Re: Repair IE 6.0 in XP?

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Jim Byrd (jrbyrd_at_spamlessadelphia.net)
Date: 06/15/04 

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 09:12:35 -0700

Hi Moe - Sorry, I picked up the wrong URL. Try the fix here first:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312444&Product=ie

Then, if that didn't work, there are three additional things you might want
to check:

Fix # 1: Try running ie6setup in Safe Mode. This was suggested by
Microsoft Support to one correspondent and worked for him after he had tried
the fixes described below. If it doesn't for you then try the following.

Fix # 2: First, make sure in Windows Explorer/Tools/FolderOptions/View
that you show hidden and system files and show extensions.

Look in your c:\windows\inf folder and see if you find any files named
oemxx.inf which have a length of 0 (zero), where the xx can be any number.
There could be potentially many thousands. If you do, you need to erase
these. To do this, first select the c:\windows\inf folder, then hit Search.
In the Search pane on the left, enter oem*.inf and down at the bottom click
Size and At Most and 1 (one). Then do Search. When it finishes, you should
have all of the zero length oemxx.inf files listed in the right pane along
with possibly some of size 1K. Do CNTL A to select all of them. Now hold
down CNTL while you click on (de-select) all of those at the top that are
1K, so the only the 0K size files are left selected. Now hold down SHIFT
and click DELETE to delete the zero length oemxx.inf files without sending
them to the Recycle Bin. It will take some time if you've a lot of these
files, so be patient. You'll know when it's done. Symantec's System
Doctor is the usual culprit, but other programs can also cause this if
they're running when you do an install, particularly an install of system
software, so be sure to disable any such whenever you do an install.

Now for both Fix#2 and Fix#3, if your file system is FAT32 then re-start
your computer into DOS using a boot floppy if necessary and run Scandisk C:,
fixing any errors. If you're NTFS, then schedule chkdsk and re-boot. If
you're not NT or Win2k, also run Scanreg /fix. Re-boot to Windows Safe mode
and defrag your computer (which will also probably take a little time), and
try your install again from Safe mode.. If it works, fine.

Fix # 3: If not, or if you didn't have such zero length oemxx.inf type
files to start with, try the following. Find the c:\program files\internet
explorer\uninstall information folder (It may be named something slightly
different depending on your operating system, for example, just Uninstall in
WinME.) It probably will be hidden, and you will have to un-hid it. Right
click on the folder, select properties, then un-tick the Hidden attribute.
(If you don't have this folder, then create an empty one named: c:\program
files\internet explorer\uninstall information - now try your install again
in Safe mode, re-selecting all components, even those already bolded. See
below.)

Now create a new empty folder and call it something like "IE Delete Backup".
Move the contents of the \uninstall information folder to the new folder you
created. (Just the contents - leave the old folder there.) Now try the
install again from the start in Safe mode, re-selecting all components, even
those already bolded, that you want using the Advanced option, and see if
this works. It has in many, many cases, but not all. If it doesn't, you
can just restore the files you saved in "IE Delete Backup". Let us know how
you make out, so that if this doesn't help, perhaps someone else can suggest
something else for you. 

