Re: I want to change Search Engine

From: Jan Il (abuse_at_localhost.com)
Date: 10/04/04 

Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 09:23:44 -0700

Hi bubbles :-)

You may have a hijacker, malware, spyware or parasites on your system
causing this problem. In addition to running your updated anti-virus
program, you should do the following to be sure none of these are present on
your system. Some variants of malware can replicate themselves over and
over if not removed properly. Please follow all instructions carefully to
be sure your system is thoroughly cleaned:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Be sure to run CWShredder, Ad-aware and Spybot.
Also be sure to use the HijackThis. Please do not post your log to this
newsgroup, but to the SpywareInfo or the Aumha HiJackThis forums
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30, to allow the experts there to
evaluate your log and advise you of the necessary steps to clean your
system.

CAUTION!!!!! 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.

Also, get a copy of WINSOCKXPFIX available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
and
WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
Also, with instructions, at
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
also
>From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
also ....
(NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)

or ........

Winsock Fix Utility
http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip

Also.........

Courtesy of Jim Byrd -

Download Sysclean.com, from Trend Micro, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp along with the latest pattern
file, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp
Be sure to read the "How-to" info here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt
You might also want to get Art's updater, SYS-UP.Zip, here for future
updating of these: http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/.
(If you download and use the updater from the beginning, it will
automatically handle downloading the other files. Place them in a dedicated
folder after appropriate unzipping, and then run. This scan may take a long
time, as Sysclean is VERY extensive and thorough

and......

Additional information on how to protect your PC:
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
More security tips at http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

So how did I get infected in the first place?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=53751d8ff5915261af727df08e66ce0d
or
http://snipurl.com/980t

also.......

What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318378
Here's a link that may help..
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_ie_reinstall.htm

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=875350

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 :)
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.

How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> Hi Jan Il
>
> Okay, I opened IE and clicked on View | Explorer Bar | Search. All I
> got was the MSN search panel and no ption anywhere to change
> preferences. I downloaded
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG and
> still got the same after shutting down IE and re-opening. I didn't do
> the reg tweak as it says it only applies to IE4?
>
> I seem to be missing this option of change preferences no matter what
> I do! Any ideas?
>
> If it helps I running XP with SP2, and IE6 with applicable updates.
>
> Thanks
>
> "Jan Il" wrote:
>
>> Hi bubbles -)
>>
>> Try the following and see if it helps:
>>
>> Open IE and click on View | Explorer Bar | Search. This opens a side
>> panel for searches. If your side panel has the animated search
>> character, select Change Preferences and then select Change Internet
>> Search Behavior. A list of popular search engines appears, and you
>> can select your favorite from the list.
>>
>> This new default setting applies only to searches done from the side
>> panel. Entering keywords into the address bar will still trigger an
>> MSN search. But if you leave the side panel open, you can search
>> with your favorite engine without having to navigate to its site
>> first. And you'll get search refinement suggestions in the sidebar
>> along with your engine's results.
>>
>> If you'd rather search from the address bar, after selecting Change
>> Internet Search Behavior select With Classic Internet Search. Then
>> close IE and reopen it. The side panel will now contain a Customize
>> selection on the menu bar. Click on that to open the Customize
>> Search Settings dialog. Click on the Autosearch settings button and
>> you'll see a second dialog that lets you change the default engine
>> for searches from the address bar itself. Once you've chosen the
>> engine you prefer, you can close the side panel. Searches entered in
>> the address bar will now be sent to your preferred search engine.
>>
>> If you don't see your favorite search engine among those listed in
>> IE you may be able to add yours anyway. AllTheWeb, for example, lets
>> you click on an option to make it the default search engine in IE
>>
>> or..........
>>
>> Change the Internet Explorer Search Engine (All Windows)
>> http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/289
>>
>> CAUTION! Be sure to back up your registry before making any changes!
>>
>> or..........
>>
>> Can't customize search options
>>
>> Download and run:
>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG to
>> restore your default Search functionality. You'll have to manually
>> re-select any Customizations you may have had, however
>>
>>
>> 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 :)
>> Smiles are meant to be shared,
>> that's why they're so contagious.
>>
>> Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
>> Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other
>> readers.
>>
>> How to make a good newsgroup post:
>> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>> I want to change the search engine from MSN search. However after
>>> reading all the posts here, when I click on the search button on the
>>> toolbar and the search pane opens on the left hand side, I do not
>>> get any option to change preferences. I have clicked into customise
>>> search settings but there seems to be no options in here to add a
>>> search engine. To use search companion it tells me to click on the
>>> search button and change preferences!
>>>
>>> Any ideas anyone?