Internet explorer problems

Hi everyone.

I'm trying to fix my friend's old clunker, and I'd really appreciate some help.

They're running windows 98. The problem is that when internet explorer is started it goes ok for a while, then a message comes up saying IE has encountered a problem and needs to close...etc, so it is impossible to use the net. Also when I try to open My Computer I get a message saying Exlporer has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. I thought it may be spyware, malware etc. I've done a scan with AVG 7, Ad Aware and HiJackThis. There were no viruses and I fixed the stuff that needed fixing with HJT and AA. Here's the current HJT Log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 12:08:20 PM, on 7/8/05
Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CARPSERV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGCC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGEMC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\PROFILES\TEAT3\MY DOCUMENTS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

O3 - Toolbar: MSN Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN TOOLBAR\01.01.1601.0\MSGR.EN-US.EN-AU\MSNTB.DLL (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab

Can anyone suggest what I should do next?

Thanks,

Justin

 

No, re-booting straight after the error message doesn't seem to make any difference.

Justin

 

jridgeway3 --The message you report only tells you that IE has a problem and will shut down, but it does not provide any info on the problem. On that message window is there an option for "More Info" or "Details "? If so, click that the next time you get the message and see what info is available as to the cause of the problem.
Also if DrWatson is running, do a Find on *.wlg. Open some of the .wlg log files which are found (with the highest, most recent number) to see what info is available.
Also if you want to follow up on the possibility of spyware follow the suggestions here
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074
I assume the PC has an Antivirus program installed, that the virus definitions are up to date and that the Antivirus is set to start at boot.
I also suggest that the cache be cleared. IE Tools|Internet Options|General tab|Delete Files.
There is also the option to restore corrupt files in Win98. It is called System File Checker. But if you are not familiar with it, perhaps wait to see the results of above.

 

Hi Welshjim,

This is the error signature:

AppName:iexplore.exe
ModVer:6.0.2800.1106
AppVer:6.0.2800.1106
OffSet:00043a00
ModName:mshtmled.dll

I did a search for .wlg files, there are none on the system.

I actually installed AVG the other day, I've done a full check, with the most up to date virus definitions-nothing.

I've installed Spybot S&D and I'm just running it at the moment. I'll let you know if anything appears.

Any ideas? I'm beginning to feel like screaming.

Cheers,

Justin

 

Hi Pete.

I can't remember exactly what I removed, but I posted my log onto another Bulletin Board (PC Answers, I've had a lot of good help from the people there in the past) and someone with experience told me what I should fix.

I ran Spy Bot, and removed everthing that came up. I've run System File Checker, everything seems to be in order.

Still no joy.

Justin

 

jridgeway3--I understand the problem is still occurring?
Just what type of page is being viewed when this happens? mshtmled.dll is very often connected with writing one's own website.
The references I have found so far to mshtmled.dll's errors and fixes are fairly complex.
Here is one simple one, but it seems it did not work for that person.
http://www.winguides.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=brdIE&Number=112517&page=19&view=collapsed&sb=5&part=(SFC /Scannow is the Windows XP equivalent of running System File Checker in Win98. I assume when you ran System File Checker you followed these instructions.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/185836/EN-US/
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/windows98/start-142.html
Note System File Checker can be used in two ways. One to check for corrupt files in general, the other to extract a fresh copy of a file that is causing problems.)
Here are two more ideas
1) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;194177&
2) Start|Run|type regsvr32 mshtmled.dll|OK. Did the message show success? Is the problem fixed?

 

Hi Welsh Jim,

The homepage is set to Google, I've tried others, same result.

I ran system file checker as the article indicated.

I ran regsvr32, with success. Problem still occurs.

You know I started to try and repair IE, there's no icon for ADD/Remove programs on the control panel. Is that right? It seems very weird.

Is there another way to do it?

Edit: Tried to run add/remove programs from the command line: control appwiz.cpl-nothing happened. I tried running the date time app, which worked. Very weird.

Edit2: I figured out I need to extract the appwiz.cpl file from the win 98 CD. I don't have the original cd, will this matter? Can I do it by using a boot disk and using the ext command in DOS? Can someone help me out with the commands, path etc? I feel I'm getting closer..........

Cheers,


Justin.

 

jridgeway3--Did you run a Find to see if you have appwiz.cpl on your hard drive?
If so, perhaps see if TweakUI can help you
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/powertoys/networking/nttweakui.asp
You will have to find the section about Control Panel. I no longer have Win98 so cannot remember just where it was. But TweakUI will show you if appwiz.cpl is unchecked, meaning Add/Remove won't be on the Control Panel. So check it, if it is unchecked.
If you cannot find appwiz.cpl, you may not need your Win98 CD to reinstall a clean copy of appwiz.cpl. It depends whether you have the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs and a lot of rbxxx.cab files in it (where xxx stands for numbers).
Try running System File Checker per this reference and when the time comes to tell SFC where to find the file, enter C:\Windows\Options\Cabs.
http://users.erols.com/dj-paulen/ss/
P.S. The command for running appwiz.cpl is actually Control appwiz.cpl
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192806&sd=RMVP

 

Hi Jim.

Did a search for appwiz.cpl. Nothing on the system. I don't have a folder called C:\Windows\Options\Cabs.

I suspect I need to extract the file from the win 98 cd. Can you guide me?

Edit: Well, I managed to extract appwiz.cpl from the cd, got add/remove programs working. I tried repairing IE, it can't do it, there's files missing. So I reinstall it, it downloads from the net. Everythings looking good. I reboot, open up IE. Bang. Same message.

If you hear someone sobbing from the other side of the world, it's me.

What do you think, clean reinstall?
Cheers,

Justin.

 

jridgeway3--Not sure why you "repaired" IE after you seemed to have had things working. Or maybe I misunderstand.
If your friend does not mind losing personal data, perhaps a clean install is the best idea. And if you can back up the personal data to external media, then even that will not be lost. It will, however, of course be necessary to re-install all non-MS programs. Does your friend have the installation executables on disks or in a Download folder? If the latter, then back those up, too. And if all is successful go to Windows Update to get all the updates.
Good luck.