IE hompage keeps changing automatically 1

[rzirpolo]

Every time I restart my computer\login my homepage keeps changing to a default of "

http://www.newtopsites.com".

I know what's happened I have obviously downloaded an add-on but now I'm stuck as I don't know what it is so I can't remove it ???

I have tried hunting around for and also searching the registry but have had no luck. I did find some info in regards to registry keys to check but these were not valid, (I'm on Windows 2000).

If anybody can help in terms of how to resolve or if there is an add-on I can use I would be most grateful, thanks.

 

[PAndersen]

See faq608-1148

 

[rzirpolo]

I followed the guidelines in faq608-1148 and was able to do most of them, this still did not resolve the issue as the homepage keeps changing when the computer is re-booted.

The steps I was unable to do in the FAQ were (maybe due to me running Win 2000 ?),

1) In Win98, to backup the registry, go to Start>Run, and type scanregw. Choose Yes to backup the registry again.

'scanregw' does not work from the Run command


2) Do a search in the registry for a key named restrictions under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer key and delete it. Then reboot your machine and add the key back and lock your homepage as described below.

I did not have a 'restrictions' key in the first place ?


3) HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet ExplorerRight-click on the Internet Explorer key, choose new>Key, name it Control Panel. Right-click on the Control Panel, chose new>DWORD value, name it Homepage. Right-click on Homepage, choose modify and type in the number 1.

This should lock your home page, so no other web site can change it.

I was able to do this and it locked the option to change the homepage but this didn't prevent it changing it still.


4) For all users of the computer, make the change to this key:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel

Under HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Policies\Microsoft there was no Internet Explorer ?


5) Go to Start>Run, type msconfig, click the startup tab and check here for clues. (look for something with Dialer,possibly)

'msconfig' does not work from the Run command.


PLEASE NOTE ALL OTHER GUIDLINES WERE DONE SUCCESSFULLY WITH NO PROBLEMS

 

[smitee]

robz8701


From Newsgroup..

This answer from Ronnie Vernon MVP was confirmed to work in a similar
thread:
--------quote
This appears to be one of the lop.com websites. If you download any of
their apps, it will automatically make your default search engine and
homepage one of their own. This information is buried deep within the
terms of their apps. They are less than honest about this.

Go back to that website and at the bottom of the page, click on About
LOP. The resulting web page wil have a removal tool that you can
download and run to get rid of it.

------end quote.

The whole thread is here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?oi=djq&as_q=newtopsites

(under "Can't get rid of annoying homepage&quot

smitee

 

[PAndersen]

As an alternative to MSCONFIG (which is not a part of Win2000), you might try StartupControlPanel or X-setup :

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

http://www.xteq.com/

The homepage is probably changed by a pirate program which starts at reboot or login. Both StartupCPL and X-Setup are simple to use, and will give you control of the startup process.

 

[rzirpolo]

SUCCESS !!!! Thanks PAndersen, I have marked your post as a helpful and expert post. I downloaded the software from

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

After installing and accessing Control Panel > Startup I noticed in my 'HKLM / Run' tab a process referencing Internet Explorer and this was the cause of the problem.

Great software as I have recommended to work colleagues and friends, thanks again.