Weird problems

I just got this pc in the shop for a cleanup. I've run Adaware pro, spybot, and trojan hunter, all scan clean as does norton. I've also run panda softs online scan and trendmicros as well, all scan clean but I think there's still something on there...

basically what happens, is when your typing in a text box or trying to search for something, be it in IE or firefox it will automatically redirect you to the address bar...this ONLY happens with IE or firefox, you can type into AIM/MSN/microsoft word with no problems...has me stumped. anyone got any thoughts or experienced this before?

thanks in advance!

 

Does it make any difference if you set the address bar not to operate as a search bar?

In IE you go to Tools/Internet Options/Advanced scroll down to 'Search from the address bar' and select 'Do not search from address bar' (normally you'd use 'just go to the most likely site').

 

Thanks for the input, but that did not make a difference

 

I don't understand.

Maybe because I use Opera 99.9%.

 

The only other thing I can think of is go to IE/Tools/Internet Options/Programs and choose "Reset web settings" .

The trouble is the problem is not browser specific, thus tinkering with settings may not be enough. So perhaps it would be best to run a check on windows files using System File Checker (sfc.exe). Just click Start/run and enter:-

SFC /scannow

That will look for damaged and corrupted system files.

 

Rootkit I'm afraid. Quicker to dump an image on it and restore the backed up files. Learn how to use Systernals process explorer - good bit of kit.

 

Process Explorer is a good bit of kit, but not for hunting rootkits! For that one of these would be better:-

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sophos_Anti-Rootkit_d5238.html

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-rootkit/us/crp/0

http://www.antirootkit.com/software/F-Secure-BlackLight-Beta.htm

(Probably better are Gmer and RKU, but since they are more complicated and a rootkit may not be the problem I refrain from giving a link).

 

what exactly do you mean by this? a image of/from what? so far none of the programs listed have found anything....

 

Please clarify this. What do you mean by "automatically redirect you to the address bar"?

 

what i mean is, for example, as i reply in this text box, while i am typing it will automatically stop typing in the text box and my typing will begin in the address bar for several key strokes and then i cannot type at all until i click back into the text box and the process repeats itself. again, this only happens in browsers, microsoft word and IM programs are not affected at all....

i did scans with the rootkit things but they came up empty, as well as the resetting all settings in IE. now it hasnt shot up there yet after doing that, so we'll see if that did the trick or not....

thanks for all the replies, i really appreciate it.

 

IE's integrated into Windows, but you can deal with it via 'Add/Remove Windows Components' in the Add/Remove programs section.

Also, you can roll back to IE6 and then upgrade to IE7 again. I'd only do that as a last resort though, if resetting to default does not work.

 

Thanks for the link, I'll give that a try when I get home...hope it works!

 

I have tried removing IE and reinstalling but to no avail. same stupid problem. however i did install opera and have 0 problems with it. if i open IE/firefox, typing is a chore to say the least, but if i alt/tab to opera, nothin. while it is a temporary fix, i still would like to get to the bottom of this....

 

Hope you get it sorted.

At least you're using Opera now.