[Caveman_biker]

When I double click my IE icon, I get an hour glass like the program is starting, but no window opens. If I look in my running processes, I see iexporer.exe running, but no window. Sometimes a re-boot can get it to work and sometimes opening up another session of IE works. Any suggestions? I have run the IE fixes on this forum (such as sfc /scannow) but it doesn't seem to help. I have also run spyware blocker and scanned.... I believe my system is clean. I also run the full suite of McAfee solutions. Where to start, it would be nice to get it fixed?

Jeff

Edited by Caveman_biker, 21 September 2005 - 07:54 AM.

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First things first, did you pay for McAfee? That can cause problems, so if you got it for free with your computer, I recommend you uninstall it and go with a free one. If you paid for it, sorry, maybe we can come up with something else.

Lets see a HJT log, not specifically for malware, but so I can see what you have running.

http://www.geekstogo...n=download&id=3

Download that, run it. Do a system scan and save log, then post the log here.

ScHwErV

[ScHwErV]

First things first, did you pay for McAfee? That can cause problems, so if you got it for free with your computer, I recommend you uninstall it and go with a free one. If you paid for it, sorry, maybe we can come up with something else.

Lets see a HJT log, not specifically for malware, but so I can see what you have running.

http://www.geekstogo...n=download&id=3

Download that, run it. Do a system scan and save log, then post the log here.

ScHwErV

[Caveman_biker]

Yeah, I did buy McAfee....I hope that isn't an issue, since I have been running it without problems for over a year.

Here is the logfile from HijackThis:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:14:58 PM, on 9/21/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\NotifyAlert.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WDBtnMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\WDC\CR\SetIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE\opware32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SPAMKI~1\mskagent.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\Program Files\mobile PhoneTools\WatchDog.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MSKSrvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\retrorun.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RioMSC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Jeff\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
O2 - BHO: McBrwHelper Class - {227B8AA8-DAF2-4892-BD1D-73F568BCB24E} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mcbrhlpr.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee PopupKiller - {3EC8255F-E043-4cae-8B3B-B191550C2A22} - c:\program files\mcafee.com\mps\popupkiller.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee Anti-Phishing Filter - {41D68ED8-4CFF-4115-88A6-6EBB8AF19000} - c:\program files\mcafee\spamkiller\mcapfbho.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPSExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe /embedding
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AsioReg] REGSVR32.EXE /S CTASIO.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSDrvCheck.exe -CheckReg
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WD Button Manager] WDBtnMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SetIcon] \Program Files\WDC\CR\SetIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Omnipage] C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE\opware32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSKAGENTEXE] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MskAgent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSKDetectorExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MSKDetct.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PRISMSVR.EXE] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\PRISMSVR.EXE" /APPLY
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WatchDog] C:\Program Files\mobile PhoneTools\WatchDog.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyexpr.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSKAGENTEXE] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SPAMKI~1\mskagent.exe
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler V3.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: MonacoGamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Monaco Systems\MonacoOPTIX 2.0\MonacoGamma.exe
O4 - Global Startup: MonacoReminder.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {39FD89BF-D3F1-45b6-BB56-3582CCF489E1} - c:\program files\mcafee\spamkiller\mcapfbho.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: McAfee Anti-Phishing Filter - {39FD89BF-D3F1-45b6-BB56-3582CCF489E1} - c:\program files\mcafee\spamkiller\mcapfbho.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .avi: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin.dll
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcaf...76/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} - http://software-dl.r...ip/RdxIE601.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1124493762347
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.mcaf...,16/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://www.popcap.co...aploader_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {E87F6C8E-16C0-11D3-BEF7-009027438003} (Persits Software XUpload) - http://upload.smugmu...vex/XUpload.ocx
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: Dac2erpm_ort - Creative Technology Ltd - (no file)
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SpamKiller Server (MskService) - McAfee Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MSKSrvr.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel® Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Launcher (RetroLauncher) - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\retrorun.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect WD Service (RetroWDSvc) - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Rio MSC Manager (RioMSC) - Digital Networks North America, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\RioMSC.exe

I hope this helps! Thanks for any assistance you can give!

