hijacked tool bars

[eric]

how do you remove tool bars that have 'highjacked' IE and
cannot be removed through conventional means. I have
tried everything I know to remove the tool bar, but it
will not go away

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP]

ToolbarCop:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Guest]

I also am unable to access tool bars, or remove the isearch bar. I've tried to go to the recommended site of mvps.org/sramesh2k, but keep getting a 'cannot find server' page. Appears that the site is being blocked. Any other ideas on how to get access to tool bars back?

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

iSearch seem to make entries to HOSTS file as well. Rename the file named "HOSTS" (without a file extension). This tip is from MVP Mike Burgess. The HOSTS file will be present in the following location:

Windows XP=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K=C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME=C:\WINDOWS

Just rename the HOSTS file to OLDHOSTS and try the remaining part of the advice.

[More Information]
Toolbars are locked - Unable to customize toolbar and tool band:
http://209.68.48.119/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

[Spyware removers - This part not to be skipped]
Lavasoft Ad-Aware - www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/
(Spyware removers are rules-based and are updated very frequently as and when new malware is discovered. Therefore, update both of these tools before scanning, very important)
CWShredder : http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

[All about HOSTS file]
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File:
http://209.68.48.119/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Antivirus Defense-in-Depth Guide
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=28734

I also am unable to access tool bars, or remove the isearch bar. I've tried to go to the recommended site of mvps.org/sramesh2k, but keep getting a 'cannot find server' page. Appears that the site is being blocked. Any other ideas on how to get access to tool bars back?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the prompt response. I got rid of the isearch bar. However, the options under view tool bars are still greyed out. Any ideas? (i've restarted the computer of course)

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Have you tried the REG fix? Or the manual registry edit mentioned in that site?

REG fix: http://209.68.48.119/sramesh2k/reg/IE_reset_restrictions.reg

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Antivirus Defense-in-Depth Guide
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=28734

Thanks for the prompt response. I got rid of the isearch bar. However, the options under view tool bars are still greyed out. Any ideas? (i've restarted the computer of course)

 

[Guest]

Worked perfectly. Donation on the way. By the way, I followed other ideas to 1) uncheck "enable 3rd party browser extensions, and 2) uncheck "enable install on demand". Should I check those again or leave alone?

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

You're welcome. You may enable 3rd party browser extensions but leave "Enable install on demand (other)" unchecked.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Antivirus Defense-in-Depth Guide
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=28734

Worked perfectly. Donation on the way. By the way, I followed other ideas to 1) uncheck "enable 3rd party browser extensions, and 2) uncheck "enable install on demand". Should I check those again or leave alone?