Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 9/10/2004

Question
I have 2 problems

1:When I open any page in internet explorer, at the top of the page or side of the page I get a message saying : "i the page cannot be displayed." the page you are looking for is currently unavailable.the web site may be experiencing difficulities or you may need.etc etc etc.Why is this happening? What can be the cause of it.

I checked all the settings in tools, internet options, and selected default settings.


2: Also when i download any file through download accelerator plus I get the same above message of "page cannot be displayed checke your connections.
When i refresh it it starts the download.

I have a p3-600 128 ram 20 gb hdisk. i also have winxp sp2 installed


please help me

thanks

hasan  

Answer
Thank you for providing such detailed information. The fact that you can get downloads after refreshing makes it clear that the problem isn't something simple such as a poor setting in your XP firewall.

Your computer is most likely infected by a poorly programmed adware program, meaning something that pipes unwanted ads to your browser. However, it could also be some worm or virus that attacks your Internet connections.

In case it is a worm or virus that has evaded your antivirus program, first try this. First, make sure the XP firewall is enabled on your Internet connection. Click Control Panel --> Network Connections --> (your Internet connection) --> Properties --> Advanced to make sure the firewall is on.

Now you can safely but briefly turn off or uninstall your current antivirus program. Don't do anything else except install the free version of Grisoft antivirus, from http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

To make sure Grisoft eradicates all copies of the virus, you will need to disable System Restore. Windows XP uses System Restore to restore damaged files. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore might have backed them up. Windows will not let antivirus or adware/spyware removal programs clean up System Restore. Later, if you use System Restore, it might also restore viruses, worms, and Trojans. In order to get rid of nasty programs hiding in System Restore, you first need to disable it.

How to disable or enable System Restore in Windows XP:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDo...

Don't turn Windows Restore back on just yet.

If everything works now, then you could safely uninstall Grisoft and reinstall your regular antivirus program, or stick with Grisoft if you like it better. I would advise getting the paid version of Grisoft so you could get updates for it.

If this did not work, try running some antispyware programs. The add/remove programs feature of your computer usually cannot remove Adware and spyware.

For instant free help, try Ad-aware,
http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware and Spybot, http://www.safer-networking.org You can use one or both together, as they are compatible. In addition, if you are more of a power user, you can install BHODemon. It is free from http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm It enables you to control the "browser helper objects" of Internet Explorer (IE). Adware and spyware and some viruses and worms exploit IE.

If things are working now, you can safely reactivate Windows Restore.

If this entire hassle is getting you fed up with IE and Outlook, here is how to avoid infection by most of the upcoming versions of viruses, worms, adware and spyware. Simply install a browser and email reader that is far safer. You can get Mozilla free from Mozilla.org, or Opera free from Opera.com.