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brian2k1

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Notepad Unexpectedly Closes after typing a few characters

My machine was recently besieged by a bunch of  trojans/spyware programs after clicking on a URL from a google search. I have manually edited the registry, used a couple of suggested cleaners, and spybot. Most everything has been fixed except the following:

IE default homepage is still hijacked by "Home Search" page which now make IE unusable and doesn't even close without creating an error.

And NOW when I use notepad and type a few lines it closes, no warning just BAMM its gone.

Does anyone know what's going on with my pc and how to fix it. I'm in the middle of a bunch of projects and completely ditching and reformatting has to be my last resort.

Thanks!
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SheharyaarSaahil
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brian2k1

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That is great info and I've already used SpyBot, About:Buster, to no avail.

Do you know anything specifically about this Notepad problem?

Thanks.
>> Do you know anything specifically about this Notepad problem?
must be a background application is closing it... have you tried to open it in safemode yet ??
>> That is great info and I've already used SpyBot, About:Buster, to no avail.
Did you disable the system restore before running them?
Did you run them all in safemode ?? just running them is not gonna work.... a proper procedure is needed to clean the system :)
F8 to Safemode, ran them all, system restore was turned off before attempting any of that. I usually turn off system restore but forgot last month when I did a fresh install!

I'll try the program again and see what happens.
Hope you have a different browser other than IE to download those spyware removal tools as your IE doesnot seem to work.
If you donot have another browser , Try to fix IE using this http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
or repair or reinstall if that tool doesnot work
brian2k1,

You can try this http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hsremove.html 
looks specific to ur issue
>> I'll try the program again and see what happens.

Dont forget to run the Home Search Removal tool.... and try one more thing plzz, goto IE>Tools>Internet Options>Advanced and under Browsing untick Enable Third Party Browser Extensions(requires restart)
Apply and now check if you still get those errors with IE ??
I use FireFox  as a 2nd browser and have already switched to it permantly. I also sent a complaint to MSFT via the link in IE help. I like MSFT software but these IE spyware problems have to be fixed ASAP.
>> You can try this http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hsremove.html 
>> looks specific to ur issue

sunray its the same tool as i mentioned in my first suggestion >> Home Search Removal Tool ==> http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/10/17/10-17-210.shtml

:)
>> but these IE spyware problems have to be fixed ASAP
no problem..... we will surely solve them :)
SheharyaarSaahil,

Never saw your updated spyware listings.  

Brian,
You can run that hsremove tool to see if that would solve this issue.. that would avoid running so many tools
Appreciate all the help and quick replies!

After I'm done I'll update this thread.
sure..... good luck :)
brian2k1,

More than spyware issue you have problems with applications.
Make sure to solve all those aswell.

Fixing IE using IEFIX and reinstalling the applications that doesnot work (if required) needs to be done aswell.

Once you see the hijacker no longer comes make sure to restart the machine and see if they donot come back again.Spywares are notorious for that..

SR
So far:

Ran all the same utilities then CWShreader and Adaware I think those two actually killed the infection.

IE works but is slow and I disabled 3rd party plugins which killed GoogleBar. So I enabled it then selectively disabled the plugins I thought were a problem, which seems to fix the homepage takeover issue.

Go to Internet Options, Programs, click on Manage Add-ons button
I disabled:
      crmv.dll
      Research
      SearchAssistantOC

Notepad is still closing for now reason, arghh!

Anyone know how just clicking on a URL a website was able to install all this crap without prompting me?
Use Hijackthis to fix those nasty BHOS, or get BHODemon >> http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/10/17/10-17-71.shtml
And is notepad closing in safemode also ??
brian2k1,

Did you run IEFIX>. You may want to run that and see if that solves IE issue..

Make sure to restart your machine to be sure spyware has totally gone.

Does other applications also crash ?