[darth_ash]

Maybe the IE prefetch file is corrupted.
Delete the IE, prefetch file.
Follow the steps below:
Goto C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch.
Look for a file-name, which looks like: IEXPLORE.EXE-xxxxxxx.pf
(where xxxxxxx is some randowm number).

Delete that file.
Try to start IE again.

[Caveman_biker]

Deleting the prefetch helped to get in, but I need to keep doing it. That doesn't seem right. I was able to get in a few times, but then it happened again.....

[darth_ash]

Maybe the entry in the layout.ini (in the prefetch folder)still stays.
Delete the the new IEXPLORE.EXE-xxxxxxx.pf (if a new one was created) and also the layout.ini as well.

To get back a new, fresh layout.ini, follow the steps below:

1): Make sure that the task scheduler is enabled.If you are un sure go to-> Start/Contrl Panel/Administrative Tools/ Click on Services/ Then in the list of services make sure the Task Sheduler is enabled & restart the service by clicking on Start. Close the Services Folder & go back to desktop.

2): Then go to START/RUN/ and TYPE: cmd. CLICK OK. This will bring up the DOS Command screen.

3):You will need to copy and paste this entry in at the flashing cursor:
rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks
and press ENTER.

4) Check if layout.ini is re-created. If not, reboot your PC 3 times.

Edited by darth_ash, 22 September 2005 - 03:40 PM.

[Caveman_biker]

That didn't seem to work either. I followed the instructions, I'll try them again, but even after I did all of that, nothing came up. Once I deleted the prefetch, it popped up on the next try, but then didn't again on the second start-up.

Thanks for the help thus far.

Jeff

UPDATE: OK, I tried it again, and it didn't work.
I do want to note something, my wife just said she got a notification from McAfee about some PUP (Potentially unwanted program). She said it looked like that advapi32.dll file or something. The timing (a couple weeks ago) seems like it might correlate with when this happened. It looked like a registry entry when she explained it to me.....and I noticed just now that I can't restore my PC to an earlier time anymore.....

Edited by Caveman_biker, 22 September 2005 - 05:21 PM.

[Caveman_biker]

Well, I continue to have problems....I thought I could just delete the prefetch file and IE would start everytime immediately following that delete, but it doesn't. It seems to hang just as much as it used to. I would love to get this fixed, it is very frustrating.

Any other thoughts?

[darth_ash]

From your HJT log; look like there are some BHOs that were noy uninstalled propely; this could IE to hang as BHO are loaded when IE is started.

DO a HJT scan and place a checkmark next to each of the following items, then click FIX CHECKED:
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file).

Close all current IE, Open a new IE window; and see if it loads.

[Caveman_biker]

I fixed those entries using HJT but it still hangs. This is a real bummer.

[Caveman_biker]

Any other suggestions?

[darth_ash]

I suspect some other BHO is still causing the problem.
Goto Control Panel -> Internet Options.
In the Internet Options dialog; click the Advanced tab.
Look for EnableThird Party Browser Extensions and disable (uncheck) it.

Open IE to see if it works; if it does post back and we will try to find the culprit BHO.

[Caveman_biker]

That worked!!! It is opening everytime. Now how do I go about finding the culprit BHO??

Thanks a ton for all of the help!

Jeff

[darth_ash]

First of all we need to re-enable:EnableThird Party Browser Extensions, so follow the steps as my last post but this time enable(check) the option.

Now download and Install BHODemon from the following link:
http://www.majorgeek...wnload3550.html.

Open BHODemon and disable(un-check) all the BHOs from it manually.
Now enable each BHO one-by-one, and open IE to see if it hangs.
This will help us tp determine the culprit BHO.
Keep the culprit BHO disabled, and post back and tell me which one was causing the problem.

[Caveman_biker]

OK, I downloaded BHODemon and discovered that it is McAfee Popup Killer BHO that is causing the problem. Now what? Do I leave BHO running and just keep that disabled, or is there a more permanent way to fix that?

Thanks a million.

Jeff

Edited by Caveman_biker, 26 September 2005 - 07:01 PM.