shultis
asked on
This internet shortcut cannot be opened because failed to run
This is a follow-up to a recent question that I thought had been solved, but had not.
Background:
Some time ago IE6 (latest updates) stopped defaulting to http:// for URL's. I installed, updated and ran Spybot, Hijack This, Ad-Aware 6, and Boozka, and repaired everything that they found. I went thru the registry and removed anything from HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Wi
The box is a PIII 450 with 512MB running 2K Advanced Server that I use for a desktop (it's another story). It has the latest Windows Updates and patches.
I have:
** uninstalled IE6 (reverted back to 4.x) and then reinstalled.
** Checked the registry key for HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi
** Set IE6 to default
** Searched both Google and this site for an answer
** Pulled out some hair & basically been frustrated
I would like to avoid formatting and reinstalling windows, although I know that that's the best answer at this point. And, I would love to know what the problem is, so when I come across it in the future...
Here's the Reg Key:
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 1/9/2002 - 4:21 PM
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 2/16/2004 - 11:49 AM
Value 0
Name: <NO NAME>
Type: REG_SZ
Data:
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 2/13/2004 - 5:08 PM
Value 0
Name: <NO NAME>
Type: REG_SZ
Data:
Value 1
Name: ftp
Type: REG_SZ
Data: ftp://
Value 2
Name: gopher
Type: REG_SZ
Data: gopher://
Value 3
Name: home
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Value 4
Name: mosaic
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Value 5
Name: www
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Background:
Some time ago IE6 (latest updates) stopped defaulting to http:// for URL's. I installed, updated and ran Spybot, Hijack This, Ad-Aware 6, and Boozka, and repaired everything that they found. I went thru the registry and removed anything from HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Wi
The box is a PIII 450 with 512MB running 2K Advanced Server that I use for a desktop (it's another story). It has the latest Windows Updates and patches.
I have:
** uninstalled IE6 (reverted back to 4.x) and then reinstalled.
** Checked the registry key for HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi
** Set IE6 to default
** Searched both Google and this site for an answer
** Pulled out some hair & basically been frustrated
I would like to avoid formatting and reinstalling windows, although I know that that's the best answer at this point. And, I would love to know what the problem is, so when I come across it in the future...
Here's the Reg Key:
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 1/9/2002 - 4:21 PM
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 2/16/2004 - 11:49 AM
Value 0
Name: <NO NAME>
Type: REG_SZ
Data:
Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
Class Name: <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time: 2/13/2004 - 5:08 PM
Value 0
Name: <NO NAME>
Type: REG_SZ
Data:
Value 1
Name: ftp
Type: REG_SZ
Data: ftp://
Value 2
Name: gopher
Type: REG_SZ
Data: gopher://
Value 3
Name: home
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Value 4
Name: mosaic
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Value 5
Name: www
Type: REG_SZ
Data: http://
Check the below Registry entries vs. yours:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
Default="http://"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"
Zee
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
Default="http://"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"
Zee
As above (Registry fix) but in a simple REG file...
See section: Various Registry Fixes = "RepairDefaultPrefix.reg"
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Use the above reg file, then reboot.
Zee
ASKER
Zee,
Thanks for the quick reply. I work as a server manager for an ISP, so I edit my hosts file regularly. Currently it has the following, (other than the commented lines):
127.0.0.1 localhost
66.84.64.165 www.uncomplicated.net
I checked the registry entry vs. the one your suggested, and I am still getting the "The Internet Shortcut... " error. I have tried every combination of http:// I can think of in the URL section of the registry. I even found a reg key online that repaired that part of the registry, (which is how it was when I listed above).
More ideas are welcome!
Scott
Thanks for the quick reply. I work as a server manager for an ISP, so I edit my hosts file regularly. Currently it has the following, (other than the commented lines):
127.0.0.1 localhost
66.84.64.165 www.uncomplicated.net
I checked the registry entry vs. the one your suggested, and I am still getting the "The Internet Shortcut... " error. I have tried every combination of http:// I can think of in the URL section of the registry. I even found a reg key online that repaired that part of the registry, (which is how it was when I listed above).
