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View Full Version : Odd computer problem.

jeepnut
10-07-2003, 01:12 AM
Well, for the past couple of days, I have been unable to use most search engines. I cannot open Google at all. When I try to, I get a message saying that "Internet Explorer could not open the search page."

I can access yahoo.com, however, when I try to search, all I get is your standard "page cannot be displayed" page. I have the same problem with msn.com.

Excite seems to work for me, but that's about it.

Askjeeves and Lycos redirect me to these two pages:

http://www.www.askjeeves.com.org/
http://www.your.com/index.php?nf=1

I'm pretty sure that Google and the others are working for others which confuses me. Any idea why I'm having this problem? I would really like to be able to search again.
Ace195
10-07-2003, 02:28 AM
Unless your running windows XP I'd say try running IE Repair.. You would go to start , settings, control panel, Add remove programs , then click microsoft internet explorer then select add /rem then go ahead and click repair.. If that doesn't work or running windows xp try running windows update :)
Dyne
10-07-2003, 02:34 AM
It sounds like a cookie problem, actually.. but I wouldn't know what to remove. But anything going whacko in IE probably means cookies.
Ace195
10-07-2003, 02:39 AM
It sounds like a cookie problem, actually.. but I wouldn't know what to remove. But anything going whacko in IE probably means cookies.
Could be cookies too but in that case you would want to go to tools and then Internet options then Delete cookies and temp files.. Unless your running IE5 ect then you would have to click show files and delete them manually :)
jeepnut
10-07-2003, 09:44 AM
Could be cookies too but in that case you would want to go to tools and then Internet options then Delete cookies and temp files.. Unless your running IE5 ect then you would have to click show files and delete them manually :)

Well, I deleted my cookies and this time when I went to google, it took me to this page:

http://www.com.net/?mode=w6&mysearch=google

I have Windows XP Professional by the way.

Thanks for the help so far by the way.
Ace195
10-07-2003, 03:11 PM
Hmm.. If it's redirecting you to other things. It's probably spy ware or something like that. Try running adaware.
jeepnut
10-07-2003, 04:44 PM
I ran Ad-aware. Nothing has changed. :banghead:
Ace195
10-07-2003, 05:16 PM
Reinstall your browser from the manufacturer cd. If it still doesn't work I would do a backup and then reformat and start from scratch. Or try opera the browser.
The Duggler
10-07-2003, 05:17 PM
Stop installing crap on your pcs people.

Here, this should help you

http://nicelytoasted.net/burnt/archives/002913.shtml

Oh and Spybot is good for that kind of crap

http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10194058.html?tag=lst-0-1
jeepnut
10-07-2003, 08:24 PM
Stop installing crap on your pcs people.



Excuse me. I did not install any crap on my computer thank you very much.

And, I did what the site said to do and there were no listings for google.com in my hosts file. And may I remind everyone that it doesn't happen only with google, but with just about every search engine. Thanks for the suggestion though Ranzid.

I think I will try reinstalling IE next.
Dyne
10-07-2003, 09:00 PM
When you delete all your cookies through IE, it doesn't delete all the cookies if you look at the actual folder. Try deleting all those.
jeepnut
10-07-2003, 11:41 PM
When you delete all your cookies through IE, it doesn't delete all the cookies if you look at the actual folder. Try deleting all those.

Deleted everything in the temp files folder. I'm still having problems. I'm going to reinstall as soon as I find my disk.
The Duggler
10-08-2003, 09:10 AM
Excuse me. I did not install any crap on my computer thank you very much.

And, I did what the site said to do and there were no listings for google.com in my hosts file. And may I remind everyone that it doesn't happen only with google, but with just about every search engine. Thanks for the suggestion though Ranzid.

I think I will try reinstalling IE next.I'm sorry jeepnut, I just re-read my post and I didn't mean to come off as an asshole like that.

Anyways, there as to be something that installed itself whitout you knowing it, or it came with some other software you installed. Because I can't see any other explaination than this.

Does anyone know if something can install itself without asking, or secretly?

Did you try SPybot? It works very well, you should try it. Also, check everything that starts automatically at the boot up, there might be some program loading that blocks those search engines. Check out these places:

Start up folder in the start menu
Make a search for your run keys in the registry
And check for the running services (if you have XP of 2K)

If you see anything suspicious, remove it, but write it down, in case you need to add it again.
Ace195
10-08-2003, 02:21 PM
I personally think if your computer is giving you that many problems. Make a back up of things you want and then reformat :) Thats what I would do !
jeepnut
10-08-2003, 05:34 PM
I personally think if your computer is giving you that many problems. Make a back up of things you want and then reformat :) Thats what I would do !

