Ie and FF opening multiple windows

flutterbyuk25

I have a new laptop (2months old) and for the last week or so whenever I have opened IE or FF it opens multiple windows - about 40+ of them! The screen then flickers as so many screens are trying to open at once. any idea why this is happening? It won't let me close or use any of the screens unless I wait ages and then maybe I can use a screen and close the others.

I've uninstalled FF but can't work out how to uninstall IE?

I've installed google crome instead and so far this seems to be ok but I prefer FF.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

RussJK

Do the windows go to webpages, or are they just blank pages?

Does it do it for FF portable?
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable

or Palemoon (faster version of Firefox):
http://www.palemoon.org/

Or Opera portable?
http://www.opera-usb.com/operausben.htm

What other software do you have running, e.g. what antivirus/firewall?

Also do you have Roboform, as some have reported a problem with that.

Post a HijackThis log in case anything jumps out, but I can't see what:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/hijackthis/beta/HijackThis.exe (save to desktop, run as administrator)

flutterbyuk25

RussJK wrote: »

Do the windows go to webpages, or are they just blank pages?

Does it do it for FF portable?
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable

or Palemoon (faster version of Firefox):
http://www.palemoon.org/

Or Opera portable?
http://www.opera-usb.com/operausben.htm

What other software do you have running, e.g. what antivirus/firewall?

Also do you have Roboform, as some have reported a problem with that.

Post a HijackThis log in case anything jumps out, but I can't see what:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/hijackthis/beta/HijackThis.exe (save to desktop, run as administrator)

They do eventually produce webpages not blank pages, but takes awhile cos so many are trying to load.

I'll try those others now and report back.

using Avast as antivirus

RussJK

Are they webpages previously opened? Or are they sites you've never visited? or popups?

are they new tabs within the same window, or literally new windows?

Because it's both IE and FF, you might review similarities between the two, i.e. what addons or programs you have that work on both.

If you focus just on FF, there may be an issue with the sessionstore file (which loads pages when you start Firefox). See if deleting the sessionsstore file is relevant for you:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20hangs#w_duplicate-session-restore-files

flutterbyuk25

FF portable and Palemoon both work normally (as does google crome), couldn't fathom how to download opera properly sorry!

flutterbyuk25

RussJK wrote: »

Are they webpages previously opened? Or are they sites you've never visited? or popups?

are they new tabs within the same window, or literally new windows?

Because it's both IE and FF, you might review similarities between the two, i.e. what addons or programs you have that work on both.

If you focus just on FF, there may be an issue with the sessionstore file (which loads pages when you start Firefox). See if deleting the sessionsstore file is relevant for you:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox%20hangs#w_duplicate-session-restore-files

They are all my home page (yahoo mail) and are all new windows not tabs

I'll try that now.

Thanks for all your help

RussJK

Easiest way to fix it might just be a new profile, then grab your bookmarks:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Backing%20up%20and%20restoring%20bookmarks
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles

If you need to back anything else up (e.g. passwords), then Mozbackup is the easiest tool.
http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

I can't explain why IE is doing the same, but maybe the Hijackthis log will show something.

flutterbyuk25

RussJK wrote: »

Easiest way to fix it might just be a new profile, then grab your bookmarks:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Backing%20up%20and%20restoring%20bookmarks
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles

If you need to back anything else up (e.g. passwords), then Mozbackup is the easiest tool.
http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

I can't explain why IE is doing the same, but maybe the Hijackthis log will show something.

I was thinking a new profile may be the way to go.

This is the hijackThis log (hope I've done it right!)

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 19:59:28, on 18/09/2011
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7601.17514)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec MyWinLocker\x86\mwlDaemon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec IPS\PmmUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Acer Backup Manager\BackupManagerTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\USB Drivers\RIMBBLaunchAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec IPS\EgisUpdate.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Update\1.3.21.65\GoogleCrashHandler.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Ls\Downloads\HijackThis.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe
C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://acer.msn.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = https://login.yahoo.com/config/login_verify2?&.src=ym
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://acer.msn.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://acer.msn.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Messenger Companion Helper - {9FDDE16B-836F-4806-AB1F-1455CBEFF289} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companioncore.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\swg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SuiteTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec MyWinLockerSuite\x86\SuiteTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EgisUpdate] "C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec IPS\EgisUpdate.exe" -d
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EgisTecPMMUpdate] "C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec IPS\PmmUpdate.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Norton Online Backup] C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\NOBuClient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BackupManagerTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Acer Backup Manager\BackupManagerTray.exe" -h -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LManager] C:\Program Files (x86)\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RIMBBLaunchAgent.exe] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Research In Motion\USB Drivers\RIMBBLaunchAgent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [EPSON SX100 Series] C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\E_IATIEDE.EXE /FU "C:\Windows\TEMP\E_SC7BB.tmp" /EF "HKCU"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BrowserChoice] "C:\Windows\System32\browserchoice.exe" /run
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Ls\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_6CE5017F567343CA.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companionlang.dll,-600 - {0000036B-C524-4050-81A0-243669A86B9F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Companion\companioncore.dll
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1004 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1003 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O18 - Protocol: wlpg - {E43EF6CD-A37A-4A9B-9E6F-83F89B8E6324} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\AlbumDownloadProtocolHandler.dll
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Dritek WMI Service (DsiWMIService) - Dritek System Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Launch Manager\dsiwmis.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Acer ePower Service (ePowerSvc) - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer ePower Management\ePowerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON V5 Service4(01) (EPSON_EB_RPCV4_01) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\ProgramData\EPSON\EPW!3 SSRP\E_S40STB.EXE
O23 - Service: EPSON V3 Service4(01) (EPSON_PM_RPCV4_01) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\ProgramData\EPSON\EPW!3 SSRP\E_S40RPB.EXE
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: GREGService - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer\Registration\GREGsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MyWinLocker Service (MWLService) - Egis Technology Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\EgisTec MyWinLocker\x86\MWLService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Norton Online Backup (NOBU) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\NOBuAgent.exe
O23 - Service: NTI IScheduleSvc - NewTech Infosystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\Acer Backup Manager\IScheduleSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Updater Service - Acer Group - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\UpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 11559 bytes

TheSaint_2

Press Alt, go to Tools -> Internet Options and check that there is only one entry in the top box on the general page. If you see site;site;site;site that means it will open each site in a new tab. You just want one. (IE).

flutterbyuk25

TheSaint wrote: »

Press Alt, go to Tools -> Internet Options and check that there is only one entry in the top box on the general page. If you see site;site;site;site that means it will open each site in a new tab. You just want one. (IE).

Thanks, have done this and there is only one entry.

oddly, when I went to check this only one webpage opened up on IE

jackieblack

My old computer started doing this too and a few weeks later (before I'd pinned down the cause) it died completely (corrupted HDD)
Probably worth making sure you've got anything important backed up.... just in case.