Re: lots of spy-ware..gone.. but can't search in address bar

From: Jan Il (abuse_at_localhost.com)
Date: 09/18/04 

Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 07:08:13 -0700

Hi purpleme3 :-)

> Hi, I am hoping someone can answer this question because it is
> driving me nuts! Recently, my computer had alot of spyware etc on
> it. I removed it all.. (I am pretty sure). I check the registry, I
> have spybot, and I went through and checked the created date on all
> of my folders/files etc. So anyway, everything is back to normal
> except that I can't search from the address bar.. What's up with
> this? I set the defaults back so I have my search button correct and
> it brings up msn as it used. So how can I fix this search problem?
>

Since you did not post necessary information such as the version of Windows
or IE you are using, I can only make a general suggestion. You might try the
following and see if it helps:

Unable to search from IE 6.0 Address Bar

Check the Registry to see if this file is there. Sometime during
removal of hijackers or spyware files in the Registry can get corrupted or
removed as well. If not, try adding this line to this part of the registry.

(watch for the wrap, it should be all on one line)
>[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks]
"{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}"=""

also.......

Can't Search From Address Bar

A Single Letter May Be Displayed in the Title Bar
When you run Windows Explorer or start Internet Explorer, the text in the
title bar may be displayed as a single letter (for example, an "M" or an
"E").
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=225123
or
http://www.free-web-browsers.com/support/remove-mysearch.shtml

Restore default Search functions:

In order to restore you default Search functions, download and run the
program below. You will have to redo any customized features you may have
added afterward.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG

or....................

Courtesy of Tony Klein, MS MVP:

This will restore the Windows defaults for a whole lot of Search related
registry entries.

CAUTION: BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST!

Close IE, copy the bold to Notepad, save as Search.reg (save as 'all files',
and doubleclick. Answer 'yes' when prompted to add the contents of
Search.reg to the Registry:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search]
"SearchAssistant"="http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchasst.
htm"
"CustomizeSearch"="http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchcust.
htm"
"Default_Search_URL"="http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=ies
earch"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchUrl]
""="http://home.microsoft.com/access/autosearch.asp?p=%s"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\main]
"Search Page"="http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch"
"Search Bar"="http://search.msn.com/spbasic.htm"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\URLSearchHooks]
"{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497}"=""

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\DefaultPre
fix]
@="http://"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes]
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://

You can also check these keys and edit them, if necessary, as follows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\
DefaultPrefix default="http://"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\
Prefixes
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"

or.............................

Restrore Search:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG
This will restore your default Search functionality. You will, however,
have to restore any custom setups you may have had before.

Download the fix - Reset Search:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/tools/IEFIX.reg
This will restore your default Search functionality. However, if you had
any custom adjustments you have made will have to re-select them.

or.............

Repairs the corrupted or altered (spyware) HTTP prefixes
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/RepairDefaultPrefix.reg

If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

Jan :)
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that's why they're so contagious.

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