Hi,
You earlier message is there. Sometimes it takes a while to appear.
Is the current homepage a legitimate page or a page which indicates a
browser hijacking (adware/spyware/trojan?)
Homepage:
These and other third-party programs can lock the IE homepage.
Examine the settings of security/privacy/antispyware programs for the
option to lock homepage, lock IE control panel, lock IE settings, etc.
Spybot (Advanced Mode) Tools> IE Tweaks
Spybot- Teatimer
Ad-aware Pro
Norton AV 2006 (Web Browsing > Spyware protection)
McAfee AV or Antispyware
Spyware Blaster
Spysweeper
Zone Alarm- free and pro.
If you don't wish to dig through settings of whichever
security/privacy programs you have installed, you may be able to
startup in Safe Mode, change the homepage then restart the computer.
That won't always work- an earlier version of Zone Alarm free had to
be uninstalled.
315222 - A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222
- - -
Links:
Control panel> Add/remove programs> Set Program Access and Defaults,
choose Microsoft Windows or Custom. Make sure IE is selected as the
default browser.
- - -
As suggested by mu homepage question, this may be a malware problem-
adware, spyware, hijacker, trojan, etc.
See these sites for help:
The Parasite Fight
http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Malware Removal and Prevention Overview - CastleCopsWiki:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.html Removing Malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
827315- Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive
software:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=827315
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx
Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]
limey said:
This is a copy of a message I posted which seems to be missing from
the newsgroup.
Incidentally, I'm using XP-SP2, IE6 and OE.
I have tried to change my home page in the usual way; i.e., in the
browser I click on Tools > Options and insert http:/
www.msn.com ,
Apply > OK. Nothing happens. Would anyone have any suggestions,
please?
Second problem - I often cannot open hyperlinks in OE. However,
quite often when I return to the hyperlink it will occasionally
open. It's very inconsistent. I'd appreciate help with that, too,
if possible. Thank you.
Dora
