Google and Service Pack-3

Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as well as
other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it returns
some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on "Preferences"
then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to Windows
XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
Has anyone ever heard of this?

Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Stu wrote:
> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as well
> as
> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
> returns
> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
> "Preferences"
> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
> Windows
> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
> Has anyone ever heard of this?

I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some setting in
IE that the update automatically changed?


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?
>
> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>
> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Stu wrote:
>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as well
>> as
>> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
>> returns
>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
>> "Preferences"
>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
>> Google
>> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
>> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
>> Windows
>> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
>> Has anyone ever heard of this?
>

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background when you
installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?

Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform), reboot,
and see if the behavior persists.
--
~PA Bear


Stu wrote:
> I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some setting in
> IE that the update automatically changed?
>
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?
>>
>> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>>
>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
>> "Windows
>> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>>
>> Stu wrote:
>>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
>>> well
>>> as
>>> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
>>> returns
>>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
>>> "Preferences"
>>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
>>> Google
>>> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
>>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
>>> thing
>>> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
>>> Windows
>>> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
>>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
>>> correct.
>>> Has anyone ever heard of this?

On Sep 7, 10:49*pm, "Stu" <stuma...@mindspring.com> wrote:
> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as wellas
> other search engines). *When I search for something using Google, it returns
> some obscure, but remotely related sites. *If I then click on "Preferences"
> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
> and things are working correctly. *Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
> again. *All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to Windows
> XP pro. *Did something get set wrong during the installation? *I've gone
> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
> Has anyone ever heard of this?

I know that Google works well with SP3 since I am using it with SP3
now. You need to check the "add-ons" you are using in IE.

First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. I
uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange behavior.
When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got a
warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I didn't
remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
problem?

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OlnT76cEJHA.4744@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
> firewall
> (if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background when
> you
> installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?
>
> Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
> toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform),
> reboot, and see if the behavior persists.
> --
> ~PA Bear
>
>
> Stu wrote:
>> I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some setting
>> in
>> IE that the update automatically changed?
>>
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?
>>>
>>> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>>>
>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
>>> "Windows
>>> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
>>> --
>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>
>>>
>>> Stu wrote:
>>>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
>>>> well
>>>> as
>>>> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
>>>> returns
>>>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
>>>> "Preferences"
>>>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
>>>> Google
>>>> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
>>>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
>>>> thing
>>>> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
>>>> Windows
>>>> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've
>>>> gone
>>>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
>>>> correct.
>>>> Has anyone ever heard of this?
>

Have you downloaded and run the Norton Removal Tool yet? If not, do so
immediately:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...05033108162039

[Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly!]

What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
enabled?

Don't uninstall anything else, especially any .NET Framework versions!
--
~PA Bear


Stu wrote:
> First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. I
> uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
> many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange behavior.
> When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
> with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got a
> warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I
> didn't
> remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
> problem?
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OlnT76cEJHA.4744@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>> firewall
>> (if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background when
>> you
>> installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?
>>
>> Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
>> toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform),
>> reboot, and see if the behavior persists.
>> --
>> ~PA Bear
>>
>>
>> Stu wrote:
>>> I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some setting
>>> in
>>> IE that the update automatically changed?
>>>
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the
>>>> problem?
>>>>
>>>> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>>>>
>>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
>>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
>>>> and
>>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go
>>>> to
>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
>>>> "Windows
>>>> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
>>>> --
>>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Stu wrote:
>>>>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
>>>>> well
>>>>> as
>>>>> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
>>>>> returns
>>>>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
>>>>> "Preferences"
>>>>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
>>>>> Google
>>>>> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use
>>>>> "Advanced
>>>>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
>>>>> thing
>>>>> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
>>>>> Windows
>>>>> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've
>>>>> gone
>>>>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
>>>>> correct.
>>>>> Has anyone ever heard of this?

On Sep 8, 6:15*pm, "Stu" <stuma...@mindspring.com> wrote:
> First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation. *I
> uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. *I have no toolbars, I find them to be too
> many commercials and not very helpful. *I still have the strange behavior.
> When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
> with. *Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. *I was going to remove it, but I got a
> warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I didn't
> remove it. *Do you think this could be something that could cause my
> problem?
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote in messagenews:OlnT76cEJHA..4744@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl ...
>
> > What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? *What
> > anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? *What third-party
> > firewall
> > (if any)? *Were any of these applications running in the background when
> > you
> > installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?
>
> > Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
> > toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform),
> > reboot, and see if the behavior persists.
> > --
> > ~PA Bear
>
> > Stu wrote:
> >> I just tried that, but It didn't help. *Could I be missing some setting
> >> in
> >> IE that the update automatically changed?
>
> >> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >>news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl. ..
> >>> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the problem?
>
> >>> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
> >>>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
>
> >>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
> >>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
> >>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. *Go to
> >>>http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173| select
> >>> "Windows
> >>> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
> >>> --
> >>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> >>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> >>> AumHa VSOP & Adminhttp://aumha.net
> >>> DTS-Lhttp://dts-l.net/
>
> >>> Stu wrote:
> >>>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
> >>>> well
> >>>> as
> >>>> other search engines). *When I search for something using Google, it
> >>>> returns
> >>>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. *If I then click on
> >>>> "Preferences"
> >>>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
> >>>> Google
> >>>> and things are working correctly. *Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
> >>>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
> >>>> thing
> >>>> again. *All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
> >>>> Windows
> >>>> XP pro. *Did something get set wrong during the installation? *I've
> >>>> gone
> >>>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
> >>>> correct.
> >>>> Has anyone ever heard of this?

