Can't launch internet explorer

[isup]

When try to launch internet explorer 6.0 get - 'The page cannot be displayed'. I.E is permitted in my Norton Internet Security 2005. Mozilla Firefox launches ok. Thanks for your help.

-i

[sechs]

Count it as a blessing and move on....

[isup]

Microsoft update, etc. will not use Mozilla FireFox so I need IE.

-i

Here's what MS says:

"The Page Cannot Be Displayed" Error Message When You Try to Start Internet Explorer

View products that this article applies to.

Article ID : 326155
Last Review : June 23, 2005
Revision : 5.3
This article was previously published under Q326155

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start Internet Explorer, you may receive one of the following error messages:

. The page cannot be displayed
. Unable to locate server
. Internet Explorer could not open the search page
. When you run America Online (AOL) version 6.0 and you try to start . Internet Explorer, you may receive the following error message:
. Waol.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if any one of the following conditions is true:
• Your Internet Explorer connection settings are incorrect.
• Incorrectly configured, non-functioning, or incompatible firewall or proxy software has been installed.
• There is an incorrect entry in a Hosts file.
• Your network adapter is not functioning correctly or you have incompatible network adapter drivers installed.
• The Internet Connection Sharing installation is not functioning or is not configured correctly.
• If you use America Online (AOL) or CompuServe there may be parental control restrictions applied to the account, or you may be running an older or incompatible version of AOL.
• The Winsock registry keys are damaged or corrupted.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, try one or more of the following methods.
Verify your Internet Explorer connection settings
Note Before you continue, remove or turn off any firewall, internet security, or proxy software that is installed.

To verify that you can connect to your Internet service provider (ISP) and that the connection settings for Internet Explorer are correct, follow these steps:

1. Verify that the Use a Proxy Server check box is cleared or selected, according to your Network Administrator or ISP's instructions. To view this check box, follow these steps:
a. Start Internet Explorer.
b. Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
c. Use one of the following methods:
• For LAN and most DSL and Cable modem users, click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings.
• For dialup modem and Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) users, click the Connections tab, click the appropriate connection under Dial-up and Virtual Private Network settings, and then click Settings
2. Use an ISP access number that is not a toll number.
For additional information about how to troubleshoot Internet Explorer connection settings, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
303488 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303488/) Dial-up networking connections do not work after upgrade to Windows XP
307164 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307164/) Windows XP Internet programs cannot connect to the Internet through broadband connection

Look for Hosts files

To determine if the problem is caused by an entry in the Hosts file, look for Hosts files on the local computer and rename all the Hosts files that are found. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
2. In the All or part of the file name box, type hosts.
3. In the Look in list, click your hard disk, and then click Search.
4. Click all the Hosts files that are found. If there is more than one, click one Hosts file, and then hold down the CTRL key while you click other Hosts files.
5. Press F2.
6. Type a new name. For example, type oldhosts, and then press ENTER.

~+~+~+~+~+~

Also, see:

Error: "Page cannot be displayed" (Server or DNS error)
"Internet Explorer could not open the Search page"

HTH - let us if any of those solutions work.

[isup]

I renamed the host files and IE worked. Closed IE window and tried starting again but it fails.
My Norton Internet Security 2005 brought up the message - Virus found// Object Name- C:\WINNT\system32\msvnc.sys//Virus Name - Hacktool.Rootkit//Action-Unable to repair this file, access to the file was denied.
Also cleared IE history and deleted temporary internet files but still can't launch IE.
Microsoft was able to download and install automatic updates although IE can't launch.

-i

Did you get this resolved?

If you're still having a problem, try going to www.trendmicro.com, click 'Free Online Scan'.

Have you checked your running processes to see if an alien file is running?

Do a search on your computer for: MSDIRECTX and post the filename/s and location/s if found.

Other info:
http://www.antisource.com/article.ph...msnt-msdirectx

INFO

Hacktool.Rootkit comprises a set of programs and scripts that work together to allow attackers to break into a system. If Hacktool.Rootkit is detected on a system, it is very likely that an attacker has gained complete control of that system. All files that are detected as Hacktool.Rootkit should be deleted. Infected systems may need to be restored from backups or patched to restore security.

Type: Trojan Horse
Infection Length: Varies
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP

Hacktool.Rootkit is used to install backdoors on systems. They are made up of a variety of programs and scripts that break into systems and attempt to hide evidence of the intrusion. Attackers use these kits to gain Administrator or Superuser access on vulnerable systems.

Occasionally a rootkit may use legitimate programs or operating system files to carry out part of an attack. These files are not detected as Hacktool.Rootkit.

[Viking_LW]

Since you are running Norton anyway:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com...l.rootkit.html

here is the "How to get rid of it" part:



Run LiveUpdate to make sure that you have the most recent virus definitions.
Start Norton AntiVirus (NAV), and make sure that NAV is configured to scan all files. For instructions on how to do this, read the document How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
Run a full system scan.
Delete all files that are detected as Hacktool.Rootkit.

The presence of Hacktool.Rootkit implies that the security of the system has been compromised. The system should be restored from known clean backup copies or patched to restore security.




Additional information:

Rootkits first appeared on the UNIX operating system. Administrator/Superuser accounts on UNIX systems are called root. Rootkits are kits of programs that are designed to gain root access on a system. The term rootkit now refers to any set of tools that can be used to gain unauthorized access to a system.





Write-up by: Jimmy Shah


I would bookmark Symantec's site... they do a very good job of tracking attacks and how to get rid of them. Btw, I have noticed that many of the current attacks tend to add bogus entries into your HOST file. You can always open it (rt click/open with/ notepad) and see if it has appropriate entries. Look for entries that are similar to this:

127.0.0.1 Symantec.com
127.0.0.1 McAfee.com

The only valid entry there with a 127.0.0.1 associated with it should be "localhost". All others are simply telling your system to look at itself for the websites. GOOD LUCK!