More ideas are welcome!
Scott
ASKER
Zee,
Been to See section: Various Registry Fixes = "RepairDefaultPrefix.reg"
(http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm) ran the fix, and rebooted, no help.
This is going on 5 weeks with this problem. Thanks again... any other ideas?
Been to See section: Various Registry Fixes = "RepairDefaultPrefix.reg"
(http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm) ran the fix, and rebooted, no help.
This is going on 5 weeks with this problem. Thanks again... any other ideas?
Try this one:
1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Browsing, click the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box, and then click OK.
Zee
ASKER
Ok, that was a new one for me, didn't even think of that.
Unfortunately, it didn't resolve the problem.
Unfortunately, it didn't resolve the problem.
Am I wrong, or you do not have this entry:
Open Registry (regedit.exe) and goto the following key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
In the right-pane, set the data for the value "default" to "http://"
I believe you missed it in my earlier post.
ASKER
Sorry,
I did not have that entry initially. I did enter it based on your earlier post and forgot to mention it, sorry. I didn't reboot, (I can do that now, after hours) but it didn't have any effect, and in playing around with those keys trying to solve this, I found that the results are usually immediate.
I did not have that entry initially. I did enter it based on your earlier post and forgot to mention it, sorry. I didn't reboot, (I can do that now, after hours) but it didn't have any effect, and in playing around with those keys trying to solve this, I found that the results are usually immediate.
is IE working or not?
if IE is working, check the shortcut.
right click the IE shortcut, goes to 'propertities'->'shortcut'
Please check the target is correct or not. it should point to the
"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" or something like that. it depends on where you install your IE.
if it's not point to the correct target, try to use 'Find Target...', then browse to some directory to find the 'iexplore.exe'.
Lijun
if IE is working, check the shortcut.
right click the IE shortcut, goes to 'propertities'->'shortcut'
Please check the target is correct or not. it should point to the
"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE" or something like that. it depends on where you install your IE.
if it's not point to the correct target, try to use 'Find Target...', then browse to some directory to find the 'iexplore.exe'.
Lijun
Sounds like a CWS symptom to me.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Run this file:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html
Let us know.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Run this file:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html
Let us know.
ASKER
lijunguo - IE is working normally, except that when I type in www.some-domain.com, it doesn't default to http:// right away. It takes 40 - 60 seconds to get come up with the site. If I put the http:// prefix in front of any web address, there is no dealy, it resolves the DNS, and goes right to the site.
If I type in, say, news.google.com it redirects to c:\some\address\on\the\c\d
Netman66 - I have run cwshredder when this first started to try and correct this problem, and it found no evidence of the file. I will run the file listed above in the morning.
Thanks!
If I type in, say, news.google.com it redirects to c:\some\address\on\the\c\d
Netman66 - I have run cwshredder when this first started to try and correct this problem, and it found no evidence of the file. I will run the file listed above in the morning.
Thanks!
browse to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
In the right pane, restore the value:
"(Default)"
to its correct value. This value is normally "http://" (without quotes).
also see
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.smartsearch.html
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
In the right pane, restore the value:
"(Default)"
to its correct value. This value is normally "http://" (without quotes).
also see
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.smartsearch.html
ASKER
Kaily27-- If you see the post at 3:24pm from Blue_Zee he already suggested this and I made the change. As for smartsearch, the symantec symptoms say: Typed URLs are redirected to http:/ /smartsearch.ws. This isn't the issue. IE isn't being directed to smartsearch, or anywhere else, but it is being delayed on www entries, and tries to go to a directory on the C drive when you use a URL without a www, (news.google.com) see above.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding your suggestion.
Scott
Perhaps I am misunderstanding your suggestion.
Scott
Scott,
One more registry check:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softwar
"{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-
Note: edit as needed, *always* Export before editing.
