Browser problem, please help

pendragon_arther

A couple of further ideas:

If you have xp cd, type into RUN 'cmd' then type sfc /scannow (note space) and it'll replace any corrupt system files

On bootup tap (not press) F8 and select 'last known good configuration'.

Look in device manager for any yellows and update any that have with driver/s.

Or you may have a browser hijacker in which case ADW Cleaner will sort them out.

Have you run Malwarebytes?

AndyPix

First thing I would do here is download malwarebytes (free) from here : https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/

Do it on your laptop and copy the file to your pc using a usb stick or whatever.

It sounds like malware might be changing your proxy settings etc .. And although I could talk you through checking that, a malware scan would rule out malware and we can focus on your problem and get you fixed ..

Andy

By the way, regarding XP , the problem is that as it is no longer supported by M$, vulnerabilities that people find and no longer being fixed .. So that if SOMEONE WANTED TO HACK YOU, they would find it quite easy ..
You have to ask yourself though - would someone want to hack me ? and Do I have much to lose if I were hacked ?

If you feel the answer is yes, then you need a new operating system. Because as time goes on, and more and more vulnerabilities are found in XP, you are easier and easier to hack.

Andy

System

Hi

Sorry.

Yes, a spare or temporary one.

I still have "Bridge over Troubled Water" running through my head, so probably should have flushed it out before typing.

When darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water...

bsod

before wandering into randomness, check the basics

cmd

ipconfig

if that produces a 192.168 address log into the router admin page to check the internet is up

reset internet explorer to defaults under the advanced tab

AndyPix

Or even simpler

CMD

PING GOOGLE.CO.UK

See if you get a reply

slopemaster

Hello, thanks again to all who are contributing ideas.
sorry, been busy today.

I have lugged the machine downstairs and tried connecting it with a cable. Again, it initially went to a couple of sites but before I could get Malwarebytes downloaded, it decided it didn't want to work any more.

I will try some of the things suggested, thanks.
But I'm feeling tempted to uninstall and reinstall Windows.
Should be fairly easy to find instructions for that, and may actually be easier than trying to find the problem.
I'm just waiting for an external hard drive to arrive so I can put all my files on there.

bsod

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/923737

slopemaster

AndyPix wrote: »

PING GOOGLE.CO.UK
See if you get a reply

Yes I got a reply

slopemaster

bsod wrote: »

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/923737

Did that, thanks. Then I managed to get to the Malwarebytes site.
Then it froze up again, and something was trying to hijack the browser. I'll do it via a memory stick.

esuhl

Before you reinstall Windows, one thing I'd try is to create a Rescue Disc in Avast and boot from that. On a few PCs I've seen, booting from a Rescue CD cleared up issues that the installed version of Avast couldn't fix.

https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB114

You could try booting the PC into "Safe Mode with Networking" (by holding down F8 whilst booting) to see if you can download Malwarebytes. Try running a scan whilst still in Safe Mode too.

Oh, and adwCleaner is pretty good at clearing up browser-related infections:
https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/