" message.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

A2. Cross the bridge when you come to it. Windows/Automatic Update will
recognize their not installed and offer them again; if not, you can
download/install them manually, don't worry about it. Yes, uninstall one at a
time, rebooting if prompted to do so.

[My CrystalBall© is still telling me that it's a hijackware problem, Richard.]
--
~PA Bear

Thanks Pa Bear...
I am running Norton Systemworks 2005 & virus definition files updated as of
Wednesday. Ran automated scan today--nothing found
I am running Outpost 4.0 firewall--scanned for any malicious/spyware--found
some adware--deleted it rebooted-- no change

Questions:
1) I tried system restore even going back to a restore point week
ago--kept saying "nothing in
system changed"
The suspected updates were all 11/15/2006. So how could it possibly say
nothing has changed? It has worked flawlessly so far! (since 2002)
2) If I do uninstall the 4 suspect updates and the problem still
persists--then what?
(Also--will Windows Update recognize the fact that I did uninstall, and
allow me to re-install?
Should I uninstall one-at-a-time, reboot and check results?

Sorry this is such a head-scratcher--thanks for your continuing help


~~snip

 

[PA Bear]

Richard, I see your thread in AumHa Forums:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=22691

One of us should get to your thread shortly. Please let's confine pertinent
discussion to the forum thread only from now on. Thanks.

Some observations:

3) Went back 1 month-- it did say "cannot restore--no changes made"

There's a BIG difference between "no changes made" and "cannot restore--no
changes made".

Norton Systemworks 1 button check no longer cleans temp files

This is NOT a good sign.

You do NOT need to reply to this message.
--
~PA Bear

Sorry about the snip--here is progress (or lack thereof) report:
1) removed/rebooted the 4 Windows updates -- no change
2) found out really is no "Dell flavor" of System Restore--only a shortcut
they provide
3) Went back 1 month-- it did say "cannot restore--no changes made"
4) ran hijackthis.exe, registered w/ their forum (username:richardharison)
pasted log from hijack this.

PA Bear, I have heard there are so nasties out there that infect system
restore files.
I am definitely coming on board w/ your suspicion of hijacking, tho I
don't
see how. Am running totally up to date virus & spyware definitions from
Norton Anti-Virus and Outpost Firewall 4.0. But the fact remains:

IE6 won't let me use internet options
Norton Systemworks 1 button check no longer cleans temp files
Windows Restore doesn't restore anything earlier

I guess I wait for an answer from the forum, unless of course you have
some
ideas--Thanks

Please don't <snip> your replies so severely, Richard.

A1. Did you use the /real/ System Restore or that Dell-flavor thing? The
former would not give you a "nothing changed" message.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

A2. Cross the bridge when you come to it. Windows/Automatic Update will
recognize their not installed and offer them again; if not, you can
download/install them manually, don't worry about it. Yes, uninstall one
at a time, rebooting if prompted to do so.

[My CrystalBall© is still telling me that it's a hijackware problem,
Richard.] --
~PA Bear

Thanks Pa Bear...
I am running Norton Systemworks 2005 & virus definition files updated as
of Wednesday. Ran automated scan today--nothing found
I am running Outpost 4.0 firewall--scanned for any
malicious/spyware--found some adware--deleted it rebooted-- no change

Questions:
1) I tried system restore even going back to a restore point week
ago--kept saying "nothing in
system changed"
The suspected updates were all 11/15/2006. So how could it possibly
say nothing has changed? It has worked flawlessly so far! (since 2002)
2) If I do uninstall the 4 suspect updates and the problem still
persists--then what?
(Also--will Windows Update recognize the fact that I did uninstall,
and
allow me to re-install?
Should I uninstall one-at-a-time, reboot and check results?

Sorry this is such a head-scratcher--thanks for your continuing help

Thanks. I suspected the MSRT may have found & removed something, the
result of same causing the problem. Not so.

Either uninstall all four (4) of the updates or use System Restore
(selecting a Restore Point predating the install of the updates on
11/15/06). Upon rebooting, see if the problem's been resolved.

