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View Full Version : No more search engines! HELP!


Tiffany
09-24-2003, 05:29 PM
Okay, I'm trying to get to google and this stupid message comes up. I can get to yahoo but whenever I input a search it says it cannot be found. Hotbot, altavista, and ask jeeves aren't working either! They all lead back to this dumb page that reads:

Are you trying to get to Google?

Your computer is running software that doesn’t allow you to use Google.

You’re seeing this page because your computer is trying to send you to a website that is pretending to be Google. Over the past few weeks, you may have seen a website that looks like Google, but launches pop-up windows and does not work like Google. That page is not affiliated with Google in any way and is intended to deceive you.
Why is this happening?

Most likely a program was installed on your computer automatically and without your knowledge when you downloaded an otherwise harmless piece of software. Or you may have been tricked into clicking on a disguised download button while visiting a website.
What can I do about it?

This problem can be fixed fairly easily, but will require that you make changes in a file that is part of your computer’s operating system. You should always be cautious when making these kinds of adjustments, as they may affect the performance of your computer. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you may want to print out this page and show it to someone whose technical knowledge you trust.
What steps do I take?

The first step is to remove the entry for Google from your hosts file. This entry is telling your computer where to send your computer instead of to Google.
In Windows, open the Notepad program. You can do this by going to the Start menu in the lower left of your screen, selecting “Programs,” then “Accessories,” then “Notepad.”
In the Notepad menu, click on “File,” then “Open.” You will see a new window asking which file to open. You may need to change "Files of type" to "All Files" instead of "Text Documents". The actual file to open is listed below:
If your computer is running Windows XP, Window NT, or Windows 2000, the file is located in the folder found by following this path:
My Computer >Local Disk(C) >Windows >System32 >Drivers >etc >hosts
If your computer is running Windows 98, Second Edition or Windows ME, the file is located in the folder found by following this path:
My Computer >Local Disk(C) >Windows >hosts

Once you have opened this file, remove entirely any line of text that contains “google.com”, “www.google.com” or other Google domains (such as “google.co.uk”). To remove the text, highlight it by dragging your pointer across the line while holding down the mouse button. Once the text is highlighted, hit the Backspace or Delete button, then save the file by going to the File menu and clicking “Save.” You can now exit Notepad.


What the hell is going on?! Me needs desperate help! I've tried doing what it says and nothing is working. If anyone can help me with this it would be most appreciated.

WorlWydeHusla
09-24-2003, 08:04 PM
Does mama.com work?

Sorry about your problem I dunno

Aivoton
09-25-2003, 05:54 AM
try scan your drive with ad-aware... might be some spyware messing up your computer

NorthViking
09-25-2003, 07:30 AM
You prolly have spyware on comp.
Have you clicked "yes" on any popups ?

First try AdAware - www.lavasoft.nu (http://www.lavasoft.nu)
If that doesn't help try Search & Destroy - http://spybot.eon.net.au/index.php?lang=en&page=download

Also run a virus program and check that host file again to make sure the entries are removed.

Hope that helps.

Aivoton
09-25-2003, 08:51 AM
you could also (assuming you have winxp) go to "c:\program files\internet explorer\plugins" and look there for strange .dll's

:EDIT: skip the (assuming you have winxp).. my bad...

Dr.MAD
09-25-2003, 11:10 AM
I'm almost sure you have spyware crap on your PC. Download Adaware or Spybot and the crap will be cleared.
You can also try to do a virus scan, but I would recommend you use an online scanner, since it is possible that your AV software has been infected (in case you do have a virus at least)

www.antivirus.com

Link
09-25-2003, 04:31 PM
That's a strange error, but it's probably spyware that's at fault.

The only other thing I can think of is your version of Internet Explorer being outdated.


Link

Pahalial
09-25-2003, 05:00 PM
Fix everything by installing Mozilla.

No, really.

:o

eCK0
09-25-2003, 09:03 PM
Fix everything by installing Mozilla.

No, really.

:o
No, fix everything with Firebird. :p

giundy
09-25-2003, 10:23 PM
hmm..Mozilla Firebird...I hope you're not arguing.....

Definatly spy ware or a virus. Skip adaware and go straight for spybot search and destroy. Also run your virus scanner.