My problem is similar to this one :https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/archive/t-1281.html

Internet Explorer when launched opens its window then promptly shuts down. Also, then Explorer is opened to view any drive, control panel, etc. it too opens then explorer promptly crashes and then restarts. The computer is also not visible in the network workgroup, but does have network access. Netscape works fine and it can be pinged.

Here is the Hijackthis log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:48:13 PM, on 4/7/2005
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\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\gearsec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPConfig.exe
C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\HPWirelessMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\carpserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\HPQ\ONE-TO~1\OneTouch.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
D:\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://pop.popuptoast.com/9894/search/search.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://search.2020search.com/9894/search/redir.php?cid=shnv9894PCID=00000000000007186241&s=
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://twcny.rr.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/stp/ymsgr*http://my.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/ymsgr/*http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ms101.mysearch.com/sa/srchlft.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://search.2020search.com/9894/search/redir.php?cid=shnv9894PCID=00000000000007186241&s=
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/stp/ymsgr*http://my.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://pop.popuptoast.com/9894/search/search.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Compaq

Continued in next post

N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/bookmark/7_1/home.html"); (C:\Documents and Settings\bill fraser\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\fxzuezsa.slt\prefs.j s)
N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine", "engine://C%3A%5CPROGRA%7E1%5CNetscape%5CNETSCA%7E1%5Csearch plugins%5CSBWeb_01.src"); (C:\Documents and Settings\bill fraser\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\fxzuezsa.slt\prefs.j s)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {014DA6C1-189F-421a-88CD-07CFE51CFF10} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {243B17DE-77C7-46BF-B94B-0B5F309A0E64} - c:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyside.dll
O2 - BHO: POWWABAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD6DA382B52D} - C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\powwabar.dll
O2 - BHO: Tubby - {9EAC0102-5E61-2312-BC2D-4D54434D5443} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\MTC.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-A08E-8E1CA787AD2D} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: My &Search Bar - {014DA6C9-189F-421a-88CD-07CFE51CFF10} - C:\Program Files\MySearch\bar\4.bin\S4BAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: POWWABAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD6DA382B52D} - C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1\powwabar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Search Toolbar - {9EAC0102-5E61-2312-BC2D-4D54434D5443} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\MTC.dll
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [TkBellExe] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe -osboot
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [PreloadApp] c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\hphprld.exe c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\setup.exe -d
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [srmclean] C:\Cpqs\Scom\srmclean.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Display Settings] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\hptasks.exe /s
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [QT4HPOT] C:\PROGRA~1\HPQ\ONE-TO~1\OneTouch.EXE
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Cpqset] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Default Settings\cpqset.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [PrinTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\printra y.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Srng] \Program Files\Srng\Srng.exe
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [Weather] C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.exe 1
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide - {E023F504-0C5A-4750-A1E7-A9046DEA8A21} - c:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyside.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
O9 - Extra button: Advisor - {0A717AFF-8446-4D79-A93D-C959A809A168} - C:\Program Files\COMPAQ\Compaq Advisor\bin\rbaLauncher.exe (file missing) (HKCU)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://store.presario.net/scripts/redirectors/presario/storeredir2.dll?s=consumerfav&c=1c02&lc=0409
O16 - DPF: JT's Blocks - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/blt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Bingo - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/xt0_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Canasta - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/yt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Checkers - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/kt4_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Dominoes - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/dot4_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Dots - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/dtt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Euchre - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/et1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Freecell Solitaire - http://yog55.games.scd.yahoo.com/yog/y/fs10_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Klondike Solitaire - http://yog55.games.scd.yahoo.com/yog/y/ks12_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Literati - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/tt3_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! MahJong - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/ot0_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Pinochle - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/ut2_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Pyramids - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/pyt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Spades - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/st2_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Word Racer - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/wt1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {09C6CAC0-936E-40A0-BC26-707480103DC3} - http://www.uproar.com/applets/activex/shizmoo/flipside_web18.cab
O16 - DPF: {2B96D5CC-C5B5-49A5-A69D-CC0A30F9028C} (MiniBugTransporterX Class) - http://download.weatherbug.com/minibug/tricklers/AWS/MiniBugTransporter.cab?
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst20040510.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1408.g.akamai.net/7/1408/9955/20031218/akamai.info.apple.com/iTunes4/WW/win/019-0123.20031218.zes4d/iTunesSetup.exe
O16 - DPF: {4C226336-4032-489F-9674-67E74225979B} (OTXMovie Class) - http://www.otxresearch.com/OTXMedia/OTXMedia.dll
O16 - DPF: {5D9E4B6D-CD17-4D85-99D4-6A52B394EC3B} (WSDownloader Control) - http://www.webshots.com/samplers/WSDownloader.ocx
O16 - DPF: {79B96C72-C0D0-4DC8-BC7E-9F314A918228} - http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/nocache/myspeedbar/myinitialsetup1.0.0.7.cab
O16 - DPF: {94299420-321F-4FF9-A247-62A23EBB640B} (WordMojo Control) - http://mirror.worldwinner.com/games/v45/wordmojo/wordmojo.cab
O16 - DPF: {9522B3FB-7A2B-4646-8AF6-36E7F593073C} (cpbrkpie Control) - http://a19.g.akamai.net/7/19/7125/4021/ftp.coupons.com/v3123/cpbrkpie.cab
O16 - DPF: {A17E30C4-A9BA-11D4-8673-60DB54C10000} (YahooYMailTo Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yse/ymmapi_416.dll
O16 - DPF: {AC2881FD-5760-46DB-83AE-20A5C6432A7E} (SwapIt Control) - http://mirror.worldwinner.com/games/v61/swapit/swapit.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (ZoneIntro Class) - http://zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab32846.cab
O16 - DPF: {B942A249-D1E7-4C11-98AE-FCB76B08747F} (RealArcadeRdxIE Class) - http://games-dl.real.com/gameconsole/Bundler/CAB/RealArcadeRdxIE.cab
O16 - DPF: {E5D419D6-A846-4514-9FAD-97E826C84822} (HeartbeatCtl Class) - http://fdl.msn.com/zone/datafiles/heartbeat.cab
O16 - DPF: {FC3A74E5-F281-4F10-AE1E-733078684F3C} (Downloader Class) - http://www.2020search.com/toolbar/2020Search.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\.. \{A0407B5D-9424-4DAD-9BEB-D64C7B7E56C4}: NameServer = 24.92.226.176,24.92.226.48
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\.. \{E253CA40-3E4E-4162-9AF5-37F2FC37D4ED}: NameServer = 24.92.226.176,24.92.226.48
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\.. \{EF020053-7B3E-4B43-8964-5BFD4AA3063A}: NameServer = 24.92.226.52,24.92.226.48
O23 - Service: .NET Framework Service (.NET Connection Service) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\svchost.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Gear Security Service (GEARSecurity) - GEAR Software - C:\WINDOWS\System32\gearsec.exe
O23 - Service: HP Configuration Interface Service (HPConfig) - Hewlett-Packard - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPConfig.exe
O23 - Service: HPWirelessMgr - Hewlett-Packard Co. - C:\Program Files\HPQ\Notebook Utilities\HPWirelessMgr.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe

