Non-Responsive Internet Connection...

Hi,

I need to set this up in two parts. I'm using a Dell 4600 machine with 2.40GCPU, 512Mem, XP w/SP2. I also use Adaware, spybot, MS antispyware, etc.

Part One - On bootup to desktop, all goes normal. I can click on any program icon on desktop and activate it normally...go about my business. I can go and do whatever needs to be done wherever, all programs, windows explorer, etc.

Part Two - On any bootup to desktop, and I decide to go online, whether after using the computer awhile first or go online first, I click on the ISP connect Icon and being on dialup, it connects and I see the little dual icons in systray. It might say that I'm connected at 40.0 kbps. All this is normal.

This is where my problem begins. I click on the IE icon to bring up my homepage for moving about online, the pointer adds the hourglass for a few seconds to show that it is working. Then it returns to just the pointer and NO browser window appears. During this time, the small dual monitors lightup etc., to show that something is taking place...though nothing viewable. I now must sit from 1 minute to as high as 15 minutes, waiting for the browser window to open. Also during this time, after I go online, and nothing appears, and I'm looking at the wallpaper, I can click on any program icon and none of them work. I can't even go to Shutdown and get that to work. So I sit and wait.

Later when the IE browser window decides to open and pops up, all other program icons I might have clicked on during this wait...they all open at once behind the IE window.

This is windy but anyone with a clue why IE won't open after connecting with the ISP. Thanks!

 

Dang - that has to be frustrating. We can fix this but it will take a little digging and a few post to get it done.

I have a pretty good idea of what is happening. If I'm right then we can move on to locating the guilty party and fixing the problem. I think what you are seeing is a system getting so busy that nothing else can run until the system overload clears at which time everything else starts running again.

Click on start, on run, key in taskmgr and click OK. When the task manager window opens, click on the Options tab and check all available options. We especially need the "always on top" but the others are helpful. Then check the block to show processes from all users (see the picture) and click on the heading of the CPU column to sort things by CPU usage. You want the highest numbers at the top so may have to click it twice.

Once you are set up, move the window to one side of your screen then dial in. I'm guessing that some process will show up as using all available CPU cycles or all available memory or both. If CPU, make a note of which program is doing it. Note that System Idle Process isn't really a process but simply a display of how much CPU is available so don't worry when you see it on top.

If nothing dramatic shows up this way, try the same thing with the taskmanager screen but the performance tab and see what is happening to memory use.

 

Newt, I will go offline and begin this process. Try to get back and respond if ole IE will open. Thanks

 

First thing to do is right click on the IE desktop icon and choose properties (This brings you to internet options control panel . You normally go tools/internet options, or control panel / internet options ; these will do if you prefer)

Step one on the general tab, go delete files/ delete all offline content.
Step two , if you do not mind what cookies you have go delete cookies, otherwise, go view files and select the ones you do not want saved and manually delete them.

Step three, clear history.

Step four , change home page to blank using the option "use blank" on the general tab.

Now close this and restart computer . Launch IE , since it is set to blank home page it should launch without the connection.
Connect and type in an address such as http://www.google.com
see if it goes quickly.

It sounds like IE is either bogged down with a bunch of temp internet files which all load when IE is launched, or that it is refusing to open until your home page responds and loads .

 

Newt, here's what came up. With the taskmgr on the side, and watching the CPU usage when dialing up, the only item listing anything was the System Idle Process...@99. Rest were Dbl Oughts. Switching to Performance and viewing this while dialing up to make ISP contact.

CPU Usage hovered between 0% and 4%.
PF Usage 173MB.
Physical Memory - 523248
Available - 286808
System Cache - 260672

Clicking on IE browser icon, then the only noticeable difference in the above, was PF Usage went to 187MBs. (The browser opened right at 2 minutes after clicking on it). The only other item, under Processes, Mem Usage...
IExplorer is at 34,724K; Explorer.exe is at 31,692; SVCHost sys at 25,060Ks, and Spoolsv.exe is at 5,988 though it peaked at 20,160Ks. Everything else is a few at around 10Ks or less, with most in the single digits. Whatcha think?

 

Howdy Oshwin. Thanks for the good advice though I do all that quite frequently. I keep my cookies, temps, IE Temps, plus offline, and history nearly empty. My history only has a few items in it at the moment, 2 dozen at the most, and only for this week. I went through it all and file 13 everything I could find. You are correct, that I could first click on the IE icon and open the blank window, because the computer works just fine before dialing into ISP. I did that and it worked. I then went to the ISP and make contact. I was able to then use the browser just fine. My only problem then, was, when attempting to disconnect from the ISP, it wouldn't work. Everything froze...Ctrl-Alt-Del wouldn't work, going to shutdown and clicking on RESTART wouldn't work. I had to manually punch the button and then reboot. It's only after I make dialup connection with ISP that everything freezes, not just internet stuff, but the whole system.