Zee
ASKER
Good Morning...
Here's the results for the last set of recommendations:
Netman66 - Reviewed the Merijn pages, and checked all of the registry keys under Internet Explorer under HKCU\software\microsoft\In
I also downloaded and ran cwshredder again, it found nothing on my system.
Blue Zee - Exported the registry (thanks for that!) and checked (as above) the URLSearchHooks key. It was blank. I downloaded and ran the cws killer as suggested above and it gave the system a clean bill of health.
All - I did notice that after something in the above checks, there appears to be a difference in symptoms, although both cws scanners said they found nothing. Now, if I go to a chached site in IE, using www.somecacheddomain.com it comes right up, this did not used to be the case, (or it did, and I am not terribly observent). The major new difference is that when I type in a URL that doesn't start with www, news.google.com I get a blank screen rather than it trying to open the file news.google.com on my C drive.
When I go to start --> run --> regedit (or any other command) I still get the original error message, this internet shortcut...
I have not rebooted yet from the scans, or items done yesterday, I will post the results of rebooting.
--side question, is there a way to increase the point value for this question? It seems like there's an inordinate amount of work going into this one?
Thanks again
Scott
Here's the results for the last set of recommendations:
Netman66 - Reviewed the Merijn pages, and checked all of the registry keys under Internet Explorer under HKCU\software\microsoft\In
I also downloaded and ran cwshredder again, it found nothing on my system.
Blue Zee - Exported the registry (thanks for that!) and checked (as above) the URLSearchHooks key. It was blank. I downloaded and ran the cws killer as suggested above and it gave the system a clean bill of health.
All - I did notice that after something in the above checks, there appears to be a difference in symptoms, although both cws scanners said they found nothing. Now, if I go to a chached site in IE, using www.somecacheddomain.com it comes right up, this did not used to be the case, (or it did, and I am not terribly observent). The major new difference is that when I type in a URL that doesn't start with www, news.google.com I get a blank screen rather than it trying to open the file news.google.com on my C drive.
When I go to start --> run --> regedit (or any other command) I still get the original error message, this internet shortcut...
I have not rebooted yet from the scans, or items done yesterday, I will post the results of rebooting.
--side question, is there a way to increase the point value for this question? It seems like there's an inordinate amount of work going into this one?
Thanks again
Scott
Scott,
Looking forward to your "after reboot" report.
No, there is no way to increase points but you can reward the expert(s) with an A grade, and if you feel they deserve an extra bonus you just post a new question with a title "Points to ...".
Zee
ASKER
After reboot, found the same results:
Internet Explorer -- Delay when typing in a URL with www and now a blank screen with a URL that doesn't start with www. (news.googe.com, download.com.com)
Start --> Run still get the This Internet Shortcut error.
sigh
Internet Explorer -- Delay when typing in a URL with www and now a blank screen with a URL that doesn't start with www. (news.googe.com, download.com.com)
Start --> Run still get the This Internet Shortcut error.
sigh
Try this little utility: http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm.
Just unzip and run (no installation required).
I know you also tried Hijack This, but do you want to run a scan and post the log?
Maybe there is something hidden somewhere that an Expert may help cleaning?
Just a suggestion at this point, as my ideas for your problem are very close to none.
Zee
ASKER
I ran the bhodemon, which is very cool, and it came up with 5 entries
2 were Adobe Acrobat (which I disabled cause i never use them)
1 was WSFTP Pro (I disabled this one too)
1 was google toolbar, (kept that one)
1 was BHOProxy from vivedence, a online survey company which has been installed forever.
I have a log from hijackthis at:
http://www.uncomplicated.net/~shultis/hijackthis.txt
it's from a couple of weeks ago. I will post a new one later today. Work tends to get in the way of the important stuff. :)
Thanks again for all of your help! And if anything else comes up to save all my tweaks from getting formatted...