-- 
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
 In news:7B6C06A0-DD9A-49BD-B8BA-532E64080459@microsoft.com,
xumoe <xumoe@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> No luck...the article is for "ME", XP has no "Load Static VxDs" check box.
> I tried "Diagnostic" setting, Applied, Restarted.  Kept getting mesaage
for
> Sysconfig when restarting.  I tried IE Setup, it failed with same old
mesg.  I
> then reran msconfig selecting "Normal", Applied, Restarted  OK.  I tried
IE
> Setup, it started...but then I got the infamous message, "The software you
are
> installing has not  passed Windows Logo testing to verify its
compatibility with
> Windows XP.    The software will not be installed."  Sure enough it
wasn't. What
> do you think?
>
>> No Moe - Try this first:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309314&Product=ie
>>
>> --
>> Please respond in the same thread.
>> Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
>>
>>
>>
>>  In news:F775DBDF-3734-426F-A892-9826E56FD687@microsoft.com,
>> xumoe <xumoe@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>> Jim, Thank you so much for the info you have provided.  I'm starting to
go
>> to
>>> work now.  Unfortunately, after I downloaded IE 6 SP1, I tried to
install
>> and got
>>> an error  message as follows: "A previous installation has pending work
>> requiring
>>> a reboot.  You need to restart your computer to complete that
installation
>> before
>>> running Internet Explorer Setup.  Setup will now close."  I click OK; it
>> closes.
>>> Then I reboot and try again. It fails with the same message....
>>>
>>> In looking back at my notes from May 8, 2004, I see and I remember
>> downloading
>>> and trying to install IE6 SP1 and getting a messagfe about "not passing
>> Logo
>>> Testing..."  IE6 SP1 did not fully install.  But, since then, I have
>> reinstalled
>>> XP, and applied all the Automatic Updates.
>>>
>>> I'm thiniking that I should reinstall XP again, and then do all that you
>>> suggested.  Do you agree.  Or  do you have another suggestion?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>> Hi Moe - You need to download and install SP1 for IE6, then add any
>> rollup
>>>> "hotfixes" identified by Windows Update.
>>>>
>>
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.mspx
>>>>
>>>> You can check as to your OS version by running    Start|Run  enter
>> msinfo32
>>>> System Summary, Version will show you whether you have XPHE  SP1
>> installed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Then I would suggest that you do the following:
>>>>
>>>> There is substantial possibility of malware.  You might want go to this
>> page
>>>> at Jim Eshelman's site, here:  http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm or here:
>>>> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm and wait a little bit (be
>>>> patient), while an analysis of a number of possible parasites on your
>>>> machine will be made to help you identify and remove them.  NOTE:  You
>> will
>>>> need to disable Ad Blocking in Zone Alarm 3.x, if present or any other
Ad
>>>> Blocking software which interferes with Java Scripting for this scan to
>>>> work.  You should get a message between the two lines of **** giving
the
>>>> results of the scan.
>>>>
>>>> Run CWShredder, then AdAware, SpyBot, and HijackThis, below, in that
>> order).
>>>> Do the following:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs below,
>> download a
>>>> copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
>>>> http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html (if your OS is
Win2K
>> or
>>>> XP)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The process of removing certain malware may kill your internet
>> connection.
>>>> If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will enable you to regain
>> your
>>>> connection.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Download, UPDATE before running, and run:
>>>> http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe to remove the
>> parasite.
>>>> Be sure to close all instances of IE and OE.   You may also get it here
>> if
>>>> that link is blocked:
>> http://www.zerosrealm.com/downloads/CWShredder.zip
>>>>
>>>> BE SURE that you get v.158 or later!
>>>>
>>>> You will need to show Hidden files first and then at the end clear the
>>>> malware garbage from your System Restore backups after you've cleaned
up.
>>>> It's best to perform CWShredder (and most other malware fixers too)
from
>>>> Safe mode and then reboot. AFTER cleaning things up, then you can
disable
>>>> and then re-enable System Restore.  See ******** below.
>>>>
>>>> The following links give instructions on how to do these various
>> functions:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> HOW TO Restart in Safe Mode
>>>>
>>
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406>
>>>>
>>>> HOW TO Enable Hidden Files
>>>>
>>
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339>
>>>>
>>>> HOW TO Disable/Flush System Restore  (do this at the end AFTER cleaning
>> or
>>>> use the suggested procedure for XP at the ******'s)
>>>>
>>
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039>
>>>> (WinXP)
>>>>
>>
<http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001012513122239>
>>>> (WinME)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Then download and run:
>>>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/iegentabs.reg to restore
your
>>>> tabs and remove any restrictions that the parasite has put in place.
>>>>
>>>> Now download and run:
>>>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG to
restore
>>>> your search functions if they've been affected (as they probably will
>> have
>>>> been).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Be sure that you also download and install hotfix Q816093, here:
