AOL/Internet explorer

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Sandy - 06 Oct 2003 14:54 GMT

Cannot do any searches online. Phoned AOL. They had me
phone Microsoft. Phoned AOL again.

Lost internet explorer. Downloaded browser. But still
cannot search for anything when online. All I get is Page
cannot be displayed. I do not know what internet explorer
I have. I am using AOL 8.0 and have windows 98. I know
little about computers, but could use some assistance.

Thanks.

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Bob May - 06 Oct 2003 19:10 GMT

AOL won't tell you that their updates that happen at the end of every
session occasionally include a patch to stop access to the web, keeping you
on the AOL servers only. This patch is a random choice apparently with the
AOL update system and apparently is to insure that you stay with the AOL
system.
The cure for the patch is to delete the AOL direcotry and reload the program
from the CD and then go online (all of your settings should still be valid
as they are in the Registery) and you will get a big update when you go
offline. If you are really unlucky, you may get that stupid patch again and
have to do the process again but the proof of a patch being downloaded is
that you will be able to access the web before you get the patches at the
end of the session.
Finally, I'll note that most places have several servers of the web that do
access to the web for $10 a month and they give you at least 1 email address
in that and often 5-20mb of webspace if you want to have a website.
Finally, the Instant Messaging system has gone to general usage so you can
download that part of the AOL experience and still have access to your
friends there.

--
There are more Democrats on the Calif. Special Election than Republicans!
Go count if you don't believe me!
Bob May

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Marci - 30 Oct 2003 19:25 GMT

I'm having the same problem as the person who posted the
original message. I upgraded my daughter's AOL to 8.0 and
now I can't use IE. I originally had IE 6, but since I
can't get access Microsoft, I've reinstalled 5.0. I have
deleted all AOL directories, reinstalled IE as well as my
Juno program. I have tried various things, but I either
get a blank page or "Page Cannot Be Displayed". And while
I'm connected to the internet, nothing else is connected
(i.e., I use CallWave and it isn't connected). Please
help!!! Thanks!!!

>-----Original Message-----
>AOL won't tell you that their updates that happen at the end of every
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

Jon Kennedy - 07 Oct 2003 05:12 GMT

See this site - the Fixes section - to reset your default search settings in
IE:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers4.htm#search_engine
If you are using Windows 2000, this could be the issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q274696

Signature

Jon R. Kennedy
Charlotte, NC, USA
jkennedy2@carolina.rr.com

> Cannot do any searches online. Phoned AOL. They had me
> phone Microsoft. Phoned AOL again.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks.

Reply to this Message

Sandi - Microsoft MVP - 12 Oct 2003 07:21 GMT

Probable Qhosts infection. Check the advice URL in my signature.

Signature

Install the latest IE cumulative patch for protection against QHost:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-040.asp
More information about QHosts can be found here:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/darnit_3.htm#qhost
________________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer

> Cannot do any searches online. Phoned AOL. They had me
> phone Microsoft. Phoned AOL again.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks.

Reply to this Message

Ken - 28 Oct 2003 18:34 GMT

Not sure exactly what you are entering and where you are
clicking when you "search" in IE. Your problem may be
simply an error in your method. By the way, you can
identify which version of IE you are using by clicking
Help (in IE) and then clicking "About Internet Explorer".
If none of the other posted suggestions solved your
problem, read this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=165474

>-----Original Message-----
>Cannot do any searches online. Phoned AOL. They had me
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>Thanks.
>.

Reply to this Message

Bob May - 28 Oct 2003 19:44 GMT

Please note that when you are using AOL for your web access, you really
arn't working on the full web until you open a web access port with the IE
program. Before that, you are just on the AOL series of servers for what
you are seeing. You have to do a special operation to gain a port through
the AOL server system to the rest of the web.
AOL, in its attempts to keep people on its system, often breaks the ability
of the IE to run properly and access the web.
The fastest way that I know of to regain the access is to delete the AOL
directory on the computer and reload everything. This usually cleans out
the "damaged" file and allows for the accessing of the web from the AOL
server.
WHEN YOU ARE ON AOL, YOU ARE NOT ON THE WEB! ! !

--
Bob May
Losing weight is easy! If you ever want to lose weight, eat and drink less.
Works evevery time it is tried!

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H Leboeuf - 29 Oct 2003 17:53 GMT

Search engine problem?

Qhosts virus/trojan, ALERT!.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_100719.htm
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/trojqhosts1.html

Removal tools that have been used with success.
http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/CIS/Software_Services/virus/index.html
http://software.brown.edu/dist/w-cleanqhosts.html

Be sure that you install hotfix 828750 which fixes the exploit that this
virus uses:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/828750/default.asp

Signature

Henri Leboeuf
Web page: http://www.generation.net/~hleboeuf/index.htm

> Not sure exactly what you are entering and where you are
> clicking when you "search" in IE. Your problem may be
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> >Thanks.
> >.

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