Scott
2 were Adobe Acrobat (which I disabled cause i never use them)
1 was WSFTP Pro (I disabled this one too)
1 was google toolbar, (kept that one)
1 was BHOProxy from vivedence, a online survey company which has been installed forever.
I have a log from hijackthis at:
http://www.uncomplicated.net/~shultis/hijackthis.txt
it's from a couple of weeks ago. I will post a new one later today. Work tends to get in the way of the important stuff. :)
Thanks again for all of your help! And if anything else comes up to save all my tweaks from getting formatted...
Scott
I don't know if this would have any bearing on anything or not, but if you type somedomain in your address bar and then hit CTL+ENTER instead of just enter, does it fill in to http://www.somedomain.com?
ASKER
CountRugen -- That works, I tried with google, and it put in http://www.google.com. Tried a few other domains and they all worked with www and .com. That would suggest that the default value at least for autocomplete is correct. So with that information, how do I fix the shortcut problem?
Scott,
One more registry thingy:
Using Regedit, browse to the following registry key and make sure the noted setting is correct:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softwar
"Append Completion"="yes"
You will also see the following values:
"Use AutoComplete"="yes"
"AutoSuggest"="no"
Good luck (keeping fingers crossed...)
Zee
ASKER
Zee - The "Use AutoComplete was set to Yes. The Autosuggest was also set to yes. I switched it to NO, with no results.
I also found this information in the newsgroups, which is interesting, although to champange bottles being opened on this end. It does make me wonder if my Rundll32.exe file hasn't been corrupted, virused, spywared, or in some other way muddled.
------
--> copied from microsoft.public.win2000.g
From a command prompt;
assoc .url
should return with
.url=InternetShortcut
If not
assoc .url=InternetShortcut
to restore the file type association.
ftype internetshortcut
should return with
internetshortcut=rundll32.
If not
ftype internetshortcut=rundll32.
to restore the default "Open" action.
--
Regards,
Dave Patrick ....
-----
End of newsgroup quote
This led to some interesting leaps of logic, which had me looking at my rundll32.exe file, which has had some errors in the past. I found another article that said that there are issues with power options settings and the NVIDIA video driver, and that setting the monitors to turn off after a set amount of time caused the internet shortcut issue for this user. I DID, in an attempt to save 8 or 9¢ worth of electricity, set my monitors to shut off after a certain amount of time.
So NOW my problem is, that when I try to do anything in the control panel, I get a rundll32.dll error. So I have to figure out how to get into the power options to turn them off and see if that works.
I also found this information in the newsgroups, which is interesting, although to champange bottles being opened on this end. It does make me wonder if my Rundll32.exe file hasn't been corrupted, virused, spywared, or in some other way muddled.
------
--> copied from microsoft.public.win2000.g
From a command prompt;
assoc .url
should return with
.url=InternetShortcut
If not
assoc .url=InternetShortcut
to restore the file type association.
ftype internetshortcut
should return with
internetshortcut=rundll32.
If not
ftype internetshortcut=rundll32.
to restore the default "Open" action.
--
Regards,
Dave Patrick ....
-----
End of newsgroup quote
This led to some interesting leaps of logic, which had me looking at my rundll32.exe file, which has had some errors in the past. I found another article that said that there are issues with power options settings and the NVIDIA video driver, and that setting the monitors to turn off after a set amount of time caused the internet shortcut issue for this user. I DID, in an attempt to save 8 or 9¢ worth of electricity, set my monitors to shut off after a certain amount of time.
So NOW my problem is, that when I try to do anything in the control panel, I get a rundll32.dll error. So I have to figure out how to get into the power options to turn them off and see if that works.
Or extract a fresh copy of rundll32.dll?
ASKER
Control panel works, it's anything I click on doesn't work. I found a solution to that, (which is a good one to keep the back of your head) from the command prompt, type control filename.cpl where filename is the control panel item that you want to run. That brought up a couple of the control panel dialog boxes.
I set my power options to NEVER turn off the monitors ro harddrives and rebooted, no luck.
