IE Toolbar will not retain custom settings

[TonyT26]

Win XP Pro SP2, IE ver 6.0.2900.2180

After flushing out a few trojans, IE will not longer retain my custom settings. Once I get IE all set like I want & click on 'lock the toolbar', or close & reopen IE, or Ctrl N, it jumps right back to the default places. It does not re-add toolbars that I have de-selected, but what is selected goes back to the default location.
I have tried all that I can think of, reinstalling ie.inf, running SFC, boot to safemode & tried there too, no help.
I'd welcome any suggestions

TIA
Tony T [26]

 

[linney]

Some antispyware like SpyBot S+D lock changing certain settings in IE. As do certain GPO settings. Double check any settings.

 

[TonyT26]

Pretty well been there, I can't see any settings in anything I used including GPO settings. Nearest I see deals with the backgroud image whether to use the default or custom, but nothing on position settings locked or not. I'm thinking reg key missing or bad, just not sure which key. I kinda figured SFC or ie.inf would have rebuilt it. I'm going to try blowing away the toolbar webbrowser key. If you run across any other info on where position info is kept, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
-T

 

[linney]

Which AntiSpyware Security type of programs are you running?

Have you tried a Registry Cleaner?

Group Policy - User Configuration/ Administrative Templates/ Internet Explorer/ Toolbars

Prevents users from determining which buttons appear on the Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer standard toolbars.

Is there a problem with your User Profile, can other users make changes?

 

[TonyT26]

I've thrown a bunch at it spybot, adware, xcleaner, panda, plus going through logs myself. I ended up at a bad site, I knew I was in trouble when it popped up showing me where to click to accept thier info, I alt-f4 out of everything but it still loaded bargains.exe & bullseye network, finally found the loaders & ok now just the toolbar bs - I did setup an alt user profile, but it acts the same, but I did notice that it is actually the google toobar that's acting flakey. No matter what line I put it on it drops to the next line down when I lock the toolbar, the rest stay where I put them, blew google away & reloaded it same no help. I've ck'd googles site but didn't find anything so I've got an email out to them.
Thanks for the input, I'll post a follow up when I hear what Google has to say.

-T

 

[linney]

I'm not sure if I have been much help to you because I think we may have been at cross purposes, I thought you were having a problem with Customizing the Toolbar Icons in IE itself.

If as you now appear to be having, a problem with third party Toolbars perhaps you can look at these too.

ToolbarCop is a browser extensions manager which can eliminate the following browser add-ons selectively from Internet Explorer:
Unwanted Browser Helper Object (BHO)
Toolbars
Toolbar buttons
Context menu Extensions
Third-party download manager hooks and their residual entries remaining in the registry.

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

Make sure your options in IE/ Tools/ Internet Options/ Advanced are correct.

Uncheck the boxes for "Install on Demand" for IE and Other programs (two boxes).

Try running temporarily with the third box "Enable Third Party Browser Extensions" unchecked and see how this goes.

"This specifies that you want to disable features you installed for use with Internet Explorer that may have been created by companies other than Microsoft.
If you encounter problems with Internet Explorer that you cannot resolve, you can use this option to help determine if third-party features are causing the problems without uninstalling the feature. You must restart Internet Explorer after turning this option on or off."


Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
thread779-979113

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

 

[bcastner]

To add to linney's list, this program examines any restrictions on Internet Explorer and allows you to remove them:

http://camtech2000.net/Pages/Restrictions.htm

 

[bcastner]

Try: Line #266, right-hand panel

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[Snug]

Some of the "freeware" spyware and adware removal software are actually spyware or adware themselves. The best way to clean your machine is to purchase these products. It has been my experience that Norton2004 Internet Security works really nice. As a trial, I ran spybot, adware, and some other freebee's, then I install Norton2004 IS. Norton found serveral more actual programs. Trend has a good product too. Try one of these and forget the freebees.

 

[bcastner]

Some of the "freeware" spyware and adware removal software are actually spyware or adware themselves.

This is true. See Eric Howe's list if in doubt:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

But I would not let NIS anywhere near one of my machines. Freeware tools as discussed in faq608-4650 are excellent products for malware removal.

And at the present time the Microsoft (Giant) utility is to be recommended:
Thread779-979113

 

[TonyT26]

Well go figure, after all the stuff I threw at it & still no resolve. Seeing how I narrowed it down to the Google toolbar, I wrote Google support. Thier reply:
----------------------
Hi Tony,

Thank you for your note. We are aware of this problem with Windows XP and are working to correct it. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Regards,
The Google Team
-------------------------
Why it was working ok before & not now, not a clue, but whatever. At least I can put some closure behind it. Not the 1st bug I've run across with Microsoft products, some how I don't think it'll be the last. I do appreciate all the response, I did find a few good utilites to add to my tool kit with your links & suggestions.

Thanks again
-T