IE is saying it is corrupted & I don't know how to fix it

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Guest

I'm using XP SP2. IE says it is corrupted and I've checked the Knowledge Base
and it says to re-install SP2. But when I go to microsoft's website where SP2
is
located, it won't let me re-install it. It says SP2 is already installed.
So then I think I should uninstall IE and then re-install it. But I'm afraid
I'll mess up something else in XP. Is there a way to just uninstall IE and
then only re-install IE with all the service packs without affecting the rest
of XP?
 
Jose,
Sometimes IE gets frozen and then shuts down. Sometimes when I close IE,
the program won't terminate and I get the window to end or cancel. Sometimes
IE just won't open. Sometimes IE opens to the wrong page. It's not consistant
but comes across to me that it is corrupted. I'm wondering if my browser has
been hijacked. How do I know for sure? Which programs should I run to best
detect if that's the case?
Learning
 
Learning said:
Jose,
Sometimes IE gets frozen and then shuts down. Sometimes when I close IE,
the program won't terminate and I get the window to end or cancel. Sometimes
IE just won't open. Sometimes IE opens to the wrong page. It's not consistant
but comes across to me that it is corrupted. I'm wondering if my browser has
been hijacked. How do I know for sure? Which programs should I run to best
detect if that's the case?
Learning
Click to expand...

http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Choose the Stand Alone Version. Run it in Safe mode.

Alias
 
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.**

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) computer repair shop.
 
"PA Bear",

I will try these tonight. I had a strange thing happen this evening. I was
logged into CompUSA's website checking on an order I did online few days
ago. The red saterick was next to a couple of required fields. One was my
phone number. I put the first number in and then a phone number I didn't
know filled in, as if someone had been using my account. I ried again and
another phone number came up. so I copied both of these numbers down and
then called both of them. Onenumber belonged to a friend who has no Internet
connection or computer. The other number belongs to a friend who I recently
called. Neither of these people have access to my computer. How would the
"saved phone numbers" get phone numbers of 2 friends of mine who I know have
no access to my computer? I'm really beginning to think someone gets into my
apartment when I'm not here. What do you make of all of this?

Learning
==================================
 
PA Bear:

I'm sorry about the multi-posting. I've never done this before. Thank you
for explaining it to me nicely. I deleted all the repeats below.

I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website. Does Google
manage the groups for Microsoft? So if I were to post to the other group
(which I'm not), what would I put at the bottom of this screen where it says
to "Cross-post to these discussion groups" [Use full USENET designation]? I
don't know what that all means?

Jose, The PC didn't come with XP SP2 installed. SP2 installation came
afterwards.

Those 2 phone numbers belong to friends of mine and I know they haven't
entered my apartment. But I am wondering if someone else has entered my
apartment and has used my friends' phone numbers. But even that doesn't make
any sense.

I've printed out everything everyone has said. Yes, it's complex. But I
want to learn, so I'm going to work my way through this.

From what I've read, I understand most of the path I should follow. I just
don't know what to do about #1, #2, and #8 below. Please guide me. I
appreciate your being patient with me and helping me. I've learned alot
already.

1. Uninstall SP2 and Wait to re-install SP2 until I'm done with the rest of
the following checks.
2. Or, Don't uninstall SP2 and continue to #3.
3. I have XP Pro and Office Pro 2003 so all the following checks are relevant.
4. Run the standalone version of cwshredder in safe mode.
5. Go through the list you gave me for checking for/Help with Hijackware:
aumha.org/a/parasite.html; quickfix
castlecops.com
mvps.org
inetexplorer.mvps.org
defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com
elephantboycomputers.com
6. Run HijackThis v1.99.1
7. Post log to: aumha.net; castlecops.com;forums.subratam.org (if there's a
problem)
8. You mentioned other appropriate forums for expert analysis. What would
those forums be? How do I find them?

Thank you again for helping me. I really do appreciate it.

Learning
 
[X-post to IE6 Browser from WinXP New Users]
I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website.
Click to expand...

The link I posted earlier was an archive of the WinXP New Users newsgroup
which resides on the MS newsserver. Google "harvests" such posts and keeps
them available seemingly forever. (They're usually deleted after 90 days on
the MS newsserver.) One can post to the newsgroups via Google Groups, too.