I checked the modified date on the rundll32.exe and it's late 99, so it hasn't been modified. I also checked my path and it looked good to me,
PATH=C:\WINNT\system32;C:\
WINNT\system32\nls\English
s\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\BINN;C:\Pr
I will try to extract a new copy of the run32dll.exe, although, I believe it's working, but the system is looking in the wrong place for it. I will post the results.
I set my power options to NEVER turn off the monitors ro harddrives and rebooted, no luck.
I checked the modified date on the rundll32.exe and it's late 99, so it hasn't been modified. I also checked my path and it looked good to me,
PATH=C:\WINNT\system32;C:\
WINNT\system32\nls\English
s\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\BINN;C:\Pr
I will try to extract a new copy of the run32dll.exe, although, I believe it's working, but the system is looking in the wrong place for it. I will post the results.
I'm havig a similar issue ... if I do a Start->Run www.goggle.com
IE comes up, but I get an error it can't find www.google.com
If a IE window is already up, and I type www.google.com it runs fine.
I tried reinstalling IE6 and everything
IE comes up, but I get an error it can't find www.google.com
If a IE window is already up, and I type www.google.com it runs fine.
I tried reinstalling IE6 and everything
I solved it ....
i ran inetwiz, reset my IE Web settings, unchecked make IE my default browser
and I ran HIjack this and got rid of some garbage and that seemed to fix it
i ran inetwiz, reset my IE Web settings, unchecked make IE my default browser
and I ran HIjack this and got rid of some garbage and that seemed to fix it
This is from 2k Pro
---------------- *.reg ----------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
@="http://"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"
---------------- end *.reg ----------------
Your showing...
>>Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>Class Name: <NO CLASS>
>>Last Write Time: 2/16/2004 - 11:49 AM
>>Value 0
>>Name: <NO NAME>
>>Type: REG_SZ
>>Data:
>>
>>Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>Class Name: <NO CLASS>
>>Last Write Time: 2/13/2004 - 5:08 PM
>>Value 0
>>Name: <NO NAME>
>>Type: REG_SZ
>>Data:
...your 'DefaultPrefix' and 'Prefixes' keys are suppose to have a values in the data fields and yours have no values.
---------------- *.reg ----------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
@="http://"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"
---------------- end *.reg ----------------
Your showing...
>>Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>Class Name: <NO CLASS>
>>Last Write Time: 2/16/2004 - 11:49 AM
>>Value 0
>>Name: <NO NAME>
>>Type: REG_SZ
>>Data:
>>
>>Key Name: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
>>Class Name: <NO CLASS>
>>Last Write Time: 2/13/2004 - 5:08 PM
>>Value 0
>>Name: <NO NAME>
>>Type: REG_SZ
>>Data:
...your 'DefaultPrefix' and 'Prefixes' keys are suppose to have a values in the data fields and yours have no values.
I happened upon this post today and I have the IDENTICAL PROBLEM!
I fixed it.
There is an entry in the registry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
I had in-error changed the value to "http://"
Simply highlight it and delete it. It will be replaced automatically by the correct value {default}
After that everything will work again.
I know this fixes the problem because I had the IDENTICAL problem. It took me over 6 hours to figure it out.
I fixed it.
There is an entry in the registry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
I had in-error changed the value to "http://"
Simply highlight it and delete it. It will be replaced automatically by the correct value {default}
After that everything will work again.
I know this fixes the problem because I had the IDENTICAL problem. It took me over 6 hours to figure it out.
ANSWER:
The answer is provided in the prior response I made. However, if my response is not clear let me know and I will try to clarify.
Although the responses provided earlier have been very in-depth, the answer happened to be a very simple one. Unfortunately it still took me 6 hours to come upon it.
Simply highlight the registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
If you have either nothing or http:// in that field, you will experience the error of the programs not being able to run.
When you delete it, it will reset to {default} (ie. NOT blank).
That's it. You can then access the control panel, as well as properties from the desktop.
