Bizarre IE problems--closing immediately, or freezing. 1

[jsteph]

I've been having the above mentioned issues with IE. I tried to reinstall, and it says there is already a newer version installed. I ran sfc /scannow, and it apparently replaced any system files needing replacement. I still get the above problems.

I then (after running 3 spyware products and nortons) found some odd things in the Files list using Process Explorer, under the IExplore process. A couple of dlls with names having few vowels, and their description was "IE Loader". eyitznmw.dll, and some other one just as strange. I'm fairly certain that is not an MS file, and I'm peeved that neither of the 3 top spyware finders and nortons missed them. Something is definitely wrong with the machine (NOT the one I'm typing on now).

I renamed those files(so as not to delete in case they were actually valid), and the IE freezing on startup problem stopped, but mow when I run it, it will just open, then just close almost immediately. I finally got it to stay open, and went to Windows Update, and when I get to the 'Windows Update is looking for available updates...' It just stays ther forever.

Has anyone experienced anything like this and is there a fix short of re-installing windows xp? Thanks
J

 

[bcastner]

There are some key steps to a malware moval process: faq608-4650

You might want to beta test:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

But both steps above presume internet access on the computer. Download and bring over by floppy IEFix:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFIX.htm

 

[jsteph]

bcasnter,
Thanks very much, that last one, iefix, helped. I can go to most sites now without freezing--ironically the exception is Windows Update. That freezes when I select the 'look for updates' option, or the Express update.

The machine is XP Home edition. Is there any way to get the download of the sp2 as a single .exe file? MS seems hell-bent on NOT offering this option, every single MS linke about SP2 says to get it, just turn on Automatic Updates and that's the only way to get it (aside from having them send a cd, which I don't have time for).
--J

 

[bcastner]

You have several choices for SP2:

. the complete download (ignore advice not to use this for single installs. This was a note to help preserve server utilization at Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

. Microsoft distributed a lot of free CD images. Ask at your local computer shop. Or order one on-line (it comes pretty quickly to your door):

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx