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.

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

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.

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..?

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.

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

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.

pub.pif (usually an e-card) contains the Bugbear virus.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html

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

Fixed!
 

Thanks guys, the problem has now been solved!

PaperTiger, you were right, it was the Bugbear Virus, thanks very much for the advice! :O

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. :ok:

No luck
 

TCS I have tried to uninstall IE but it will not let me, the box which appears after clicking "add/remove" does not have a remove funtion, is there any other way to remove IE?

Meeb,

In Add/Remove programs, click on Add/Remove Windows Components.

Take Care,

Richard

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!

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

Tried that but no luck, IE will not uninstall... there must be another way... anyone...?

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

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

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... :rolleyes:

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

Yes Richard, this afternoon I did a complete reinstall of Windows '98 and I still cannot access IE.

Meeb,

With Win98 you can install on top of itself to refresh your system. That never fixes any problems. Having a clean Hard Drive and installing from the CAB files is the only way to get a fresh install of Win98.

If that is what you did, then the problem is a problem with either with the DNS Entries for your internet connection or your Firewall not allowing webpages. If you can surf with a different browser then there is a problem with the setup of IE. Did you put a checkmark in the IE setup to automatically detect settings? (It is in the LAN Options.)

Take Care,

Richard