IE closes unless it is opened via Windows Update

[phillydog]

I ran Microsoft Antispyware (beta) and it found an issue. I cleaned it... no problem.

Came home and tried to open IE, and it opens briefly (homepage set to www.yahoo.com) and then it immediately closes.

However, if I run windows update, IE stays open, and I am able to navigate to other pages.

I have scanned for viruses... none
I have scanned for spyware using:
-Spybot 1.3
-Adaware SE 1.06
-Microsoft AntiSpyware
-eWido security suite

Any ideas?

 

[Zugzwang152]

unplug network cable, see if problem still exists. boot into safe mode with networking, see if problem still exists. boot into safe mode see if problem still exists. report back.

 

[kamper]

Hmm, that kinda sounds like a good thing to me 😛

What if you change your homepage, though?

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: kamper
Hmm, that kinda sounds like a good thing to me 😛

Heh, my thoughts exactly. THe only thing I use IE for is Autoupdate anyway, so this might be a blessing in disguise!!

 

[Mutilator]

Boot to safe mode w/networking - see if you can open IE there - if so then run a Housecall scan.
You might want to give Hijack this a try too.

 

[Thyme]

Do other links work, too, or just Windows Update? You probably have spyware that adjusted your home page while looking like it didn't.

 

[phillydog]

Windows update wasn't my homepage, but if I didn't open IE that way and just opened it via URL in Start --> Run or via IE icon, it would open, then immediately shut down.

I did scan for spyware, and it didn't find anything.

I also found out that there was another issue in which when I rebooted, I got these IE errors, despite IE was not open.

I logged into the box with another account, got the same IE errors, then logged out of that account and into my regular one.

Issue appears to be resolved for both the IE shutting down and the IE errors, although, no rhyme or reason can be given.

 

[Nocturnal]

What about in safe mode?

 

[phillydog]

Hitting F8 did not give me any options. I am running WIN/2003 SP1 if it matters.

 

[xtknight]

Your homepage may be set to about:window.close(). Start Windows Update IE then go tools->options and check your homepage.