I can tell that you're accessing these newsgroups via the MS Communities
web-page. Don and I access them in a newsreader (e.g., Outlook Express).
It's easy to crosspost using a OE; it's a little trickier to crosspost using
the web interface; one cannot crosspost via Google Groups. Don't worry
about it for now, but please only post to one (1) newsgroup so we all know
who's recommended what as well as what you've tried so far.

My reply to José was an aside and not directed at you.

As your problems seem to have begun after you installed WinXP SP2, I'm still
sticking with my first response: Uninstall SP2, run a thorough check for
hijackware, including posting your HijackThis log to an appropriate forum,
and do NOT install SP2 again until an expert has given the machine a clean
bill of health.
7. Post log to: aumha.net; castlecops.com;forums.subratam.org (if there's
a
problem)
8. You mentioned other appropriate forums for expert analysis. What would
those forums be?
Click to expand...

Pick one of the forums listed in #7 & don't worry about #8. <wink>
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Security, Shell/User)

PA Bear:

I'm sorry about the multi-posting. I've never done this before. Thank
you
for explaining it to me nicely. I deleted all the repeats below.

I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website. Does
Google
manage the groups for Microsoft? So if I were to post to the other group
(which I'm not), what would I put at the bottom of this screen where it
says
to "Cross-post to these discussion groups" [Use full USENET designation]?
I
don't know what that all means?

Jose, The PC didn't come with XP SP2 installed. SP2 installation came
afterwards.

Those 2 phone numbers belong to friends of mine and I know they haven't
entered my apartment. But I am wondering if someone else has entered my
apartment and has used my friends' phone numbers. But even that doesn't
make any sense.

I've printed out everything everyone has said. Yes, it's complex. But I
want to learn, so I'm going to work my way through this.

From what I've read, I understand most of the path I should follow. I
just
don't know what to do about #1, #2, and #8 below. Please guide me. I
appreciate your being patient with me and helping me. I've learned alot
already.

1. Uninstall SP2 and Wait to re-install SP2 until I'm done with the rest
of
the following checks.
2. Or, Don't uninstall SP2 and continue to #3.
3. I have XP Pro and Office Pro 2003 so all the following checks are
relevant.
4. Run the standalone version of cwshredder in safe mode.
5. Go through the list you gave me for checking for/Help with Hijackware:
aumha.org/a/parasite.html; quickfix
castlecops.com
mvps.org
inetexplorer.mvps.org
defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com
elephantboycomputers.com
6. Run HijackThis v1.99.1
7. Post log to: aumha.net; castlecops.com;forums.subratam.org (if there's
a
problem)
8. You mentioned other appropriate forums for expert analysis. What would
those forums be? How do I find them?

Thank you again for helping me. I really do appreciate it.

Learning

--------------------------------------------------------------------


PA Bear said:
See my reply to your thread in IE6 Browser newsgroup. If you must make
identical posts to multiple newsgroups, please cross-post one (1) message
to all of them. Thank you.

Multiposting vs Crossposting:
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, PA Bear. It's 3am now and I'm going to finish working on this in the
daylight hours. I'll let you know what happens. :)

Learning
==================================

PA Bear said:
[X-post to IE6 Browser from WinXP New Users]
I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website.
Click to expand...

The link I posted earlier was an archive of the WinXP New Users newsgroup
which resides on the MS newsserver. Google "harvests" such posts and keeps
them available seemingly forever. (They're usually deleted after 90 days on
the MS newsserver.) One can post to the newsgroups via Google Groups, too.

I can tell that you're accessing these newsgroups via the MS Communities
web-page. Don and I access them in a newsreader (e.g., Outlook Express).
It's easy to crosspost using a OE; it's a little trickier to crosspost using
the web interface; one cannot crosspost via Google Groups. Don't worry
about it for now, but please only post to one (1) newsgroup so we all know
who's recommended what as well as what you've tried so far.

My reply to José was an aside and not directed at you.

As your problems seem to have begun after you installed WinXP SP2, I'm still
sticking with my first response: Uninstall SP2, run a thorough check for
hijackware, including posting your HijackThis log to an appropriate forum,
and do NOT install SP2 again until an expert has given the machine a clean
bill of health.
7. Post log to: aumha.net; castlecops.com;forums.subratam.org (if there's
a
problem)
8. You mentioned other appropriate forums for expert analysis. What would
those forums be?
Click to expand...

