IE 6 not remembering home page setting

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Guest

I just got a new laptop, IBM Thinkpad T42, running XP pro. For the past two
days (I've had the laptop about a week), each time I boot up, IE's forgotten
my homepage and defaults to MSN.com. I don't think I've been hijacked, since
the browser will remember my preferences until I power down the laptop. I've
run Spybot and Ad-aware; none of the usual suspects (like Xupiter) are found.
This doesn't appear to be the same issue that was listed in the other thread
("MSN hijacks homepage") since I didn't set my prefence to about:blank in the
first place.

Please help!
 
Hi sonia :-)

You have a hijacker or malware on your system. In addition to updating and
running your AV, download, install and run the programs below in Safe Mode
with Hidden Files enabled. This will remove the nasty you have and any
others it may have let in the back door. Some malware can replicate itself
repeatedly if not removed properly, so even if you have already run some
programs, run them again according to the information below. Follow all
instructions carefully:

First, Clear the TIF's and empty the recycle bin:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm

If so, then do the following:

WARNING>>>> Backup all documents and files before removing any spyware!!

How to properly scan for scumware (read first, if possible)
http://aumha.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5878

Download and install BHODemon from
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm
Your problem may be caused by a bad BHO.

Most importantly, download install and run CWShredder here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html
and About Buster, which searches for hidden .dlls that recreate the malware.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html
Then visit these two sites to test for parasites and help basic cleaning:
On-Line Check
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
and
Quick-Fix Protocol.
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php
Basically, throw everything here at your "infection".

Then download, install and immediately update these three programs before
running:
AdAware SE - Update immediately after installing
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
AdAware Tutorial -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=48
SpyBot S &D - Update immediately after installing
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html
SpyBot S&D Tutorial -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=43
Microsoft Windows Antispyware Program (Beta)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Also download, install and run CWShredder:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3019&file=11&evp=9e0433de9f8fd8e137fd6b3ff02edc90

Next, do an Online scan here (if possible) -
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
Make sure that you choose "fix" or "clean".

Download PocketKkillbox from
http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/killbox.exe
and put it on the desktop where you can find it easily

Download, install, and run HiJackThis - it is one of the most important
tools to help clean your system of scumware. Follow the instructions
carefully:

How to download and install HiJackThis: (it does not need to be updated)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict309.html

Please DO NOT post your log to this newsgroup. It is important that you go
to one of the HiJackThis Support Forums below and allow the experts there
to analyze it for youPlease DO NOT post your log to this newsgroup. It is
important that you go to one of the HiJackThis Support Forums below and
allow the experts there to analyze it for you.::
AumHa HiJackThis Forum
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
or Bleeping Computer Forum
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
to allow the experts there to evaluate your log and advise you of any
necessary steps to clean your system.
(Note: You will have to Register before posting on these Forums. Please
follow all posting instructions carefully to avoid having your log deleted
or ignored.)

Also, please post a link to the forum where you post your HJT log back to
this thread so that we can follow your progress there.

CAUTION!!!!! Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs
below, download a copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
(if your OS is Win2k or XP) The process of removing certain malware may kill
your internet connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will
enable you to regain your connection.

You should also get a copy of WINSOCKXPFIX available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
and
WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
with instructions, at
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
also... From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
(NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)
or Winsock Fix Utility
http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip

How to Restart in Safe Mode
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406

How to Show Hidden Files
http://snipurl.com/6rl8

Hope this helps :-)

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE/OE
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
Okay...I've done everything down through HijackThis. I'm not too keen on d/l
and running anything that's liable to disrupt internet connections. Comcast
is having enough problems on its end; I don't need to add to it from mine.
At least, not for now.

Needless to say, it's still happening...and now the homepage of choice is
Google, not MSN.

Here's the link to my HijackThis log post at bleepingcomputer:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/Sent_here_from_IE_Newsgroups_please_help-t16563.html
 
update...after re-booting again, MSN is back as homepage. I really hope the
folks at bleepingcomputer can help me...it's getting really annoying.
 
Hi sonia :-)
update...after re-booting again, MSN is back as homepage. I really hope
the
folks at bleepingcomputer can help me...it's getting really annoying.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link. Please be patient at the HJT forum, they are really
swamped and will get to you as soon as possible. They are usually fairly
prompt though, so hang in there. We'll get you back up and running soon.
On my way now to see what's up. <g>

Hope this helps :-)

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE/OE
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
Hi sonia :-)

While you are waiting for the results of your HJT log, here are a few other
things that you might check:

Home Page Setting Changes Unexpectedly,
or You Cannot Change Your Home Page Setting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=320159&product=ie

I can't change my home page - it keeps resetting
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page

Courtesy of Don Varnau

Go to http://www.fjsmjs.com/IE/homepage.htm Jump down to the info on
registry keys.

Homepage Problem errors & information
http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/iehome.htm

Hope this helps :-)

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE/OE
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
AHA! I got it. During a clean boot, I sat there waiting for the computer to
logon and it kept waiting for IMB Connections to run (which had been disabled
for the clean boot). It dawned on me that none of the problems had been
happening until I updated the software. Sure enough, there are Internet
settings in the profile for IBM Connections...and because that loads before
IE is launched, it automatically resets the homepage to what's listed there.

Problem solved. :)
 
Hi sonia :-)
AHA! I got it. During a clean boot, I sat there waiting for the computer
to
logon and it kept waiting for IMB Connections to run (which had been
disabled
for the clean boot). It dawned on me that none of the problems had been
happening until I updated the software. Sure enough, there are Internet
settings in the profile for IBM Connections...and because that loads
before
IE is launched, it automatically resets the homepage to what's listed
there.

Problem solved. :)
Click to expand...

Excellent! Great deduction work. I'm very happy to hear that you have
resolved your problem.

Thank you very much for posting back and letting us know what worked for
you, and for
the benefit of other readers who might have a similar problem. :-)

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE/OE
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.
 
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