Cannot launch browsers - - help!
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Alba sor
Cannot launch browsers - - help!
I think I might have suffered from the recent spate of virus problems through dodgy e-mails.
I cannot get either Explorer or Netscape to show web pages and my Zone lab firewall will not launch either. E-mail through outlook works ok. Is this the result of virus infection? Any help much appreciated as I am having to use my steam driven laptop to access the web at the moment!
Thanks folks.
I cannot get either Explorer or Netscape to show web pages and my Zone lab firewall will not launch either. E-mail through outlook works ok. Is this the result of virus infection? Any help much appreciated as I am having to use my steam driven laptop to access the web at the moment!
Thanks folks.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
It would really help if you listed the operating system you are using and the type of connection you use to get on the internet.
If you have a second computer there is a way around this problem. But we will look at that option later.
Take Care,
Richard
It would really help if you listed the operating system you are using and the type of connection you use to get on the internet.
If you have a second computer there is a way around this problem. But we will look at that option later.
Take Care,
Richard
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Alba sor
Hello Richard, thanks for that.
I am using Windows '98 and a standard modem with a telephone line.
I do have a laptop as well as the affected desktop, but do not know how to connect them together!
I have checked for the "swen.a" virus but came up clean.
I am using Windows '98 and a standard modem with a telephone line.
I do have a laptop as well as the affected desktop, but do not know how to connect them together!
I have checked for the "swen.a" virus but came up clean.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Alba sor
Thanks for the link TCS, however, one major problem... to run the checker on that link you need a browser! It also says not to install anti virus software on a computer you know to be infected...
Is my only course of action now to take my machine to a specialist..?
Is my only course of action now to take my machine to a specialist..?
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Wet Coast
Meeb, am I right that the browser does execute but won't access any pages ? If so then check what the start page is set to (tools, options, home page). If the home page is one of those which klez 'blocks'*, then the browser will appear to hang. Change the start page to something innocouous or better still to blank, and see if you can get in.
* a number of AV sites and microsoft.com too IIRC.
* a number of AV sites and microsoft.com too IIRC.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
If you can network your desktop and your notebook computer together, you can set up sharing on your desktop computer to share Drive C over your network. Then you could have your notebook computer scan the drive on the desktop for you.
It takes a little effort to setup and if you have a friend that understands setting up networks, they could help you set it up.
Take Care,
Richard
If you can network your desktop and your notebook computer together, you can set up sharing on your desktop computer to share Drive C over your network. Then you could have your notebook computer scan the drive on the desktop for you.
It takes a little effort to setup and if you have a friend that understands setting up networks, they could help you set it up.
Take Care,
Richard
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Alba sor
TCS Have run the Klez check and it came up clean
Paper Tiger, because I do not have the Klez virus I take your idea down not work, my browser (both Netscape & IE) are set to PPRuNe homepage.
Richard, I am afraid I do not know how to link my computers and anyway not too keen on that in case I end up with 2 knackered machines.
I have had a think about it all and I think it may have happened after I tried to open an attachement which was a 'pub.pif' file, could this be the source? Not sure what to do next other than junk the thing and get a new system although my e-mail works ok.
Anything further, please let me know, thanks.
Paper Tiger, because I do not have the Klez virus I take your idea down not work, my browser (both Netscape & IE) are set to PPRuNe homepage.
Richard, I am afraid I do not know how to link my computers and anyway not too keen on that in case I end up with 2 knackered machines.
I have had a think about it all and I think it may have happened after I tried to open an attachement which was a 'pub.pif' file, could this be the source? Not sure what to do next other than junk the thing and get a new system although my e-mail works ok.
Anything further, please let me know, thanks.
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Wet Coast
pub.pif (usually an e-card) contains the Bugbear virus.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
As long as your notebook does not run any of the files on the desktop computer, there is no way for the notebook to get infected. It is a relatively safe and simple operation.
Take Care,
Richard
As long as your notebook does not run any of the files on the desktop computer, there is no way for the notebook to get infected. It is a relatively safe and simple operation.
Take Care,
Richard
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Alba sor
Fixed!
Thanks guys, the problem has now been solved!
PaperTiger, you were right, it was the Bugbear Virus, thanks very much for the advice!
However, although my system is now back to where I started, for months I have not been able to use IE and have been using Netscape only, is there a specific virus to affect IE only, which has no effect on Netscape? I prefer IE and would like to get it back.