Pick one of the forums listed in #7 & don't worry about #8. <wink>
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Security, Shell/User)

PA Bear:

I'm sorry about the multi-posting. I've never done this before. Thank
you
for explaining it to me nicely. I deleted all the repeats below.

I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website. Does
Google
manage the groups for Microsoft? So if I were to post to the other group
(which I'm not), what would I put at the bottom of this screen where it
says
to "Cross-post to these discussion groups" [Use full USENET designation]?
I
don't know what that all means?

Jose, The PC didn't come with XP SP2 installed. SP2 installation came
afterwards.

Those 2 phone numbers belong to friends of mine and I know they haven't
entered my apartment. But I am wondering if someone else has entered my
apartment and has used my friends' phone numbers. But even that doesn't
make any sense.

I've printed out everything everyone has said. Yes, it's complex. But I
want to learn, so I'm going to work my way through this.

From what I've read, I understand most of the path I should follow. I
just
don't know what to do about #1, #2, and #8 below. Please guide me. I
appreciate your being patient with me and helping me. I've learned alot
already.

1. Uninstall SP2 and Wait to re-install SP2 until I'm done with the rest
of
the following checks.
2. Or, Don't uninstall SP2 and continue to #3.
3. I have XP Pro and Office Pro 2003 so all the following checks are
relevant.
4. Run the standalone version of cwshredder in safe mode.
5. Go through the list you gave me for checking for/Help with Hijackware:
aumha.org/a/parasite.html; quickfix
castlecops.com
mvps.org
inetexplorer.mvps.org
defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com
elephantboycomputers.com
6. Run HijackThis v1.99.1
7. Post log to: aumha.net; castlecops.com;forums.subratam.org (if there's
a
problem)
8. You mentioned other appropriate forums for expert analysis. What would
those forums be? How do I find them?

Thank you again for helping me. I really do appreciate it.

Learning

--------------------------------------------------------------------


PA Bear said:
See my reply to your thread in IE6 Browser newsgroup. If you must make
identical posts to multiple newsgroups, please cross-post one (1) message
to all of them. Thank you.

Multiposting vs Crossposting:
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Learning said:
PA Bear:

I'm sorry about the multi-posting. I've never done this before. Thank you
for explaining it to me nicely. I deleted all the repeats below.

I'm confused as to how to cross-post to the Internet Explorer 6 group now.
On your other post, the top of the page said the group was in
groups.google.com and I thought I was at Microsoft XP website. Does Google
manage the groups for Microsoft? So if I were to post to the other group
(which I'm not), what would I put at the bottom of this screen where it says
to "Cross-post to these discussion groups" [Use full USENET designation]? I
don't know what that all means?

Jose, The PC didn't come with XP SP2 installed. SP2 installation came
afterwards.

Those 2 phone numbers belong to friends of mine and I know they haven't
entered my apartment. But I am wondering if someone else has entered my
apartment and has used my friends' phone numbers. But even that doesn't make
any sense.
Click to expand...

Is it possible you have IE set to remember data in forms, part of
Autocomplete? If so, those are probably phone numbers you typed into a
dialer or other program. They're available here because the form had
the same title as in the address book program or wherever.
 
Joe,

I couldn't find the place to change your email address. Where is that
located?

Your comment about remembering data is a good one. I use both IE and
Firefox. Where do I go for both browsers to delete the saved information?
The more I thought of it, I realized I have DSL and I have called those
numbers on my phone. Could they have somehow got registered in my browser?

Learning
==================================
 
Learning said:
Joe,

I couldn't find the place to change your email address. Where is that
located?

Your comment about remembering data is a good one. I use both IE and
Firefox. Where do I go for both browsers to delete the saved information?
The more I thought of it, I realized I have DSL and I have called those
numbers on my phone. Could they have somehow got registered in my browser?

Learning
==================================
Click to expand...

Firefox:

Tools, Options, "Privacy" icon, "Saved Forms" tab, "Clear saved form
data now" button. Also look at the "Settings" button at the bottom of
that page; it concerns a shortcut for clearing private data, and which
items to clear.

IE:

Tools, Internet Options, Content tab, Autocomplete, "Clear Forms" button.

Email:

To correct my email, open your address book and enter, or edit any entry
with my proper address.
 
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