But, everything seems to run normally, but when "search" is clicked on the IE Explorer tool bar, at least 50 or more sleazy websites start loading automatically. Sometimes it is splattered so bad, the only way to stop the loading is by shutting down the computer.

I deleted all the cookies, all the crap in the history folder and temp internet files through IE toolbar internet options. I then performed a regedit, got into the Hotkey_Current_User/Software/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Search URL, and deleted a weird entry in the data box of (default) Reg_5Z.

I then rebooted the computer, brought up IE, clicked search, and all that sleezy stuff started loading again.

Is there some other place in regedit I might have missed?

Is there a solution besides FORMAT C:\ ?

HELP!

1. Check the programs installed in Control Panel, you find something may have been installed.
2. Make sure your home page in the Internet options is blank or something you have chosen. I believe this may be your problem. One of those sleeze sites may have changed your home starting page. Much as Netscape has slowly turned to crap over the years, I use their Bookmarks as my home page.
3. Install a firewall that also controls privacy. I am using Zone Alarm Pro. It blocks cookies, pop-ups, banner ads and what ever you want it to do. For $40, it ain't a bad deal.

Sleeze and warez sites make their money through ads and spyware. These items are usually installed and placed by banners and pop-ups and sometimes without your permission. If your homepage was changed, the popups will automatically start and you will mouse-trapped because you shutdown 1 window and they will open 2. You get "phugged" pretty hard and they do not even kiss you or give you any lube.

I don't think this is just an XP thing either. I had the same thing happen with 95, 98, NT and XP. It takes only one wrong click...

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First off, create individual user IDs for everyone who is going to use it, and make those restricted user status. That will enable them to run all the software they like and save files they create with it, but they will not be able to alter any system settings or install any new software. This can also stop some viruses in their tracks too, because when they try to alter registry settings W2K recognises that the virus is trying to do something which a restricted user is not allowed to do, and tells it to phug off! Likewise, if a porno site attempts to run dodgy scripts or whatever, it will get the same response.

Assuming their browser is Windows Explorer, go to tools - internet options - security and disable all scripts and cookies by default. If there are some websites that your employees have to use in the course of their work, enter those as safe sites.

I'd also install both antivirus and firewall software which works in a W2K/XP pro multiuser environment and which enables you to configure the settings and does not allow restricted users to alter them (Zone Alarm is no good, because restricted users can change the settings and remove security protection once they're logged on). Norton Antivirus and Personal Firewall both fit the bill, but they do cost a bit.

You might like to give an administrator ID and password to the general manager of the site and give him/her strict instructions not to give it to anyone else (even if one of the site's employees claims to be an IT expert) or use it except in a dire emergency - e.g. there's a serious crash and (s)he needs to hire a local technician in. Either that or keep this information yourself and give it directly to another technician if need be.

Finally, I believe W2K/XP pro has system logging features which enable you to find out if another user has tried to do anything naughty, but I've never investigated them.

Good sugestion above. Check the uninstall (add/remove programs).

Try using the built in system restore and revert the computer to an earlier state.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS:

Download the install for IE from microsoft (and the install for netscape as a back up) and save it on your computer. Next (and I know you will hate this)uninstall ie all together and remove the keys that still refer to the now non existant ie program and use the earlier downloaded setup to install ie. Not 100% sure how XP will like this but it did work on earlier os'.

First, go to this guy's page and download the hosts file he has. http://www.smartin-designs.com/
It will redirect most ad site requests to your local machine.

Anyone with a dialup connection will find that by using this file they can cut site loading times significantly!

Next, go here: http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
and start reading. Chances are very good that you have Blackstone or Winad or some other known adware that can be removed.

Look on Hotfiles or Cnet for AdAware by Lavasoft and run it.

I un-installed Windows XP, and discovered the problem did, in fact, exist. Since IE-6 had a few corrupted, missing and trunciated files, the repair tool basically said it was too far gone to repair it, and said re-install the product.

I re-installed IE-6 from the Microsoft website, and the problem seems to have gone away.

Thanks for the help, gents. The suggestions you offered were very helpful when coupled to the limited knowledge I have about some of these new fangled funky operating systems. It saved me alot of work!

I agree with the security camera bit. I had to install one once on my computer to find out who was breaking in at night to try and access my files.

This will still not stop some doofus downloading and running a loaded file.
Make sure in "folder options" you have "hide extensions of known file types" OFF! This little "feature" lets me send you a file named "i_am_not_a_virus.jpg.exe" and the computer will hide the .exe from you ... you only see the oh_yes_i_am_sucker.jpg file name (with a non-jpg icon but who looks at them) and I can do **anything** to your system if I can get you to open a .exe file. At least if the real extension is shown you won't accidentally open a .exe, .vbs, .shs, etc file... really you should only open any extension you know is safe like .txt!

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