How to remove "Adult Links" bar from the Explorer

[shiguera]

I have W98, the problem is: every time I open windows explorer or internet explorer the Adult Links bar appears. I have unchecked it but this configuration does not prevail from there on, it's just for the actual window only. What should I do to remove this annoying bar?

[GaryRouth]

I'm not familiar with the toolbar that you're referring to, but if it was placed there by a program you downloaded, you'll need to find some way of uninstalling it. You don't really want to run a "selective startup" from sysconfig forever (I'm guessing that that is where you "unchecked" it from? = if not, -then where?)

If you can't find an option to uninstall the offender from the Add/Remove applet in your Control Panel, you can try to remove it manually (I'll get to that in a minute), or you can also try downloading & running AdAware, in the chance that it's an ad-based program that placed the toolbar there. If that's the case, ad-aware should detect it, and offer to delete it's files and it's registry changes for you. AdAware never makes changes unless you select them from a list (by default, anyway - there is an advanced setting that can override this, but you don't need to worry about that now).

To manually uninstall it, if you know the parent program, would be to search your hard drive for a folder containing it's program files, and delete them: then search through the Registry for keys that match that software Exactly. I don't recommend this method unless you're a more advanced user & know how to restore registry entries if your editing goes wrong. If you do choose this route, make your backups first.
____
Of course, you can also wait to see if another of Pc Mech's techs has more experience with the toolbar you mention, and has a simpler remedy! . . .

Best of luck & Happy Holidays
. . . Gary

[I recommend AdAware whether or not it removes the toolbar - it will probably find a few things to clean up - nearly inevitable when browsing todays Internet]

[morriswindgate]

Get Spybot Search and Destroy from www.lurkhere.com
It is in the download section. Install and run it. Then go into IE and from the Tools menu slect Internet Options and then the Programs Tab and clicck on the Reset Web Settings button.

[shiguera]

Thanks to both of you for your comments. When I say that I "uncheck it" it´s from the VIEW-TOOLBARS menu, where it is appearing. I've been looking in my hard disk to see if I find any strange folder or file but I haven't found the right one. I'll go ahead and download the files you suggested and let you know later. Thanks.

[shiguera]

I downloaded Adaware and Spybot, both removed a bunch of things that looked like garbage to me but neither of them solved the actual problem...any other suggestions?

[Sgt_Rock]

start/programs/accessories/system tools/system information

Once tha's up, go into tools & select system configuration utility

Click on the startup tab & see if you can identify it on there.
Chances are it'll be near the bottom with an identity like run =
Just click to take the check mark off

[dldz]

Alot of good ideas I had a simular problem and I went back a few days using scanreg/restore . And that took care of it,I also reccomend downloading Spider It does a nice job of cleaning up hidden URLs etc.
Don

[N/A]

kewl...you are having same problem as me...lol. there is someone in my house,who i think is dumb, receive "regular xxx" mails. as men's nature,he would click those and click Yes on every installion applet that comes on.
i think i've seen the one you are refering too.the "adult link" was under the address bar.i clicked the links that popped up many xxx links.at the very bottom,you should see "uninstall" option next to a recycle-bin-like icon.
even if you dont see one,poke around the program/its folder.there should be a uninstall option.
also try this.go TOOLS in IE,click INTERNET OPTIONS.on the GENERAL tab,click on SETTINGS.then click on VIEW OBJECTS.you should see third party IE plugin programs.that adult program should be one of them.select the one you think,right click and click REMOVE. if you arent sure which is which,right click on them,go to PROPERTIES.at the buttom,you should see a "Code base URL"go to that url...that should give you a pretty good idea about the program.

ps.whoa,i just found a program,with a funky name,that has code base from http://www.absolutefreesmut.com...i just clicked remove.

[GaryRouth]

Good point, N/A. . . I hadn't thought of the programs that lurk semipermanently in the Temporary Internet Files folders. Nice tip.
. . . Gary

[AlwaysUp]

Just as a matter of debate, GaryRouth, I am not in agreement of

You don't really want to run a "selective startup" from sysconfig forever (I'm guessing that that is where you "unchecked" it from? = if not, -then where?)

I run selective startup at all times on my 98SE boxes with no ill effect. It is the easiest and most effective method to keep unnecessary proggies from loading at startup. They can always be reenabled or launched from start menu.

[dldz]

I too always run selective start up and when I work on someone elses machine I go in and choose the startup,I'm not amazed anymore at the amount of crap people have loading and changing they're registry on the startup anymore. The problem I had reguarding this whole thing wasn't an 'adult site' it was a movie site you could D/L movies at. When you rt click on anything the movie option was there and I didn't like it, my wife used my box to subscribe and I hate it when things like that get changed on my boxs menus.

[AlwaysUp]

Try this. Right click My Computer>properties>performance tab. Note your % resources. Close. Run msconfig and check selective startup then deselect one known proggie that you don't require. OK and reboot. Check performance tab again. Most little TSR proggies like this eat 1 or 2 percent resources each. You will be amazed how much faster your system boots and performs when just a few unneeded programs are not allowed to grab resources at startup! NOTE: If you have MSOffice installed, deselect Microsoft FindFast, as this is a particularly resource gobbling monster.

[GaryRouth]

Hi all

Re: the "selective startup" debate -

I'm referring in particular to bypassing items in the win.ini and system.ini files, rather than items in the "Startup" tab in sysconfig.

My preference is simply to change the Preferences of the offenders, or remove their startup entries from the Registry if that's easier. And to edit the win.ini and system.ini files until things match the current setup.

I've never had any problems cleaning up the Registry when I need to. But I'm pretty careful and have a bunch of Registry books lying around.

So, yes, selective startups that simply avoid things listed under the Startup tab aren't a problem, but I wouldn't want to have to bypass my win.ini and system.ini files on every start.

I probably could have been clearer. My wife is always telling me that (so it must be true). Just be glad that at least I'm typing, because she says I mumble too

Best of luck, Happy Holidays, Warm Hearts & Hearths to All
. . . Gary