..Net Frameworks are updates from Microsoft. They should be there
since MS i attempting to give a "standard" "programming" platform for
other application providers. I know that Nero requires a .Net
Framework as well as ATi Catalyst Control Center.

Well, I did the removal tool from Symantec, no change. So I went back to a
restore point from before I installed even SP-2!! Still no change in
behavior. I'm considering reloading XP-Pro, I don't know what else to do
I'll let you know the results.

Stu

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:#g#c9TeEJHA.224@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Have you downloaded and run the Norton Removal Tool yet? If not, do so
> immediately:
> http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...05033108162039
>
> [Norton applications are notorious for not uninstalling cleanly!]
>
> What anti-virus application is installed now? Is the Windows Firewall
> enabled?
>
> Don't uninstall anything else, especially any .NET Framework versions!
> --
> ~PA Bear
>
>
> Stu wrote:
> > First, let me say thank you for trying to help me with this situation.
I
> > uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus. I have no toolbars, I find them to be
too
> > many commercials and not very helpful. I still have the strange
behavior.
> > When I went into "Add/Remove Programs", I saw something I'm not familiar
> > with. Microsoft.net Framework 2.0. I was going to remove it, but I got
a
> > warning message that said other programs may rely on it to work, so I
> > didn't
> > remove it. Do you think this could be something that could cause my
> > problem?
> >
> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:OlnT76cEJHA.4744@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
> >> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
> >> firewall
> >> (if any)? Were any of these applications running in the background
when
> >> you
> >> installed and/or uninstalled WinXP SP3?
> >>
> >> Assuming you're now running WinXP SP2, uninstall any/all third-party
> >> toolbars (e.g., Google; Yahoo; Windows Live; MSN; Skype; Roboform),
> >> reboot, and see if the behavior persists.
> >> --
> >> ~PA Bear
> >>
> >>
> >> Stu wrote:
> >>> I just tried that, but It didn't help. Could I be missing some
setting
> >>> in
> >>> IE that the update automatically changed?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >>> news:Oz%23v%23dUEJHA.768@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >>>> Does uninstalling WinXP SP3 via Add/Remove Programs resolve the
> >>>> problem?
> >>>>
> >>>> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
> >>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
> >>>>
> >>>> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available
for
> >>>> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat
> >>>> and
> >>>> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go
> >>>> to
> >>>> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select
> >>>> "Windows
> >>>> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
> >>>> --
> >>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> >>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> >>>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> >>>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Stu wrote:
> >>>>> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as
> >>>>> well
> >>>>> as
> >>>>> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
> >>>>> returns
> >>>>> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
> >>>>> "Preferences"
> >>>>> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to
> >>>>> Google
> >>>>> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use
> >>>>> "Advanced
> >>>>> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences"
> >>>>> thing
> >>>>> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
> >>>>> Windows
> >>>>> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've
> >>>>> gone
> >>>>> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks
> >>>>> correct.
> >>>>> Has anyone ever heard of this?
>

Hello again.

I copied the URL for both the "strange behavior" and the correct behavior
for a search for 'ExMark Explorer'. This is a type of commericial lawn
mower. If someone wouldn't mind trying both URL's and see if they don't
return different results.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search
This is the one with the strange results.
http://www.google.com/search?q=exmar...=Google+Search
This gives the right results. As you can see, there are a few extra
"digits" in the strange one.

Stu

"Stu" <stumann1@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:H%Xwk.23704$3A4.21852@newsfe04.iad...
> Since installing Service Pack-3, I'm having trouble with Google, (as well
as
> other search engines). When I search for something using Google, it
returns
> some obscure, but remotely related sites. If I then click on
"Preferences"
> then "save Preferences" (without making any changes), it returns to Google
> and things are working correctly. Similarly, if I try to use "Advanced
> Search", all I get is a blank screen, unless I do the "Preferences" thing
> again. All this seems to have occurred since I installed SP-3 in to
Windows
> XP pro. Did something get set wrong during the installation? I've gone
> through all the "Internet Options" in IE-6, and everything looks correct.
> Has anyone ever heard of this?
>
>