Ask.com

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please run MGtools as requested in the below link and then attach the C:\MGlogs.zip file. This should give us enough info to help you.

Using MGtools

 

You're welcome.


Uninstall the below software:
Java(TM) 6 Update 21
Viewpoint Media Player <-- This is even more problematic than Ask.com


Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win 7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.ask.com?o=14196&l=dis
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Google Gears Helper - {E0FEFE40-FBF9-42AE-BA58-794CA7E3FB53} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)


After clicking Fix, exit HJT.


Now download The Avenger by Swandog46, and save it to your Desktop.

• Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
• Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
• Do not change any check box options!!
• Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:

• Now click the Execute button.
• Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
• Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
• Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
• A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.

After reboot, now install the current version of Sun Java from: Sun Java Runtime Environment


Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs:

• C:\avenger.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Make sure you tell me how things are working now!

 

You're welcome.

Do you have any remaining issues with Ask.com?

 

Where/what (exactly) are you referring to?

 

Okay that's is what you get when you use junk like Frostwire. I suggest that you uninstall it.

In Firefox and IE you will have to look to see if anything for Frostwire or Ask.com appear in addons and remove them.

Did you select and fix the below line with analyse.exe as requested and where ALL BROWSERS closed as stated when you fix it?

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.ask.com?o=14196&l=dis

 

Okay then delete the below folders from it.

C:\Documents and Settings\Mommy\Application Data\FrostWire
C:\Documents and Settings\Mommy\My Documents\FrostWire
C:\Program Files\FrostWire

I think it is still there. Shut down Avast and Outpost then close all browsers, run analyse.exe again and select the below line then click fix.

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.ask.com?o=14196&l=dis

After fixing, close HijackThis and do the below.

Make sure that you have disabled/delete browser addons for Ask.com and for Frostwire if any remain.


Now we need to Reset Web Settings:

1. If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2. Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3. If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

Note for IE 7/8 users: You need to select Internet Options then the Advanced tab and then Reset Internet Explorer Settings!

Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixme.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.

Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.

Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


Then attach the below logs:

• C:\MGlogs.zip

Now how do things look?

 

You need to complete all of my instructions and attach the new log.

 

Not what I asked for or need. Attach the new MGlogs.zip file.

 

In IE, click Tools, Manage Add-ons

Similarly in Firefox, click Tools Add-ons

 

You have never used notepad?????

Here is one of many ways.

Click Start, Run, and enter notepad into the Run box and click OK

 

Yes the home page setting in IE was removed and also the search scope was removed from IE. Do you still have a problem with Firefox? If so, did you check addons?

 

Okay then let's see if we can fix Firefox.

We are going to be uninstalling your old version of FireFox and installing the new version. So do the below to save bookmarks:

• Run FireFox and click Bookmarks.
• Then select Organize Bootmarks.
• Then on the next window click File and then select Export. Save the bookmarks.html file to your Desktop for later use in importing.

Now download and save the installer for the current version of FireFox but DO NOT install it yet. Get it here: Mozilla FireFox

You will need exit FireFox now and use Internet Explorer to continue with the below until we reinstall FireFox.

Start by uninstalling FireFox and then reboot. Do not skip the reboot.
After reboot, delete the below folders:
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
C:\documents and settings\UserAccount\Application Data\Mozilla

where UserAccount is the actual user account name being used.

Now reinstall FireFox from the file previously downloaded.
Import your bookmarks file. (similar process to exporting).

Is the problem gone now?