I'm stuck. I somehow got this file on my computer called "searchpage.html", which kept re-appearing after I deleted it. However, it keeps getting set as my homepage. But since it's gone, it can't be found, etc. How do I go about removing it altogether, so it doesn't want to load?

*edit: Also, if I try to type in an address, I need to type the "http://" part, or it redirects back to "C:/searchpage.html" (which of course isn't on the computer anymore, and cannot be accessed).

Sounds to me like a Registery Key needs fixing.

What you would have to do is first come to terms with the fact that you might have to throw caution the wind and fix the registery by hand. Most people fear doing this because of the main problem, "They don't know what they are doing".

The thing is you have to look at the computer as just being a big calculator, and realise that if it errors too badly from mucking with it's internal settings you can just reload it. (Note: this understanding is only of use if you are actually able to reload it in that event, it's no good using someone elses computer with this attitude or you could find yourself becoming poor quickly.)

All you have to do to get to editing your registry is Click "Start" then goto the "Run..." selection, and then when you click that write in Open dropdown "Regedit" then "Ok" it. (This is quicker than telling you how to locate regedit, and works on the basis that the computer already knows the paths to such programs)

When Regedit is running and shown on your screen, the first thing you should do is make a backup of your registry. (This means if you alter it, delete keys etc, you can fix the problem with the backup. One thing to remember though is if you install or uninstall things, this backup becomes void, so it's best backing up before you decide to start altering things.)

How to backup in this case is in the Registry Editor (Regedit) click "File", then "Export...". Now type in a file name and select a location, and make sure the radio button has selected "Export Range: All", save the export where ever you want.

(The system will sort it out so that the .REG file is stored with the ability to be double clicked to cause it's information to be deposited back into the Systems Registry, useful if your haphazardly deleting keys that you might need and want to get those deleted keys back).

Now in Regedit to deal with your "searchpage.html" problem, what you would do is select "Edit" from the menu bar, and then pick "Find..." make sure "Match whole string" is unchecked, and type in "searchpage.html" in the textbox. Then click the button "Next".

The program will then do a search looking for that entry within the registry keys. It could take some time because the registry file can be quite big.

When (if) you find it, you should be able to replace it with what ever you want in it's place.

You can then test to see how it alters your system, it will either alter a program the next time you load the program, or it will alter the OS the next time you boot up. (Depending on what you alter and where)

If you ever in doubt of altering a key, then do a google search on what the key actually does.

Looks like you've been 'browser hi-jacked' from what i've read it nothing really harmful just an anoyance, have you tried any spyware removal or adware progs?
Ad aware download info (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)
Xscan spyware removal (http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php)

Check these and see if it spots and removes whats causing it ;)

just found this on another site as a cure method

C:/Searchpage ,
step one download lavasoft adaware ,
step two download Hijack this place it in its own folder
step 3 goto C:/windows/system 32 and delete Mshelper.dll and then rename mtwirl.dll to Mtwirl.bogus.
Then search for C:searchpage file and delete it .
restart computer, run Hijack this and change have it fix all occurences of C:searchpage .
run adaware and get rid of rest .
go back to C:/windows/system32 and delete mtwirl.bogus
walla and god bless , it took me two days to figure it out.
PS dont play with your registers that Mtwirl.dll is active and rewriting them every 15 seconds. SO until you rename it and reboot your stuck with it


Hijack this link (http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/)
:D

Still worth putting together the full picture there. Since the end of your quote mentioned about "rewriting registry keys".

Admittedly I did leave out the "First looking through your running processes for odd running programs", which is probably the main thing I should have mentioned.

If the program is running on your system, then it can stop you deleting files and altering entries, so you have to stop it running.

Then you can do the registry editing, or use one of those programs for removing it automatically. (However, what happens when you get hijacked by a program that your automated program doesn't deal with?)

However, what happens when you get hijacked by a program that your automated program doesn't deal with?

Well i'd make a post about it on SciForums asking for help ;)

Or i could just stay offline... :eek:

That or I'd format my hard drive deleting the partition then do a fresh install... bit extreme but i hate to know my Pc has been infected with anytype of anoyance, from adware to virus, and i could'nt easily fix it... :mad:

Anyway, hope you can now fix your prob with ease Idle Mind

Best way to get rid of it... Get the following two... I think you can get them off http://download.com

Adaware
n
Spyware blaster

I have both Adaware, and Spybot Search and destroy...the problem is, I think it might be one of the files associated with Kazaa, and when you remove them, Kazaa stops working. That wouldn't normally be a problem, but it's a friend's computer.

kazaa iz awful, get rid of it asap, install emule, it's a lot better

This was a real bitch of a problem, but Spybot Search and Destroy actually corrected it quite nicely by cleaning up the registry. Here's the URL: http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download

Good luck.
Carl.

ps ... it's free!

Spybot S&D also has a checkbox for locking the homepage, so that it can't be forced elsewhere by outside agency, and also is capable of immunising against spyware it knows about. I use it in conjunction with Adaware, which seems to be updated more regularly and finds spyware Spybot S&D misses but doesn't have the features I mentioned above.

Keep away from those porn sites, and if you're going to use Kazaa (or most other peer-to-peer file sharers) then you'll just have to live with spyware on your system. Your choice.

I always check my msconfig.

But, Ad-Aware is the best program id say. www.lavasoft.nu
(it is swedish so it works :) )

You should use kazaa-lite. Its Kazaa nix the adware. Spybot is the best, but adaware has a far better interface.

nobody should use any form of kazaa. it's network is monitored like nothing else.
--
advice BitTorrent or DC++

why even bother using kazaa.
If you really must have games, movies, music then i believe that BitTorrent as Avatar says is best. However this might be of interest to some of you http://wzone.6x.to