Well, seeing as how I just reformatted about a month ago, I'm not too keen on doing it again.
Hero2
10-08-2003, 05:36 PM
have you tried throwing it out a window :)
and are you sure your not running windows ME :)
Ace195
10-08-2003, 05:39 PM
Well, seeing as how I just reformatted about a month ago, I'm not too keen on doing it again.
In that case I agree with hero..
jeepnut
10-08-2003, 05:47 PM
have you tried throwing it out a window :)
and are you sure your not running windows ME :)

Nope, I'm running Windows XP Professional. Most stable windows system in my opinion next to Windows 2000. I'm sure I can get this problem fixed. I just need to work on it for a bit. So far I haven't had time to sit down and really try things.

I'm sorry jeepnut, I just re-read my post and I didn't mean to come off as an asshole like that.

Anyways, there as to be something that installed itself whitout you knowing it, or it came with some other software you installed. Because I can't see any other explaination than this.

Does anyone know if something can install itself without asking, or secretly?

Did you try SPybot? It works very well, you should try it. Also, check everything that starts automatically at the boot up, there might be some program loading that blocks those search engines. Check out these places:

Start up folder in the start menu
Make a search for your run keys in the registry
And check for the running services (if you have XP of 2K)

If you see anything suspicious, remove it, but write it down, in case you need to add it again.

First of all, I didn't really take you all that seriously so it's not a big deal. I just don't want people thinking I'm an idiot. Although, that is probably unavoidable.

Secondly, I will try spybot. I'll let you know if it works.

And finally, I checked the startup folder and it's empty. Assuming of course I checked the right one. As far as your other two suggestions go, I haven't tried them because I wouldn't know what to be looking for.

*UPDATE* I installed and ran Spybot. Nothing changed except that I'm no longer being redirected when I try to go to Google. It just tells me now that IE can't open the search engine.
Jonbo298
10-08-2003, 05:57 PM
This is just a vague assumption, but when you downloaded Ad-Aware, after opening the program, did you click Update Reference List Now (or whatever its called at the main screen in Ad-Aware). Usually the copy that is downloaded is out of date and if you update Ad-Aware and run it, it should most likely find even newer stuff.

But other then that. Have you tried using any other browsers? If not, try downloading something like Opera or Mozilaa or Netscape 7.1 and see if they go to the correct site. If it/they do, then its an IE problem.
jeepnut
10-08-2003, 06:22 PM
This is just a vague assumption, but when you downloaded Ad-Aware, after opening the program, did you click Update Reference List Now (or whatever its called at the main screen in Ad-Aware). Usually the copy that is downloaded is out of date and if you update Ad-Aware and run it, it should most likely find even newer stuff.

But other then that. Have you tried using any other browsers? If not, try downloading something like Opera or Mozilaa or Netscape 7.1 and see if they go to the correct site. If it/they do, then its an IE problem.

Alright, I tried both of your suggestions.

First of all, the new updates for adaware did not solve the problem.

Secondly, I downloade Opera and I get a message saying that I could not connect to remote server www.google.com and also the same thing with yahoo.

Thanks for all the help so far though.
Hero2
10-08-2003, 06:25 PM
have you tried windows update
Jonbo298
10-08-2003, 06:52 PM
Alright, I tried both of your suggestions.

First of all, the new updates for adaware did not solve the problem.

Secondly, I downloade Opera and I get a message saying that I could not connect to remote server www.google.com and also the same thing with yahoo.

Thanks for all the help so far though.

If neither of those worked, you can call up the ISP and see if a Tech person can help. Since I'm thinking it's either an ISP problem or you have some weird assed Spyware that isn't as detectable or is very new. If they are too retarded to get an answer, the people of GT will keep trying.:D:p
Ace195
10-08-2003, 07:16 PM
Hmm Jeepnut Try going to Start RUN then typing in cmd then press Ok in the dos window type "netsh int ip reset C:\resetlog.txt" Don't put the quotes .. That will reset all of your cookie settings give it a whirl.. After you put that type exit and then reboot
Hero2
10-08-2003, 07:16 PM
yea right the isp would so oem that issue
then youll be calling microsoft and pay ****loads of money and they will tell you to reformat
jeepnut
10-08-2003, 09:18 PM
Hmm Jeepnut Try going to Start RUN then typing in cmd then press Ok in the dos window type "netsh int ip reset C:\resetlog.txt" Don't put the quotes .. That will reset all of your cookie settings give it a whirl.. After you put that type exit and then reboot

Well Ace, I tried what you suggested and it worked! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I owe you one man. In fact, everyone in this thread that suggested a reasonable solution gets plus rep. You get extra Ace.

=-D < jeepnut, now that he can search again.
Hero2
10-08-2003, 09:38 PM
that proves it resting tcp/ip is god and will fix all you problems as long as your on win xp
Ace195
10-08-2003, 10:17 PM
Yay! Anytime. Lol infact you can reach me at 1800 earthlink :P lol
sdtPikachu
10-13-2003, 04:23 PM
Excuse me. I did not install any crap on my computer thank you very much.


If you insist on running IE, it's quite happy to install crap for you. Without even telling you or making you press any buttons! Isn't that handy?!