~~snip

Richard Harison wrote:
results of mrt.log:
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool v1.22, November 2006
Started On Wed Nov 15 17:34:59 2006
Extended Scan Results
----------------
No infection found as part of the extended scan
Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.
Return code: 0
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Finished On Wed Nov
15
17:36:26 2006

Recent MS Updates found (all 11/15/2006:
KB920213
KB922766
KB923980
KB924270

Thanks...await hearing from you

Add/Remove Programs should display the update(s) and date of
install...if you first check the Show Updates option at top-right.
Look again and tell
me if any updates show as being installed in the past 24 hours or so.

You might try the /real/ System Restore if the issues persist. Before
doing so, however, open C:\WINDOWS\Debug\mrt.log <=this file > Scroll
to
the bottom-most entry > Assuming says "Microsoft Windows Malicious
Software
Removal Tool v1.21, November 2006" and the Results Summary section
lists
infected files found, copy/paste the entire November 2006 entry into a
reply to this message.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)


Richard Harison wrote:
Thanks PA Bear...
add/remove doesn't show the update. Windows Update icon came on just
today, so it would be the latest critical update(s), whatever that
was.
(KB924270,KB923980, KB920213). ALSO am not really sure that it was
the
update that caused this. After all, how often do we go into
tools/options? Could have happened yesterday. Interestingly, I tried
system restore (Dell flavor) and went back over a week and it said my
system had not changed. my ALSO the auto disconnect feature has
miraculously reappeared in the last 10 minutes. I just want to know
the least painful solution before I have to consider wiping my hard
drive and
starting from scratch! Thanks
What update? Did you download/install it manually or was it offered
by Windows/Automatic Update?

Does uninstalling the update via Add/Remove Programs correct the
problem?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

Richard Harison wrote:
Hello...
I am running IE6 SP2 (also XP SP2) After downloading a security
update
(for XP), I noticed that my auto disconnect feature was not
working.
Upon trying to fix it, I noticed that NONE of the tabs came up on
Tools/Internet Options except security. I tried Norton's registry
analyzer. (everything OK) I tried to download IE6 SP1 from
Microsoft--failed--it said "you already have a newer version"
(Duh)
What can I do? I thought of just removing the IE check box from
Windows
Components (add/remove programs) and starting from scratch, but
lamented
the loss of things like favorites and my advanced options settings.
Hopefully there is another way! Anybody know what that might be?

 

[Richard Harison]

Thanks PA Bear!
I share your pessimism--already getting mindset for complete hard drive wipe.
Will respect your desire to now contain within aumha forum.
So many thanks!!

--
All the Best,
Richard Harison

Richard, I see your thread in AumHa Forums:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=22691

One of us should get to your thread shortly. Please let's confine pertinent
discussion to the forum thread only from now on. Thanks.

Some observations:

3) Went back 1 month-- it did say "cannot restore--no changes made"

There's a BIG difference between "no changes made" and "cannot restore--no
changes made".

Norton Systemworks 1 button check no longer cleans temp files

This is NOT a good sign.

You do NOT need to reply to this message.
--
~PA Bear

Sorry about the snip--here is progress (or lack thereof) report:
1) removed/rebooted the 4 Windows updates -- no change
2) found out really is no "Dell flavor" of System Restore--only a shortcut
they provide
3) Went back 1 month-- it did say "cannot restore--no changes made"
4) ran hijackthis.exe, registered w/ their forum (username:richardharison)
pasted log from hijack this.

PA Bear, I have heard there are so nasties out there that infect system
restore files.
I am definitely coming on board w/ your suspicion of hijacking, tho I don't
see how. Am running totally up to date virus & spyware definitions from
Norton Anti-Virus and Outpost Firewall 4.0. But the fact remains:

IE6 won't let me use internet options
Norton Systemworks 1 button check no longer cleans temp files
Windows Restore doesn't restore anything earlier

I guess I wait for an answer from the forum, unless of course you have some
ideas--Thanks

Please don't <snip> your replies so severely, Richard.

