Please help if you can

[sjm1027]

Hi,
I am going nuts trying to figure this one out. I am trying to clean up a system Windows 98 IE6.0 and have the following problem:
I boot my system and go into IE and look at the home link it is About:Blank In control pannel I add in http://www.google.com and apply to save it for the home link. Then I go out and invoke IE and get this About:Blank Now this About:Blank brings up a search page with a lot of crap in it and also 2 windows talking about Spy Ware... This page fools people into hitting ok to make it stop BUT we all know if you hit ok your screwed. Well my brother must of hit it some time a while back.
I used spyBot today and removed over 200 things in his system, Downloaded a new upto date IE and when I reboot same thing happens.
Does anyone know where it's comming from? I deleted all history, cleared all bookmarks and just general cleanup... still having the problem. If I change the link to Google in control panel... and I then invoke IE you then get About:Blank... then if I type the google address and hit go I am ok until I invoke IE again.

Thanks
Steve

[Force Flow]

Did you try running adaware, as well?

Try taking a look here: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=100830

[kram 2.0]

Looks at this thread: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...=about%3Ablank

Panama Red kindly put up a guide on how to remove those "about:blank" hijacks - it's post #4. He posted a text document guide - I'd following the guide .



Hope that helps,
kram

[Lobos]

the method Panama red put up is for windows XP or 2000

windows 98 and ME have a different method

follow the directions iv'e put here

http://forum.pcmech.com/showpost.php...3&postcount=18

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and

create a folder for HijackThis in the root folder of your hard drive so it can make proper backups

example

C:/HJT/
C:/hijackthis/

next

Click here to download Hijack This. Save it to the folder you have just created

Close all open windows and open HIJACK THIS. Click “Scan” . When the scan is finished (it only takes a second), the scan button will change to“Save Log”. Click on“Save Log” and save it to NotePad. Copy the entire log and paste it here.

DO NOT FIX ANYTHING YET , most items that appear in the log are harmless or even needed. Wait for someone to analyze the scan and advise.

If you have anything disabled by MSConfig or any other startup manager, please re-enable it before scanning to post


so you will have a StartDreck log and a hijack log


Lobos

[yellohut]

run adaware and spybot, and make sure they're up to date.. if that doesn't work, do the hijack this suggestion listed above.

[sjm1027]

I have a question. I don't understand what you all mean about getting the Microsoft Console??? I went to start > Run > (typed in) E:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons but nothing happened. Also did the same for C:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons Nothing there. Am I doing this right?
I did download everything else.
Please let me know.

Thanks

[Lobos]

That method kram8806 pointed out is for windows 2000 and windows XP. Windows 98 doesn't have a recovery console.

Please follow the directions in my previous post

Lobos

[sjm1027]

Ok here is the STARTDREC.txt file attached.
Let me know what you find.
I appreciate your help

Steve

[Lobos]

hi sjm1027



Click here to down load CWShredder by Merijn Bellekom, the creator of Hijack This
If you have it already then make sure it is v1.59.1
Do not run CWShredder yet.
--------------------------------------------------------
Click here to download AdAware 6 181


Before you scan with AdAware, check for updates of the reference file 01R333 18.07.2004 by clicking Check for updates now, and following the prompts.

Now to set it up for optimum performance...

Make sure the following settings are configured. Remember that ON=GREEN.

From main window click Start | Activate in-depth scan.

Then click Use custom scanning options | Customize and have these options switched ON...

Scan within archives
Scan active processes
Scan registryDeep scan registry
Scan my IE Favourites for banned URLs
Scan my host-files

Then click the Settings button.. (the gear icon on the top row) then Tweak | Scanning engine and check..

Unload recognised processes during scanning.
Cleaning engine.
Let windows remove files in use at next reboot.

and uncheck..

Automatically try to unregister objects prior to deletion.

Then click Proceed, to save your settings.

Do not run AdAware yet.
-----------------------------------------------------
Now

Download Win98Fix from here

open the "Win98Fix. folder that you unzipped &

-DoubleClick on: 'RunFix.reg' file, hit 'yes'
on the prompt!
-Restart computer!
-File should be visible!
-Do 'find files' for this file
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SQLJ.DLL
and delete it


then run CWShredder and reboot and an Adaware and reboot

come back and let me know how it went


Lobos

[sjm1027]

Thanks, it will be a few days but thanks...