Help plz

[DaveO'Leary]

Happend today, Click on MSN Explorer (xp) I expected as usual the MSN page to load...Nay... I get this page...http://g.msn.co.uk/01engb/1 (It's a search site for porno I'm not posting live link) so I tried my Orange/Freeserve (ISP) browser...Orange page has gone! Some other site offering search engine when it loads.

I've have the Orange home page (and it still is on 'home page' when using the Orange browser. But alas another web page opens when I click on to the Orange browser.

I've run Spy-Bot, Lavasoft Ad-Aware and my NaV still don't sort it out????????

Dave

[airborne_artist]

In the short term try using Firefox as your browser - which will pick up your bookmarks on installation. http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html

[VnV2178B]

Just a quick thought - this may be a hosts file hijack, look at the file named 'hosts' and see if the address you are being redirected to is in there.

I have had instances in the past where this has been the cause - the old CoolWebsearch problem!

best of luck

VnV

[Tarq57]

It almost certainly is a browser hijack. Try a different, and imo more competent removal too. Superantispyware, Asquared, AVG antispware spring to mind.

[DaveO'Leary]

Hi All
Update....I've used Spy-Bot, Lavasoft Ad-Aware and today bought a download of Spyware Doctor (it picked up 149 probs) but to no avail even ran my NaV. Still getting the... g.msn.co.uk/01engb/1 when logging on to MSN explorer. I've even loaded the url, when the site comes up it say..."Site under construction" under this there are links to porno sites. I get the same url when using my Orange/Freeserve explorer the above url shows, and displays random search sites as does the MSN explorer mainly adult content.

I've tried re-entering home pages ie. msn.co.uk/Orange.co.uk url on my 'internet properties' no go. Thing I have noticed....The 'Use current' tab on Internet properties seems disabled ie. not highlighted? Must be a hijacker.

Thanks all for the info...I'll give your suggestions a go. All else works no probs. It's just annoying like a stone in the shoe.

Dave

[Saab Dastard]

Interesting - www.msn.co.uk resolves to www.msn.co.uk.msnemea.nsatc.net [213.199.159.203].

www.msn.com resolves to www.msn.com.nsatc.net [207.68.173.76].

What happens if YOU ping www.msn.co.uk and www.msn.com?

If the destination IP address is different, then it would appear to be a hosts file hijack.

If you open up C Windows\system32\drivers\etc and view the hosts file in notepad (it doesn't have a file extension, just open with notepad), can you post the contents?

The default hosts file has only one uncommented (#) line entry:

127.0.0.1 localhost

If you haven't added anything else, then something else has!

SD

[terryJones]

Hi.
Just noticed this, IT MAY be similar to the problem I had.
Have a look , see if the DNS settings have been 'Got at' as in my REDIRECT post

[NutLoose]

have you turned off the windows roll back facility as well as clearing them? some will reboot with the pc if it is still on......... only thing is you then loose the ability to roll back to any saved points you had, also start in safe mode and run a wash there to get rid of them. if it is the old CoolWebsearch problem as mentioned, there is a specific free download programme for specifically getting rid of it, google it. to change the web link internet express opens in btw go on your internet browser page left click tools then internet options and then change the address the page opens in there.

[DaveO'Leary]

Hi All
Sorted!!!!!!!!! Not too sure what I did just downloaded a free copy of spyware bot, picked up something in a help file...logged off/turned pc off. Just booted and logged on to my Msn explorer..no more url in bar. Thanks for all your help and ideas.

Dave

[matt_hooks]

Glad you've sorted it Dave.

I had a problem with some adware a while back which I couldn't get rid of. I found a really useful forum staffed by volunteers who will talk you through a full clean up of your system. The address is majorgeeks. Join upo and go to the spy/adware removal forum. Go through all the initial cleanup steps and then post the info they request and they will tell you what is necessary and what you can get rid of. I thought I'd got my comp pretty clean, but after they'd advised me and I followed the instructions it ran about ten times better!

(Mods, the link isn't advertising, just a very useful forum I found. Hopefully you'll let it stand but if not then people can PM me for the address.)