I.E. search function

[DanT]

Some time between late this morning and late this
afternoon the search function in I.E.6 stopped working on
one of two computers I use. It still works on the other
and they are both connected to the internet via a linksys
network hub. I still have internet connection on the
machine in question. All other functions appear to be
operating normally (ie. favorites links, hotmail,
searching within a website's search bar).

I tried reinstalling I.E., uninstalling google and
reinstalling, uninstalling flash and other plugins and
updating windows critical updates.

Anybody have any suggestions about why this has happened
and how to fix the problem?

The only things new I've done are to install (yesterday)
a dvdrw and put both computers on a ps/2 kvm switch so
they now share one monitor, mouse and keyboard. I
wouldn't have thought either of those things would cause
this problem, especially delayed by 12-15hrs.

For what it's worth, this is on a 1gig AMD/Athlon,
running xp pro (sp1) and a linksys fast ethernet adapter,
and I.E.6.

Help, please.
Thanks,
DanT

 

[PA Bear]

Rule out hijackware.

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

These days most of us are recommending HijackThis: Post your files to the
forum mentioned on the above page. Some of these bad guys have started
blocking users access to AdAware's and other's pages! More on this at
http://www.spywareinfo.net/sep16,2003.

If you cannot access the page to download HijackThis, use this link:
http://216.180.252.218/~spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/hijackthis.zip

If you find you need CoolWebSearch Shredder, use this link:
http://216.180.252.218/~spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/cwshredder.zip
(30 Sept-03: 1.21 is the latest version. Get a fresh copy of CWS Shredder
before each use.)
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
AH-VSOP
http://forum.aumha.org/

 

[Lj..]

Maybe you picked up the Qhosts-1 Trojan.

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?
id=description&virus_k=100719

 

[DanT]

On further investigation, I can say that using msn and
google search features will allow me to get results for
searches of addresses, maps & pictures. I cannot do a
web search or a dictionary search. Hope this helps
narrow the problem down.

 

[Malke]

On further investigation, I can say that using msn and
google search features will allow me to get results for
searches of addresses, maps & pictures. I cannot do a
web search or a dictionary search. Hope this helps
narrow the problem down.

I don't think this is hardware. You've probably picked up some malware
that is negatively affecting search abilities. Remove malware with
tools like Spybot Search & Destroy and/or Ad-aware. If that doesn't
solve your problem, please post back.

Malke

 

[rory]

Yes, there is a new Trojan called QHosts, which affects IE.
Information regarding this can be found here.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_100719.htm and
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html

...

 

[DanT]

Well I would have replied on the last post I read earlier
today, but this search function gives me such random
results that I could only find this one reply
tonight........Go figure, considering the issue at hand.

I just now finally got IE reinstalled in a working
state. The address bar now returns web and other search
results. Google still won't and I have yet to address
this other than having just removed it.

Thanks to ALL for their generous suggestions (a friend on
the phone suggested a virus as well). Unfortunately, I
still have no idea what has caused this.

I ran a full updated scan with Norton, AdAware and
Spybot, read all the info I was directed to and then
some. NOTHING significant turn6ed up at all (a couple
adware that I already suspected lurking about for at
least 6 months and causing no special harm).

I finally installed Netscape, uninstalled IE as
completely as possible, uninstalled msn explorer also,
then re-installed them both. Now it works.

I'll be happy to post more results as I make more
discoveries.
Meanwhile, if anyone has more thoughts on this subject,
I'll be anxiously checking this thread for a while and
would appreciate the insights.

 

[DanT]

Well I would have replied on the last post I read earlier
today, but this search function gives me such random
results that I could only find this one reply
tonight........Go figure, considering the issue at hand.

I just now finally got IE reinstalled in a partial working
state. The address bar now returns website search
results. IE & Google still won't return general search

words and I have yet to address