Internet Explorer - having problems !

When I open IE the top lines are populated and the URL address appears at bottom and I get the green squares indicating progress toward opening the web site but after four squares no action and no web site is opened. Have run Security essentials and spybot. It is an XP system. SE finds nothing but I did clear an Aleurian.f last week. Since that time IE is unresponsive...

 

What version of IE? If IE8, how long have you had this?
What happens if you go to start, all programs, accessories, system tools, internet explorer (no add-ons)? Does that behave the same?

 

Not IE8, Am running that on my VISTA machines.
Had the problem for one week. Ran Security Essentials and found nothing. All this happened after the previous antivirus software (Windows Live One Care) let the Alurean.F virus through. I seem to have cleared the problem with the malware approach suggested in MajorGeeks including :Super AntiSpyware (cleared 53 Adware, Trogans, suspicious items), MB.exe (cleared 3 more threats), RootRepeal followed by MGTool.

A Major thanks to Major Geeks!!!!

 

So you no longer are having a problem connecting? Or is the problem solved referring just to the malware?

 

I'm new to MajorGeeks.com so forgive me if I failed to follow protocol. It looks like the problem was Malware (he says with fingers crossed). I am using a firewall. The hdw is DSL(ATT) and the software as mentioned before was Microsoft's One Care. The IE is the version before IE8. The problem looked initially like adware but One Care didn't seem to phase it. Further, when I uninstalled One Care and ran SE and got no items of concern I was convinced it was some adware I had let in. However, the first two malware cleaners found 56 items to clean. I am now concerned about SE's ability to detect and clean viruses, Trojans, adware etc.

Thanks to all who have added to this discussion with your great questions. I will say, as a P.S., this Alurean.F virus (which also got through One Care) seems to have appeared at the onset of the problem and I am not sure what role, if any it played in the problem.

 

P.S. IE is working now and the system is more responsive than before (or atleast as responsive as an XP system can be)...

Another symptom comes to mind...follow the pathway: Internet Tools/ Internet option: security/ internet security level/ kept getting reset to low from the default level. I would reset it and apply / and the next time I checked it was set to low...go figure...

 

Welcome to Mg Big Red
There could be remnants of malware on your system.
I'd suggest you go through the the Read and Run carefully again.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

And then the XP Cleaning Procedure:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=139313

Post the requested logs in Malware removal:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

Let the Malware fighters give you the all clear. It can take a few days before they respond, so don't bump your post and post all the logs the first time round

Cheers :wave

 

Thanks, will do, my first experience was certainly a good one.