ISP browser hijacking - please help

[matt_richards]

Hello there,

There is this recurring problem that I have encountered several times on different computers I have been dealing with over the last few months. The problem occurs when people have installed Internet Explorer (or an upgrade) using a disk that was supplied by an ISP (freeserve in particular have been the main culprits). Whenever you attempt to launch internet explorer, you reach a standardised ISP sign up page which you have to complete before you can proceed.

The only ways I have found to get rid off it is to either a) install then uninstall explorer (time-consuming) or b) follow the setup process through to completion at which point the setup screen removes itself (impractical).

I'm sure I remember there being a very straight forward way of getting rid of this (something in win.ini or something similar) but I don't know exactly what it was.

I would greatly appreciate some help here,

Matt.

[catfishjoe_1]

Even when you type an address in the address bar? Is this your homepage (or theirs)?
cat

[matt_richards]

Frustratingly you can't even get that far - it intercepts it before it even gets chance to launch and greets you with the sign up page every time - even if you were just opening an image in IE.

[Markoman01027]

Welcome Matt_Richards,
You say you encounter this problem if you install IE from a ISP disk?

Download the latest version of IE from Microsoft.com

[Markoman01027]

First go into ADD/REMOVE programs and click on Internet Explorer and click on REPAIR.

After it is done repairing. Go ahead and give that a try. If that doesn't work, just upgrade to the latest version from Microsoft.com

I hope this works. Post back if it doesn't.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Try this and see if it works:

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the Internet Explorer folder. There would be a subfolder named SIGNUP.

Delete everything but the INSTALL.INS file.

HTH

PS: Plz post back and tell us if it worked. :)

[GaryRouth]

Hi Matt

For those computers that have FreeServe installed, here's a link to a fairly lengthy uninstall process that should remove it completely. There's three or four components to remove, a step at a time. The one that's driving you nuts the most = FreeServe calls its "Internet Connection Wizard".

"How do I remove Freeserve from my computer?"
http://www.freeserve.com/help/id/6109.htm

After it's gone, you can either stick with 5.5 or go to 6, either one should be OK.
. . . Gary

[matt_richards]

Thanks for all the feedback guys,

Markoman: Cheers, you're absolutely right about downloading a "neutral" version from the m'soft website - if it was me, I would do this. I have to troubleshoot a lot of computers as part of my job, so I am just trying to find the most efficient solution ready for the next time I encounter it - I just felt sure that there must be some setting somewhere that I could change without having to mess about reinstalling.

Krusader: That sounds very promising (I have seen that somewhere else). Sorry I can't report straight back with the verdict, but I am investigating this ready for when I next encounter it - I don't have an affected computer to hand at the moment.

Gary: That supports the above - hopefully I will be able to just to that part of the uninstall process.

Thanks all,

Matt.

[reboot]

I'd like to add, when I have encountered "branding" on a system, I always have a full install of IE5.5 on CD. Uninstall IE from add/remove programs, install IE5.5 from disk, then go to MS for updates (to IE6 and SP1 if needed).
There are also a couple of reg hacks to get rid of the old icons, and recover the standard spinning globe, but I can't remember where I put that tip.

[Sumdumgi]

I will try Nuc Krusaders advice, I have a problem with a hijacked browser currently. FYI: In win XP you cant repair or uninstall ie6 by using add remove programs.

I will post back results on Nuc's advice.

[Sumdumgi]

I just tried nuc's advice but my prob is different than matts so It didnt work for me. Please look at this link and tell me what I should try.
TIA
My Problem (http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51995)