Note, I also made the mistake of putting "http://" in the default key, in my case because of instructions on the Symantec site for dealing with spyware.
The answer is provided in the prior response I made. However, if my response is not clear let me know and I will try to clarify.
Although the responses provided earlier have been very in-depth, the answer happened to be a very simple one. Unfortunately it still took me 6 hours to come upon it.
Simply highlight the registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
If you have either nothing or http:// in that field, you will experience the error of the programs not being able to run.
When you delete it, it will reset to {default} (ie. NOT blank).
That's it. You can then access the control panel, as well as properties from the desktop.
Note, I also made the mistake of putting "http://" in the default key, in my case because of instructions on the Symantec site for dealing with spyware.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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What is PAQed?
Out of curiosity I'd like to know why my solution was not accepted. I experieced the identical problem and I tried every prior suggestion presented here. As I said, it took me 6 hours to find the solution.
I understand the original poster may have abandoned the question, but other technicians will ask the same question and will appreciate the solution being identified for them.
Considering the time I invested (6 hours) into finding the solution, I'd like to know why it is not identified as the accepted answer? Is it only the original poster that can accept the answer?
Out of curiosity I'd like to know why my solution was not accepted. I experieced the identical problem and I tried every prior suggestion presented here. As I said, it took me 6 hours to find the solution.
I understand the original poster may have abandoned the question, but other technicians will ask the same question and will appreciate the solution being identified for them.
Considering the time I invested (6 hours) into finding the solution, I'd like to know why it is not identified as the accepted answer? Is it only the original poster that can accept the answer?
ASKER
InternetHotSpot:
I apologize for not awarding the points. I had tried the prefixes (see the original question) and it had not solved my issue, in other words, I was still having the problem.
The final resolution was that my company gave me a very long overdue upgrade and I'm now running a new machine with XP, and the problem became somewhat moot, and I gave up. THe machine is still running, but using Firefox, with no issues. It appears that I can't award the points now no matter what, although I'd give them to you for the effort if I could. I don't tend to use them very much.
For what it's worth, (and I realize that it's not much) thanks! I appreciate it. I would have liked to know, in my case what it is/was.
Scott
I apologize for not awarding the points. I had tried the prefixes (see the original question) and it had not solved my issue, in other words, I was still having the problem.
The final resolution was that my company gave me a very long overdue upgrade and I'm now running a new machine with XP, and the problem became somewhat moot, and I gave up. THe machine is still running, but using Firefox, with no issues. It appears that I can't award the points now no matter what, although I'd give them to you for the effort if I could. I don't tend to use them very much.
For what it's worth, (and I realize that it's not much) thanks! I appreciate it. I would have liked to know, in my case what it is/was.
Scott
PAQ = Previously Asked Question
some call it "Points Awarded Question"
some call it "Points Awarded Question"
Scott,
I know what you mean about having tried the prefixes. As I had the same problem, I found your question and I tried everything listed, but it still happened.
After 6 hours of total frustration, I finally decided to take a risk and delete the whole registry key. Before that, I was trying to 'change' the value. It was only when the key was completely deleted that it reappeared with the correct value.
In most cases when you edit an entry in the registry you can safely delete a value and it will work the same as resetting it to default. But in this case if you have either nothing or "http://" in that field, you will experience the error of the programs not being able to run.
HTH
I know what you mean about having tried the prefixes. As I had the same problem, I found your question and I tried everything listed, but it still happened.
After 6 hours of total frustration, I finally decided to take a risk and delete the whole registry key. Before that, I was trying to 'change' the value. It was only when the key was completely deleted that it reappeared with the correct value.
In most cases when you edit an entry in the registry you can safely delete a value and it will work the same as resetting it to default. But in this case if you have either nothing or "http://" in that field, you will experience the error of the programs not being able to run.
HTH
It may be a HOSTS file problem.
Look also for a file named HOSTS (no extension, could be hidden) rename it OLDHOSTS.
Zee