A1. Did you use the /real/ System Restore or that Dell-flavor thing? The
former would not give you a "nothing changed" message.

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

A2. Cross the bridge when you come to it. Windows/Automatic Update will
recognize their not installed and offer them again; if not, you can
download/install them manually, don't worry about it. Yes, uninstall one
at a time, rebooting if prompted to do so.

[My CrystalBall© is still telling me that it's a hijackware problem,
Richard.] --
~PA Bear

Richard Harison wrote:
Thanks Pa Bear...
I am running Norton Systemworks 2005 & virus definition files updated as
of Wednesday. Ran automated scan today--nothing found
I am running Outpost 4.0 firewall--scanned for any
malicious/spyware--found some adware--deleted it rebooted-- no change

Questions:
1) I tried system restore even going back to a restore point week
ago--kept saying "nothing in
system changed"
The suspected updates were all 11/15/2006. So how could it possibly
say nothing has changed? It has worked flawlessly so far! (since 2002)
2) If I do uninstall the 4 suspect updates and the problem still
persists--then what?
(Also--will Windows Update recognize the fact that I did uninstall, and
allow me to re-install?
Should I uninstall one-at-a-time, reboot and check results?

Sorry this is such a head-scratcher--thanks for your continuing help

Thanks. I suspected the MSRT may have found & removed something, the
result of same causing the problem. Not so.

Either uninstall all four (4) of the updates or use System Restore
(selecting a Restore Point predating the install of the updates on
11/15/06). Upon rebooting, see if the problem's been resolved.

~~snip
<paste>
Richard Harison wrote:
results of mrt.log:
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool v1.22, November 2006
Started On Wed Nov 15 17:34:59 2006
Extended Scan Results
----------------
No infection found as part of the extended scan
Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.
Return code: 0
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Finished On Wed Nov 15
17:36:26 2006

Recent MS Updates found (all 11/15/2006:
KB920213
KB922766
KB923980
KB924270

Thanks...await hearing from you

Add/Remove Programs should display the update(s) and date of
install...if you first check the Show Updates option at top-right. Look
again and tell
me if any updates show as being installed in the past 24 hours or so.

You might try the /real/ System Restore if the issues persist. Before
doing so, however, open C:\WINDOWS\Debug\mrt.log <=this file > Scroll to
the bottom-most entry > Assuming says "Microsoft Windows Malicious
Software
Removal Tool v1.21, November 2006" and the Results Summary section lists
infected files found, copy/paste the entire November 2006 entry into a
reply to this message.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)


Richard Harison wrote:
Thanks PA Bear...
add/remove doesn't show the update. Windows Update icon came on just
today, so it would be the latest critical update(s), whatever that was.
(KB924270,KB923980, KB920213). ALSO am not really sure that it was the
update that caused this. After all, how often do we go into
tools/options? Could have happened yesterday. Interestingly, I tried
system restore (Dell flavor) and went back over a week and it said my
system had not changed. my ALSO the auto disconnect feature has
miraculously reappeared in the last 10 minutes. I just want to know
the least painful solution before I have to consider wiping my hard
drive and
starting from scratch! Thanks
What update? Did you download/install it manually or was it offered
by Windows/Automatic Update?

Does uninstalling the update via Add/Remove Programs correct the
problem?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

Richard Harison wrote:
Hello...
I am running IE6 SP2 (also XP SP2) After downloading a security
update
(for XP), I noticed that my auto disconnect feature was not working.
Upon trying to fix it, I noticed that NONE of the tabs came up on
Tools/Internet Options except security. I tried Norton's registry
analyzer. (everything OK) I tried to download IE6 SP1 from
Microsoft--failed--it said "you already have a newer version" (Duh)
What can I do? I thought of just removing the IE check box from
Windows
Components (add/remove programs) and starting from scratch, but
lamented
the loss of things like favorites and my advanced options settings.
Hopefully there is another way! Anybody know what that might be?