>>>>
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=816093
>>>>
>>>> which blocks the exploit upon which this parasite family depends.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> However, this also indicates that you may have acquired some other
>> malware
>>>> along the way. If you go to this page at Jim Eshelman's site, here:
>>>> http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm and wait a little bit (be patient), an
>> analysis
>>>> of a number of possible parasites on your machine will be made to help
>> you
>>>> identify and remove them. NOTE: You will need to disable Ad Blocking in
>> Zone
>>>> Alarm 3.x, if present or any other Ad Blocking software which
interferes
>>>> with Java Scripting for this scan to work. You should get a message
>> between
>>>> the two lines of **** giving the results of the scan.
>>>>
>>>> Get Ad-Aware 6.0, Build 181 or later, here:
>>>> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/.  UPDATE and run this
>> regularly
>>>> to get rid of most "spyware/hijackware" on your machine.   If it has to
>> fix
>>>> things, be sure to re-boot and rerun AdAware again and repeat this
cycle
>>>> until you get a clean  scan.  The reason is that it may have to remove
>>>> things which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.
>>>>
>>>> Another excellent program for this purpose is SpyBot Search and Destroy
>>>> available here:  http://security.kolla.de/  SpyBot Support Forum here:
>>>> http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi.   I
>> recommend
>>>> using both normally.  After UPDATING and fixing things with SpyBot S&D,
>> be
>>>> sure to re-boot and rerun SpyBot again and repeat this cycle until you
>> get a
>>>> clean "no red" scan.  The reason is that SpyBot sometimes has to remove
>>>> things which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.
>>>>
>>>> Note that sometimes you need to make a judgement call about what these
>>>> programs report as spyware. See here, for example:
>>>> http://www.imilly.com/alexa.htm
>>>>
>>>> Both of these programs should normally be UPDATED and run after doing
any
>>>> other fix such as CWShredder and, as a minimum, normally at least once
a
>>>> week.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> If they don't fix it then start here:
>>>>
>>>> Download HijackThis, free, here:
>>>> http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe  (Always download a
>> new
>>>> fresh copy of HijackThis [and CWShredder also] - It's UPDATED
>> frequently.)
>>>> You may also get it here if that link is blocked:
>>>>
>>
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3155&file=3&evp=3304750663b552982a8baee6434cfc13
>>>>
>>>> In Windows Explorer, click on Tools|Folder Options|View and check "Show
>>>> hidden files and folders"  and uncheck  "Hide protected operating
system
>>>> files".  (You may want to restore these when you're all finished with
>>>> HijackThis.)
>>>>
>>>> Unzip the downloaded HijackThis to any convenient folder, start it then
>>>> press Scan. Click on SaveLog when it's finished which will create
>>>> hijackthis.log. Now click the Config button, then Misc Tools and click
on
>>>> Generate StartupList.log which will create Startuplist.txt
>>>>
>>>> Then go to one of the following forums:
>>>>
>>>> Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support, here:
>>>> http://216.180.233.162/~swicom/forums/
>>>>
>>>> or Net-Integration here:
>>>>
>>
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?s=d3c2c886d536d57b5f65b6e40c55365e;act=ST;f=27;t=6949
>>>>
>>>> or Tom Coyote here:  http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?act=idx
>>>>
>>>> Sign in, then copy and paste both files into a message asking for
>>>> assistance, Someone will answer with detailed instructions for the
>> removal
>>>> of your parasite(s).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *******
>>>> ONLY IF you've successfully eliminated the malware, you can now make a
>> new,
>>>> clean Restore Point and delete any previously saved (possibly infected)
>>>> ones. The following suggested approach is courtesy of Gary Woodruff:
For
>> XP
>>>> you can run a Disk Cleanup cycle and then look in the More Options tab.
>> The
>>>> System Restore option removes all but the latest Restore Point. If
there
>>>> hasn't been one made since the system was cleaned you should manually
>> create
>>>> one before dumping the old possibly infected ones.
>>>> *******
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Once you get this cleaned up, you might want to consider installing the
>>>> SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard here to help prevent this kind of thing
>> from
>>>> happening in the future:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (Prevents malware
>> Active
>>>> X installs) (BTW, SpyWare Blaster is not memory resident ... no CPU or
>>>> memory load - but keep it UPDATED) The latest version as of this
writing
>>>> will prevent installation or prevent the malware from running if it is
>>>> already installed, and it provides information and fixit-links for a
>> variety
>>>> of parasites.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html (Monitors for
attempts
>> to
>>>> install malware) Keep it UPDATED.  Both Very Highly Recommended
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Finally, go to Windows Update and ensure that ALL Critical updates are
>>>> installed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Please respond in the same thread.
>>>> Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  In news:82A75CF0-9239-48B3-AB82-7FE1413661CC@microsoft.com,
>>>> xumoe <xumoe@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>>>> About IE says, IE 6.0.2600.xpcInt-qfe.021108-2107.  Update Version
>> Q37009,
