Every time I click the icon I get this - the web browser itself doesn't even open it just comes up with an error report. I've re-installed internet explorer and the same fault keeps happening. Any suggestions?

Install Firefox?

Have you done Virus and Spyware scans??

Install Firefox?

I did, which is the only reason I still have internet! But there are a few websites that are still not firefox-compliant (e.g. one of my bank accounts) and insist that you use internet explorer.

Have you done Virus and Spyware scans??

Yes, but it's all clean. Am really drawing a blank here!!!

It's a longshot but have you been to the windows update site?

It's worth using a scanner like Microsoft Anti-Spyware that can pick up BHO's (browser helper objects) and reset IE settings.

Download it here if you haven't got it: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popup-Ad-Spyware-Blockers/Windows-AntiSpyware.shtml

It's a longshot but have you been to the windows update site?

Yes, that's where I went to re-install it. But it can't scan and detect what version of internet explorer you have through firefox, you have to go there via internet explorer, which I can't do :(

Here is the direct link for IE if you can't get it

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1e1550cb-5e5d-48f5-b02b-20b602228de6

Alternatively have you tried system restore if you are using XP?

Here is the direct link for IE if you can't get it

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1e1550cb-5e5d-48f5-b02b-20b602228de6

Alternatively have you tried system restore if you are using XP?

Nope, I'm running 2000 :(

It's worth using a scanner like Microsoft Anti-Spyware that can pick up BHO's (browser helper objects) and reset IE settings.

Download it here if you haven't got it: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popup-Ad-Spyware-Blockers/Windows-AntiSpyware.shtml

Tried that, found a few nasty things but didn't cure the problem

Have you tried the CoolWebSeach tool??

It will get rid of any nasties that may have hijacked your browser.

can't remember the exact site but you could Google for it, but be careful because you don't want to pick up a dodgy version of it. Other than that, do a search for CWS on overclockers.co.uk (hope I'm not breaking any forum rules with that).

good luck.

PS I've just switched to Firefox, it's supposed to be much, much more secure than IE. Use FF for your general browsing and IE only when you have to.

Consider upgrading to XP, with the iminent demise of support by microsoft for Windows 2000 now might be a good time, MS are just completing their final rollup update then there will be no more.

Consider upgrading to XP, with the iminent demise of support by microsoft for Windows 2000 now might be a good time, MS are just completing their final rollup update then there will be no more.

Isn't it possible the problem will remain if I do that? :confused:

Have you tried the CoolWebSeach tool??

It will get rid of any nasties that may have hijacked your browser.

can't remember the exact site but you could Google for it' date=' but be careful because you don't want to pick up a dodgy version of it. Other than that, do a search for CWS on overclockers.co.uk (hope I'm not breaking any forum rules with that).

good luck.

PS I've just switched to Firefox, it's supposed to be much, much more secure than IE. Use FF for your general browsing and IE only when you have to.[/quote']

Yes, I generally use Firefox, IMO it is a much better program. However, there are certain backwards dated websites that are not yet compatible and demand that you use IE - and these are what's causing me the problem. If everything worked with Firefox I doubt I'd have noticed that it had stopped working!!!

Have you tried the CoolWebSeach tool??

It will get rid of any nasties that may have hijacked your browser.

can't remember the exact site but you could Google for it' date=' but be careful because you don't want to pick up a dodgy version of it. Other than that, do a search for CWS on overclockers.co.uk (hope I'm not breaking any forum rules with that).

good luck.

PS I've just switched to Firefox, it's supposed to be much, much more secure than IE. Use FF for your general browsing and IE only when you have to.[/quote']

CoolWebSearch is spyware itself, isn't it?

http://www.spywareguide.com/product_show.php?id=599

Merijn Bellekom has abandoned developing software that removes one of the nastiest browser hijackers on the planet: CoolWebSearch, a trojan that converts your PC into a source of revenue for fly-by-night porn sites not capable of generating legitimate Web traffic.

CoolWebSearch is spyware itself' date=' isn't it?

[url']http://www.spywareguide.com/product_show.php?id=599[/url]

Merijn Bellekom has abandoned developing software that removes one of the nastiest browser hijackers on the planet: CoolWebSearch, a trojan that converts your PC into a source of revenue for fly-by-night porn sites not capable of generating legitimate Web traffic.

Yes it is, a particularly nasty browser hijacker and spyware trojan.

Bad enough in fact that there are products just for getting rid of it: http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Tried that, found a few nasty things but didn't cure the problem

Did you just run a scan or did you check the "system explorer" section under "advanced tools" ?

Did you just run a scan or did you check the "system explorer" section under "advanced tools" ?

What am I looking for in there?

What am I looking for in there?

if you could do screenshots of each of the sub-sections under "Applications" and "Internet Explorer", I'll take a look and see whats amiss.

If you can't host the screenshots.. email them to me if you wish:

if you could do screenshots of each of the sub-sections under "Applications" and "Internet Explorer"' date=' I'll take a look and see whats amiss.

If you can't host the screenshots.. email them to me if you wish: [img']http://s1lv3r.com/gfx/gmail.gif[/img]

YGM

Nothing yet, you sure you sent to "fat.jon" AT "gmail.com" ?

Yes, CWS is spyware.

My mistake - the program to try is called CWS Shredder. Sorry if I've sent anyone down the wrong path.

Anyway, good luck with sorting it out, I really hate it when my PC ain't running smooth, makes me nervous!

Nothing yet, you sure you sent to "fat.jon" AT "gmail.com" ?

Nope! I put an "h" in John. He's going to wonder what the hell I'm on about!!!

Yes' date=' CWS is spyware.

My mistake - the program to try is called CWS Shredder. Sorry if I've sent anyone down the wrong path.

Anyway, good luck with sorting it out, I really hate it when my PC ain't running smooth, makes me nervous![/quote']

Hunted around - have that already - updated it, ran it, no joy. Also updated and ran s-t-i-n-g-e-r but again to no avail :(