Help with Browser please

[annethedonn]

Hi, I recently installed Firefox and it overode IE as default browser. I've since tried installing a software CD with about 6 .exe files on it. I found that Firefox was a lot slower and I couldn't read the text very well so I uninstalled it (via add/remove programs). Not a good plan because it seems to have wiped out all my existing browser set up files so whenever I open IE or MSN explorer, it just bombs me out. I couldn't even link through emails or access this forum so I managed to re-install Firefox, as the problem only seemed to occuer when I had to log in.

I am still experiencing the same problem with IE & MSN now - any ideas what the problem could be?

thanks for any useful advice.

[kyber]

Hi Anne,

Odd.

Usually Firefox is faster than IE.

My first suspect would be the .exe files you have installed. What version of Windows are you running? Can you roll back to before you installed them? If not, is it practical for you to try uninstalling them. Firefox does work on MSN. You can also try re-installing IE.

Note that you may need to remove the applications from safe mode.

Stuart

[smirch]

roll back to before you installed them

yup like stuart said - if you have XP try a system restore
start>help&restore> and somewhere there under tools ..
just choose a date before u installed firefox
you wont loose files in mydocs.

[microbe]

Firefox can be slow for some people. I had big problems with it locking up when I was downloading large image files.

But it is easy to fix.

http://www.tonyspencer.com/mt/archives/2005/02/firefox_too_slo.htm

This worked very well for me.

[annethedonn]

Thanks Microbe & Stuart and all the others - I've changed the firefox settings but it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference.

The actual software I installed - there were 6 applications on the CD and one was for adobe photoshop - it downloaded a trojan downloader win32.sma which newly installed anti-virus checker from the sam cd obliterated!

Internet explorer just bombs out and it's not listed in my installed programs. I couldn't reload it as I couldn't access it! That's why I reinstalled Firefox to do that. I'm going to try downloading it again. Also, since all this when I go to search for files in explorer, only the little dog appears and the search bars are missing!!! What has happened to my poor computer????!!!! I have thought about doing a restore - might try that if nothing works.

I think I'm going to have to get someone in!!!! I'm certainly going to give someone a piece of my mind on Monday - namely these software suppliers!!!

[Webstuff]

Re-install IE. It should ask you if you want to make it default browser during setup; Choose "Yes", or check the corresponding box. If its already installed without this happening, and doesn't prompt you at any point, simply goto

Tools - Internet Options - Programs

In IE itself, and check the little box "Should IE check its the default browser...", then restart IE. The IE download homepage is;

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

[kyber]

IE is sort of part of Windows (until MS do what Europe tells them to and stop being fined) so it is part of the setup rather than an additional programme.

What is the source of the software you have installed? I would get onto the publishers if they their QA has allowed virual/trojan software to be introduced into their installation files as they may have a fix. I have heard of a few of the big publishers having problems from time to time but have not heard of Adobe ever having such a problem. You expect this kind of thing for people using pirate software (and frankly, as an ex-programmer myself, such people deserve whatever trouble they get) but not for the law abiding citizens of this forum.

If you have been hit by some malicious software, then all bets are off. You may well be able to remove a virus/trojan using decent AV software but other damage could still have been done. In which case a roll back or re-installation is the only way to go.

Stuart

[Webstuff]

You can download and install IE seperately from windows if you choose to do so. Spyware or adware may be adversly affecting your ability to browse, especially if you've used IE for a long time (its like a water bottle with pre-drilled holes!). I would suggest you try a virus scan, then this;

http://www.lavasoft.de/

Download Ad-Aware personal, update it straight away (this will take you a couple of hours on dial-up), and let it do its thing. This identifies a number of trojans / virii as well as spyware/adware.

[annethedonn]

HI, I already have Ad aware. I've contacted the people who supplied me with the software - a reputable company. I'm waiting to hear back from their support to see what they're going to do about it. If they don't fix it, then I'll have to have a word with my solicitor as to get the problem fixed is probably going to cost me money & it's also affected my working day.

Thanks guys for all your advice - much appreciated. I'll let you know how it goes.

[AHAEvents]

I'd recommend Spybot Search & Destroy. Personaly think its much better than Adaware.

http://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html

[annethedonn]

got that too & cw shredder plus 3 anti virus packages...

[annethedonn]

Further to above conversation I now have further problems with my laptop! My Internet Explorer, MSN Exploer & Office programs bomb out when I try to access most files. Also, the search functionality has become corrupted & I am unable to access system restore as it launches, then exits.

I received a software CD which had the following programs on it: - I’ve scanned the disk and it doesn’t appear to be infected:

Adobe Photoshop 2.0
NetObjects Fusion 7.5
ShopFactory e-flash
Hello Engines
AceFTP3Pro
Kapersky Anti-virus personal 5.0

I tried to install these programs and it goes into html to do this. Two of them, Adobe & NetObjects were to be opened, rather than saved to the hard drive, to install. However, as my default browser is Firefox, for some reaon, it wouldn’t give me the option to open them, so I chose to save but this wouldn’t allow me to install. I also tried downloading Netobjects online but I gave up after 4 hours. So, I uninstalled Firefox so that IE was my default browser as it wouldn’t let me revert. IE allowed me to open and install. When it tried to install Adobe, the Kapersky antivirus deteced a 910006_.exe and deleted it (Trojan-downloader.win32.small.ng) However, since doing this all the above now happens so basically my laptop is ‘*)&^(&!!!! I reinstalled Firefox so that I can at least have an internet connection.

I need to have this looked at as I am absolutely perplexed and don’t know what to do. I’ve logged the problem with the company who supplied me with the CD, but their support hasn’t got back to me yet. I need to establish what has caused this problem with Windows so that I can act accordingly.

I still have the problem with the user accounts gina.dll file, and the office short cut bar.

Is there a fully competent person who could 'analyse' my laptop for a reasonable fee - (or I could supply office services to the same value) who isn't too far from Farnborough in Hants?

Thank you kindly.

[kyber]

Frankly, you need to save your important data off of the computer and reinstall Windows and any applications you want from scatch. The chances of someone being able to unscramble Windows now are not great. Getting them (if you can not do it yourself) to run through Windows setup will be a lot cheaper and quicker.

As an aside, that is an odd collection of software. Photoshop 2 is an especially old version and I am not sure how happy it is with modern versions of Windows. (We have passed version 8 of Photoshop now into a new numbering scheme: CS and now CS version 2). Photoshop 2 is a lot less capable than modern alternatives such as Paint Shop Pro (now owned by Corel) for those who can afford the latest full version of Photoshop.

Stuart

[Webstuff]

in the meantime, goto start->run->msconfig->startup and remove all non-essential tasks. This should help you avoid some of the problems whilst you backup.

[ZMakarov]

pl z suggest me a best browser.. i m using Firefox but not satisfied with it .. as it is very slow..

[nickoloz]

Firefox can be slow for some people. I had big problems with it locking up when I was downloading large image files.

But it is easy to fix.

This worked very well for me.

I agree you same problems i had

[scottdsmith]

You may also want to give your system a clean, there are two great free tools to give your PC a detox...

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html

HTH :)