You're welcome & thanks for your feedback.

> As soon as I created the MTU file Norton found a Trojan in the registry
> and
> wiped it out, despite the fact that it had not found it previously.

Given that additional information, I'd recommend running a /thorough/ check
for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log to an appropriate
forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**
--
~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/

Gadget wrote:
> 1st suggestion worked a treat!
>
> As soon as I created the MTU file Norton found a Trojan in the registry
> and
> wiped it out, despite the fact that it had not found it previously.
>
> I apologise that I didn't write down which trojan it was as I just clicked
> "fix" and let it correct the issue.
>
> Incidentally, I did try Firefox as well on the same machine with the issue
> present
> .....(and yes I know Firefox is a dirty word here, but hear me
> out)........... .......... that program had the same issue as IE7, so it
> got removed!!!
>
> Anyway, a working laptop again means I am very grateful for your advice.
>
> Cheers mate!
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> One more question: Did this behavior start after you'd installed KB951748
>> (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951748)? If so, see if (1) disabling
>> the
>> Norton Personal Firewall and then (2) enabling the Windows Firewall makes
>> any difference.
>>
>> NB: You do NOT want to connect the machine to the internet without a
>> firewall enabled!
>>
>> Otherwise, you may need to tweak your MTU settings.
>>
>> => Option #1: See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315008 (ignore the
>> title)
>>
>> Scroll down to the section "If You Connect by DSL, Cable Modem, or LAN on
>> Windows XP"...
>>
>> <QP>
>> NOTE: If the issue continues to occur, repeat the preceding steps, but
>> type
>> a different MTU value between 1,454 and 576. When you test additional MTU
>> values, try 576 and then increase the number to 600. If setting the MTU
>> value to 600 does not resolve the issue, increase the value by 100 until
>> you reach 1,400. If the issue continues to occur, try 1,454 and then
>> stop.
>> When you are finished, if the issue is still not resolved, change the MTU
>> value back to 576.
>>
>> The maximum transmission unit (MTU) setting controls the maximum size of
>> a
>> TCP/IP packet that your computer sends. If the Internet service provider
>> has a limit for what can be received, your packets may become fragmented,
>> thus causing problems.
>> </QP>
>>
>> => Option #2: Go to http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks and run the test |
>> Check the results & recommendations afterwards; run DrTCP, if
>> recommended.
>>
>> PS: If another Norton application had ever been installed on the machine
>> (i.e., before you installed NIS 2008), let me know.
>> --
>> ~PA Bear
>>
>>
>> Gadget wrote:
>>> PA Bear, to answer your questions -
>>>
>>> "If you connect the laptop at home and/or at work directly to the
>>> router,
>>> does the behavior persist?"
>>> Yes, same regardless.
>>>
>>> "Is the Windows Firewall also enabled?"
>>> No, was turned off by NIS.
>>>
>>> "Did you upgrade to NIS 2008........."
>>> No. NIS2008 installed as a package.
>>>
>>> "Did the behavior only start after you'd installed SP3?"
>>> No. Been running it for a while after SP3 installed and was OK.
>>>
>>> "Were NAV, Norton Firewall and Spyware Doctor all running in the
>>> background
>>> when you installed SP3?"
>>> Don't think SP3 was the issue as IE7 was still working correctly after
>>> SP3
>>> was installed, but to answer your question NAV/NIS was running Spyware
>>> Doctor was purchased later.
>>>
>>> Anything else you think I could look at?
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>
>>>> So many possibilities here!
>>>>
>>>>>>> My laptop cannot access a suppliers website either at home or using
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> wireless LAN at work...
>>>>>>> Same thing when it comes to Google. I can get to the home page but
>>>>>>> cannot
>>>>>>> get to the search results page.
>>>>
>>>> If you connect the laptop at home and/or at work directly to the
>>>> router,
>>>> does the behavior persist?
>>>>
>>>> Is the Windows Firewall also enabled? (It shouldn't be.)
>>>>
>>>> Did you upgrade to NIS 2008 from an earlier version of a Norton
>>>> application
>>>> (e.g., NIS 2006 or NAV 2005)?
>>>>
>>>> Assuming IE7 was installed and then SP3 was installed:
>>>>
>>>> • Did the behavior only start after you'd installed SP3?
>>>>
>>>> • Were NAV, Norton Firewall and Spyware Doctor all running in the
>>>> background when you installed SP3?
>>>> --
>>>> ~PA Bear
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Gadget wrote:
>>>>> Hi, thanks for your posts guys.
>>>>>
>>>>> AV software is Norton Internet Security 2008 which was turned off
>>>>> during
>>>>> the
>>>>> tests
>>>>> Firewall is as above, and turned off during the tests.
>>>>> Anti-spyware is PC Tools Spyware Doctor V5.5.1.322, and turned off
>>>>> during
>>>>> tests.
>>>>>
>>>>> All software is up to date.
>>>>>
>>>>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
>>>>>> anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party
>>>>>> firewall
>>>>>> (if any)?
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> ~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/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gadget wrote:
>>>>>>> IE7 V7.0.5730.13
>>>>>>> Win XP Pro 2002 SP3
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am having trouble accessing SOME websites on my laptop, regardless
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> which ISP or ADSL connection I use.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My laptop cannot access a suppliers website either at home or using
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> wireless LAN at work, but my desk PC at home and my desk PC at work
>>>>>>> both
>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>> access the site.
>>>>>>> Same thing when it comes to Google. I can get to the home page but
>>>>>>> cannot
>>>>>>> get to the search results page.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The bar at the bottom of the screen shows "Waiting for........." and
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> progress bar gets to 5 green blocks (about 1/2 way) but nothing
>>>>>>> changes
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the main window. It just sits there waiting. I can cancel navigation
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> press stop and navigate to somewhere else (e.g. one I know I can get
>>>>>>> to!)
>>>>>>> without issue, so I know IE7 is still running.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've tried disabling all the add-ons, running spyware/addware/virus
>>>>>>> scans,
>>>>>>> reinstalling IE7 having downloaded it on another pc and installing
>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>> USB
>>>>>>> memory stick, all to no avail.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've tried running system restore to about a month ago when
>>>>>>> everything
>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>> fine, but it says there were no changes made.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Can anyone suggest what I may have missed or what I can try to get
>>>>>>> around
>>>>>>> this?