>>>>> Q32894.  I've nerver specifically installed XP SP1.  I've been
assuming
>>>> I'm at
>>>>> SP1 level just because of all the Hot fixes in the Add/Remove Programs
>>>> list that
>>>>> refer to SP1. All updates I've installed are from the Auto Update
>>>> functionality
>>>>> of XP.  I belive I installed all that have been sent.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Moe - I'm more than a little confused about what you have
installed
>>>> and
>>>>>> what you've done.  Do you have Win XP HE, SP1 installed w/ ALL
current
>>>>>> updates from Windows Update?  A number of the Q's you cite are
installed as
>>>>>> part of Windows XP SP1.  Do you have IE6 SP1 installed?  (In IE6
click
>> on
>>>>>> Help|About Internet Explorer and note what it says next to Update
>>>> Versions:
>>>>>> It should be something like     ;SP1; Q832894; Q330994; Q831167
if
>>>> SP1
>>>>>> and the latest "rollups" are installed.)
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Please respond in the same thread.
>>>>>> Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  In news:9E1DF5FE-6248-42AD-8AAF-AA428BCE37DB@microsoft.com,
>>>>>> xumoe <xumoe@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>>>>>> Jim, I downloaded and ran qfecheck.  It listed seveal hotfixes that
>>>>>> "should be
>>>>>>> reinstalled, such as, Q308677, Q312370, Q312484,  Q314147, and
others.
>>>>>> How do I
>>>>>>> get them and apply them?  When I check the MS Download Site, my
search
>>>>>> yields no
>>>>>>> results.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> FYI.  I'm on XP Home Edition 5.1.2600 from Gateway.  To fix my
original IE
>>>>>>> problem, I reinstalled XP from the 2 year old  System Disk and
applied
>> all MS
>>>>>>> updates that I was notified about.  IE 6.0 continues to fail.  I've
run
>>>>>>> spybot.
>>>>>>> I have maintained Norton AV for over 2 years, MS Automatic Updates.
I
>>>>>> connect to
>>>>>>> 2 VPN's without problems.  Is it possible the "explorer" program is
not
>>>>>>> corrupt,
>>>>>>> that I just have some settings wrong?  When I use Netscape
Navigator,
>>>>>> everything
>>>>>>> seems to work fine.  The articles I referred to prompting me to
>> reinstall XP
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> MSKN 318378, 315341.  The one thing that was good about the
reinstall is it
>>>>>>> fixed
>>>>>>> my corrupted WMI.  I threw all this in, just in case you know of
users
>>>>>> with
>>>>>>> similar problems.  Is it reasonable for me to try to install stall
XP
>> from an
>>>>>>> OEM
>>>>>>> system disk that comes with a laptop I just purchased for my son?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi PLC - There is no direct Repair function for IE6 in XP.  Here
are
>>>> some
>>>>>>>> alternatives:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 1.  With XP you need to go to Start|Run and type "sfc /scannow"
>> (without the
>>>>>>>> quotes and notice the space between the c and the /.)  Have your XP
CD
>>>>>>>> handy
>>>>>>>> and be prepared to go get a cup of coffee - it takes a while.  This
>> will do
>>>>>>>> the same thing as Repair IE6 for XP but a lot more, that is find
any
>>>>>> corrupt
>>>>>>>> system files and replace them.  It does not, however, re-register
the
>>>>>>>> various software components (except possibly the ones it replaces?)
>>>>>> AFAIK.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Be aware that under certain circumstances (Win2k before SP4 - see
>> mskb
>>>>>>>> 814510,
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q814510) sfc
>>>>>>>> can erroneously overwrite (restore over) previously installed files
>>>> from
>>>>>>>> certain "hotfixes" which will then need to be re-installed.  To
check
>>>> for
>>>>>>>> this, after running sfc, open a Cmd window and enter "qfecheck /v
>>>> /l:c:\"
>>>>>>>> (without the quotes).  If you don't have qfecheck installed, it can
>> be
>>>>>>>> obtained for XP here:
>>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=35468 and
>> for
>>>>>>>> Win2k, obtain qfecheck here:
>>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=35470
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 2.  Another alternative that works on Win2k and may or may not work
on XP
>>>>>>>> (but probably does - I've heard both stories), for just IE6 repair
if
>>>> you
>>>>>>>> don't have IE6 listed in Add-Remove Programs, then in Start|Run
then
>>>>>> enter
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "rundll32 setupwbv.dll,IE6Maintenance"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> without the quotes, exactly as shown, and select the appropriate
>> entry.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 3.  If you find that you need to do a re-install of IE6 then you
can
>>>>>>>> consider the following,    I can't verify this for XP (I'm Win2k -
it
>>>>>> works
>>>>>>>> there, and I've had good reports from XP users), but you might want
to give
>>>>>>>> it a try at your own risk.  Again, enter this at Start|Run without
>> the
>>>>>>>> quotes and be careful about the spacing:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132
>>>>>>>> C:\windows\inf\ie.inf"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 4.  Lastly, here is a link to a MSKB article about re-installing
>>>> IE6/OE6:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in
>>>>>> Windows
>>>>>>>> XP (Q318378)
>>>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=kb;en-us;Q318378
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Please respond in the same thread.
>>>>>>>> Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>  In news:1bdeb01c450f8$f47200c0$a001280a@phx.gbl,
>>>>>>>> plc <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>>>>>>>> How do I repair IE 6.0 when it's not listed in the
>>>>>>>>> add/remove programs in control panel?  OS WinXP.
Quantcast