Problems with 2 Explorers

[Julie]

I have 2 problems that I'm hoping someone here can help me solve:

1. Internet Explorer opens whenever I boot into Windows - even when I don't intend to surf the net. I've checked msconfig and IE is not in Startup.

2. In Windows Explorer when I click on a directory in the left pane,
instead of the contents appearing in the right pane, a NEW window opens with the contents.

I would appreciate any help.

I'm running Win98se and IE 5.5.

[GaryRouth]

Hi Julie

1) for the IE at bootup, check again in either msconfig or perhaps the tree-view for "Startup" in Start/Programs/Accessories/SystemTools/System Information . . . and on the left hand pane, click down to Software Environment....Startup. The details in the right hand pane will list where the program is "called from", which can help if you need to manually remove it from future startups. Even though you don't see IE itself being called, it's probably needed for the startup program that is asking for an Internet connection. Usually this might be something like Windows Automatic Update (which checks for Security updates and the like), multimedia players (such as RealOne, MediaPlayer, QuickTime) automatically searching for updates, or antivirus (Norton, McAffee, TrendMicro, etc) checking for virus definitions, etc ----that sort of thing.

You could also check for spyware with AdAware or Search&Destroy to make sure nothing is trying to send information without your approval. [links are on the software page over at http://www.spywareinfo.com]

2) To change how Windows Explorer is opening your folders, look in on your settings in the View menus and up in the Tools/Folder Options menus. You probably have a setting selected that reads something like "open each folder in its own window". I don't have a Win98 computer with me right now, but in Win2k it's under the "Browse Folders" options in the View menu.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[Julie]

Thanks, Gary.
I don't have some of the items you mention, such as software enviroment etc so I guess you must be running Win XP.
Anyway there must be something similar in Win98se, so I'll look.
Meanwhile I've run AdAware and AVG and nothing abnormal has been found.
Will let you know what happens.

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

If you can find the System Tools folder in Accessories on your Windows 98 Start/Programs menus, you should be able to find and click on System Information. The view is a lot like Windows Explorer. The default view on the right-hand side has to be clicked on to "expand" (you click on the plus (+) signs, just like in Windows Explorer)... Software is down the list a bit, Hardware is at the top of the list. This tool is included in all Win98 editions, but it's tucked away where it's not easy to find.

If you want, you can start disabling Startup items in msconfig (other than the Power Profiles, and Explorer), and see which one causes IE not to pop up at startup. You can try disabling all but the most basic, then add items back in until you see IE pop up. My guess is that it's probably not spyware (though that's important to check on anyway). Spyware tends to be a lot sneakier - it doesn't help a spy to pop up and announce he's there.

I imagine you may have found and fixed it already, I type slow.
. . . Gary

[Julie]

Actually I haven't tried your suggestions yet. There's been some problems here and I've been up all hours day and night.
Good of you to try and help.
Will certainly get back to you when my head stops spinning.

[GaryRouth]

[. . . I'm off to get a little shut-eye myself . . . been a long day/night at the lab . . .

Hope things clear up OK for you, both in the digital world and that other even more magical reality that is regular life. . . ]
. . . Gary