 

I think ... hmmmmmm ... interesting problem. Reminds me of that old Chinese curse about interesting times though.

Following the advice oshwyn5 posted is a good idea in general. In this case it could possibly be the home page loading that is hosing everything up and the temporary switch to a local, blank home page would certainly sort that out for you pretty quickly.

Otherwise, well done on the checking. It all sounds pretty normal (except possibly for the spike in the spooler activity). Certainly not what I was expecting.

Does everything operate normally once the initial delay is over? Was the change from normal to this behavior sudden or did it slowly get worse?

 

Newt,

Using dialup, I always use the BLANK opening page because of the time element needed to get going. I sometimes think there may be a registry problem; or IE needs repairing; etc. It doesn't do it every single time but lets say, 80% of the time, it does it. Most times I click on My Games icon on desktop, open that up, and minimize Bridge, Spades, or Hearts, etc., down to the taskbar. Then I attempt to do my normal ISP connection, and then the IE blank page. Once the cursor becomes strictly a pointer, I know the browser isn't going to open. Then I click on the game and begin playing it. When IE finally opens, after several games, it overrides the game and then I know I'm all set. It sure is frustrating....somewhere there's a culprit.

The system works normally once IE opens. It wasn't a slow, creeping process...one day it was there. It began at about the time I installed SP2 on here, quite a few months ago, but I won't speculate in that direction. My thanks to you. Regards

 

Are you running any anti virus software and/or firewall(other than WinXp)? If so, try disabling them one at a time and try it. I've experienced similar problems when I had more than one type of each running at the same time. IE: my paid virus program running with AVG freeware. SP2 automatically turns on XP firewall as well.

 

I would say you either have a whopping huge amount of temp internet files (tools/ internet options/ general/ temp internet files/ settings) I set mine to 32MB and would not recommend over 96MB.

Or you have some spyware/ trojans which are loading .
I would like to see a hijackthis log to see if there are any nasties showing .
Hijackthis download from majorgeeks

 

Hello Chuck,

A way to empty the internet temp file automatically - have the system do it.

If you haven't done so, IE tools > advanced tab > scroll down to Security > and check "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when Browser is closed ".

That will leave the cookie files alone (the cookie "shortcuts ") - that's a seperate issue. They'll be cleaned out when you delete cookies.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Beanman. I run AVG from Grisoft and the only firewall is XP. I turn PC off unless I sitting down to use and use only limited/minimum watchdogs. Yep I know SP2 turns on the firewall, so I will do a check via turnoff and repost later. Thanks!

Charles, I do have temp int files set to automatically be booted on shutdown. I looked in the Temp Int folder in Win EXplor and it only had a few KBs in there. On this last bootup, connecting with ISP and then clicking IE, took 9-1/2 minutes to open. Thanks!

Oshwyn, I just don't know what to tell you on that temp internet files. If they are there, they are disguised and hiding somewhere under another name. I have HiJack and will get a copy and repost. Thanks!

 

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 6:28:24 PM, on 9/8/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Qurb\QSP-2.1.213.4\QOELoader.exe
C:\Program Files\Browser MOUSE\mouse32a.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\GEARSEC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\vssvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Desktop\MyDownloads\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Easy-WebPrint - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Search Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QOELOADER] "C:\Program Files\Qurb\QSP-2.1.213.4\QOELoader.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FLMOFFICE4DMOUSE] C:\Program Files\Browser MOUSE\mouse32a.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Add To Print List - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_AddToList.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint High Speed Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_HSPrint.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Preview - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Preview.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Print.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open in new background tab - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TAB\02.05.0000.1110\en-us\msntabres.dll/229?6d24fea947f049ab9e7cb3177bd69e
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open in new foreground tab - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TAB\02.05.0000.1110\en-us\msntabres.dll/230?6d24fea947f049ab9e7cb3177bd69e
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {01FE8D0A-51AD-459B-B62B-85E135128B32} (DD_v4.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/DD_v4.CAB
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {19E28AFC-EAE3-4CE5-AC83-2407B42F57C9} (MSSecurityAdvisor Class) - http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-a3de-373c3e5552fc/msSecAdv.cab?1071852441265
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/axscanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {49C4ECB2-9676-4253-8E76-F333EE7E5513} (QDiagDAUUpdateObj Class) - http://autoupdate.dellfix.com/html/qdiagdau.cab
O16 - DPF: {638AF6A2-81A1-4655-9FFA-9FC09CDE22CF} (CScanner Object) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/ppctlcab.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1118794851350
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1118794062222
O16 - DPF: {99B6E512-3893-4155-9964-8EB8E06099CB} (WebSpyWareKiller Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/promotions/spywaredetector/WebSWK.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {ED6D016A-12F8-4871-BEDC-CE13AAAB4F0B} (DD_v4_Member.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/members/DD_v4_Member.CAB


As to checking out the firewall and AVG, here are the results.

