IE6 shortcut and .exe don't open IE6

Hi everyone

I have XP Pro SP2 and my IE6 has developed odd behaviour. It started a
couple of weeks ago without any installations, registry tweaks etc. My AV
scan shows nothing.

I can't open IE6 by clicking the shortcut, nor will it open if I go directly
to iexplore.exe in C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer. I can open it
however, if I type www.google.co.uk at Start>Run. A further oddity is that I
can't change the home page once it has opened. I go to Tools>Internet
Options and try to apply the current page but I can't.

I'm not sure if IE6 is corrupted in some way or if the problem may be within
the registry.

Does anyone have any idea about what's happening and how I can get IE6 to
open as it should from a shortcut or by clicking directly on the .exe file?

Thanks for your time and patience.

 

Hi,
Both of these problems point to third-party software, toolbars, BHOs, etc.-
probably malware.

From IE> Tools> Manage add-ons. Disable add-ons to see if one of them is the
culprit.

But the problem is probably an adware, spyware, hijackware, trojan
infection.
See these sites for help:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Malware Removal and Prevention Overview - CastleCopsWiki:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.html
Removing Malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

It's a bandaid- it won't remove malware, but you may be able to change your
Homepage by running the REG file UnlockHomePage.reg in the Various Registry
Fixes section at http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm Also, some
legitimate programs such as Spybot can lock the Homepage. Did you set this
restriction inadvertently?

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

 

Many thanks Don. I have been doing a bit of investigating and came round to
the idea that it might relate to malware. I'll follow the guidance that you
have posted.