Your log indicates quite a bit of spyware. I would go to another PC and download Spysweeper at spysweeper.com and burn it to a CD and then run it on your problem PC to get your system to the point where you can browse the internet and make further repairs. Also, you need to clear out your temporary internet files and history.

Thanks for the advice. But I fixed it yesterday using Adaware.

I'm glad you fixed your problem, but try this out: Download and install the free 30 day trial of Spysweeper and run it. Let me know how it turned out. I think you will be surprised at its effectiveness even after running adaware.

Hi,
I am glad you got it fixed using AdAware.
If you wish to try these programs and suggestions, they will greatly help with Spyware stuff:

If you think you already have Spyware/Advertising Ware in your computer, run these as follows:

http://www.security-related.com/download2.htm
Download: SpyBot Search & Destroy; 1.3
(If you use the Spyware Blaster free program, then don't set SpyBot to the Immunization feature)

AdAware at:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Download: AdAware_SE

CWShredder at:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
(CWShredder is intended only for removal of CoolWebSearch files; placed as spyware on the harddrive). It is not a "stand alone" scan, but needs to be run. Download the free version by clicking on "Download stand alone version of CW Shredder".

All 3 of the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.

To get into SafeMode:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter

It's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.
Then, run the AdAware scan again 3 times; then run the SpyBot. Then, run CWShredder.
Re- Boot.
Reason for running so many times:
Some of these trojans' files can be deleted the first time; leaving some others; but on re-boot, they re-write the files that were deleted.
Running multiple times deletes most of it the first
Time.

If you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware:
SpyWare Blaster 3.3

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

The Spyware Blaster is exceptional. It stops stuff from getting into the computer in the first place. I have had NO spyware since using this great program.
Best of luck,
fredg