You guys know your onions, which anti virus software should I now rush out and purchase to aviod further probs?
Once again thanks to you all.
PaperTiger, you were right, it was the Bugbear Virus, thanks very much for the advice!
However, although my system is now back to where I started, for months I have not been able to use IE and have been using Netscape only, is there a specific virus to affect IE only, which has no effect on Netscape? I prefer IE and would like to get it back.
You guys know your onions, which anti virus software should I now rush out and purchase to aviod further probs?
Once again thanks to you all.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 575
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From: Alba sor
TCS & Richard,
I have tried what you both have suggested but it will not uninstall.
When I open the "Add/Remove Programs" window in the control panel and click on:
"Internet Explorer SP6 & internet tools"
then click "Add/remove"
a new box appears with only 2 options:
Add Components
Repair Internet Explorer
There is no option to uninstall, do I need to uninstall the whole windows 98? Will that not mean I loose all my hard drive info?
If you can help me get my IE back again I would be most grateful!
I have tried what you both have suggested but it will not uninstall.
When I open the "Add/Remove Programs" window in the control panel and click on:
"Internet Explorer SP6 & internet tools"
then click "Add/remove"
a new box appears with only 2 options:
Add Components
Repair Internet Explorer
There is no option to uninstall, do I need to uninstall the whole windows 98? Will that not mean I loose all my hard drive info?
If you can help me get my IE back again I would be most grateful!
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
Did you click on Add/Remove Windows Components on the left side of the Add and Remove Programs Window? There you will find a place to remove a checkmark next to IE.
Take Care,
Richard
Did you click on Add/Remove Windows Components on the left side of the Add and Remove Programs Window? There you will find a place to remove a checkmark next to IE.
Take Care,
Richard
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,335
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From: Wet Coast
IE6 will not let itself be uninstalled if there is no backup of a previous IE version on your system. Once again, Uncle Bill thinks he knows best 
Here is a convoluted workaround from Micro$oft. Not sure I'd recommend it, but if you must....
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=kb;en-us;Q293907
Here is a convoluted workaround from Micro$oft. Not sure I'd recommend it, but if you must....
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=kb;en-us;Q293907
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
The whole reason this thread was started was because you had a bunch of viruses and now parts of your system do not function properly. You have been fighting with this for over 10 days since you posted here. (My guess even longer before you posted here.)
Do yourself a favor and spend the 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the speed of your computer) and do a clean install of your OS. You will find, not only does it work better but it will run much faster too.
Take Care,
Richard
The whole reason this thread was started was because you had a bunch of viruses and now parts of your system do not function properly. You have been fighting with this for over 10 days since you posted here. (My guess even longer before you posted here.)
Do yourself a favor and spend the 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the speed of your computer) and do a clean install of your OS. You will find, not only does it work better but it will run much faster too.
Take Care,
Richard
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 575
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From: Alba sor
Richard, I havce done as you recommend but IE will still not show web pages.
Paper Tiger I have tried the microsoft route but the problem I have is after I highlight "IE 6 & Internet tools" and click "add/remove", the new box which appears has only 2 options, neither of which is a 'remove' option. The 3rd option in that dialogue box is not available to me, it is darkened out.
This will be my last attempt to resolve this problem as it is getting a bit tedious and in anycase I can still use Netscape...
Paper Tiger I have tried the microsoft route but the problem I have is after I highlight "IE 6 & Internet tools" and click "add/remove", the new box which appears has only 2 options, neither of which is a 'remove' option. The 3rd option in that dialogue box is not available to me, it is darkened out.
This will be my last attempt to resolve this problem as it is getting a bit tedious and in anycase I can still use Netscape...
Last edited by Meeb; 9th October 2003 at 00:49.
The Oracle
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,902
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From: Naples, Florida U.S.A.
Meeb,
So, since you first started this thread you did a fresh install of your OS? (A clean install, not a repair or an upgrade?)
If you are still having problems after a fresh install, the problem is something else other than the comp, as in firewall router, etc.
Take Care,
Richard
So, since you first started this thread you did a fresh install of your OS? (A clean install, not a repair or an upgrade?)
If you are still having problems after a fresh install, the problem is something else other than the comp, as in firewall router, etc.
Take Care,
Richard