FW OFF and AVG ON.... 4.5 minutes.
AVG OFF and FW ON.... just moments ago, 8 minutes.
With both AVG and FW OFF... 5 minutes.

Somehow this is tied in with IE. Once I am connected and browser working, everything is fine. I can minimize browser down to task bar and do anything I desire within the computer etc. Most times though, when I close browser, and then attempt to close ISP connections, it refuses. I then try to gain access to Task Mgr and it refuses. Then, I go to Start, shutdown, and click on RESTART... it refuses. So I sit for quite awhile waiting...and finally push the button on PC to turn it off. It looks like I need the Lone Ranger to ride in with his XP Reinstallation CD to handle this problem. Thanks guys and maybe you might spot something in the HiJackers column.

 

Download the latest version of HJT and try that again.

Also, if you have a normal XP install CD, then click on start, on run, key in

Code:

sfc /scannow

and OK. If you don't have a normal XP install CD (lots of OEMs don't furnish one), look on the hard drive and on the CDs you do have for a folder named I386 and when you find one, copy it directly to C:\ and we'll tell you how to make SFC use that folder rather than asking for a CD you don't have.

 

Hey Newt. I have a Dell Reinstallation CD including SP1a. I will do the search for I386 stuff...and repost though it will probably be tomorrow. I recall that at one time I tried the SFC- Scannow but it kept telling me that I had the wrong system CD. I tried the SP2 CD too.

 

A new run with latest HJT.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:15:32 PM, on 9/8/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Qurb\QSP-2.1.213.4\QOELoader.exe
C:\Program Files\Browser MOUSE\mouse32a.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\GEARSEC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\vssvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\cidaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\JR\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: MSN Search Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Easy-WebPrint - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Toolband.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN Search Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QOELOADER] "C:\Program Files\Qurb\QSP-2.1.213.4\QOELoader.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FLMOFFICE4DMOUSE] C:\Program Files\Browser MOUSE\mouse32a.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.05.0000.1082\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Add To Print List - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_AddToList.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint High Speed Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_HSPrint.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Preview - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Preview.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Easy-WebPrint Print - res://C:\Program Files\Canon\Easy-WebPrint\Resource.dll/RC_Print.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open in new background tab - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TAB\02.05.0000.1110\en-us\msntabres.dll/229?6d24fea947f049ab9e7cb3177bd69e
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open in new foreground tab - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TAB\02.05.0000.1110\en-us\msntabres.dll/230?6d24fea947f049ab9e7cb3177bd69e
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {01FE8D0A-51AD-459B-B62B-85E135128B32} (DD_v4.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/DD_v4.CAB
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/axscanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {49C4ECB2-9676-4253-8E76-F333EE7E5513} (QDiagDAUUpdateObj Class) - http://autoupdate.dellfix.com/html/qdiagdau.cab
O16 - DPF: {638AF6A2-81A1-4655-9FFA-9FC09CDE22CF} (CScanner Object) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/ppctlcab.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1118794851350
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1118794062222
O16 - DPF: {99B6E512-3893-4155-9964-8EB8E06099CB} (WebSpyWareKiller Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/promotions/spywaredetector/WebSWK.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {ED6D016A-12F8-4871-BEDC-CE13AAAB4F0B} (DD_v4_Member.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/members/DD_v4_Member.CAB
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{D3D7EB56-0E0B-43FA-B64E-626AAAA81A86}: NameServer = 209.145.84.131 216.12.0.20
O19 - User stylesheet: (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: GEARSecurity - GEAR Software - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\GEARSEC.EXE
O23 - Service: Iomega Activity Disk2 - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\
O23 - Service: Iomega App Services - Iomega Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe

 

I didn't see anything exciting in the HJT log but I'm far from expert on those so hopefully someone else will also look. A suggestion though. The location is OK for just running a scan but if you use HJT to fix problems, it needs to be in a normal folder of it's own. Not on the desktop, not in any sort of temp folder.

When you locate the I386 folder and put a copy on C:\ it is a simple matter of making one registry change to force the system to look at the new folder. Note that it must be directly under C:\ though so C:\I386 is good but C:\somefolder\I386 will not work.

 

Newt, I checked out the C:\ drive and the I386 folder is listed under the C: drive.

 

Excellent. Follow the direction Here for setting your system to find it.

After that, sfc /scannow may well put you back in business and at worst, will either fix a few problems or do nothing. No harm.

 

One more thing you can try. Right click on the IE icon on the desktop and choose properties>programs and click on the manage add-ons button. Try disabling all of them and then try using IE. If it works as it should, then go back and re-enable some of them and continue this (process of elimination) until you find the one that's causing the problem. It's kind of a long shot but worth a try.