All browsers do not work correctly

[Paul Simmel]

Hello!

IE, Chrome, Firefox… do not properly display pages properly. More than not, I get a full page of gibberish, sometime code of some kind, incomplete pages, or the page will simply not load at all. I have had “Encoding” errors as well. Issue seems to be getting worse.

I have to hit Refresh, Reload, etc. Most of the time this works, but not always. Sometimes I hit Character Encode and change, with some success, but not always.

I have run sfc /scannow. Nothing turned up. I’m at my wits end, and cringe at the thought of reformat. Please help!

Thanks you…

Paul

[jman98]

Run an antivirus and see if it finds anything. I'm not surprised about the sfc result as if Windows was really messed up, you'd have other issues and not just browser ones. If you need a free antivirus, Avast is pretty good.

[Paul Simmel]

jman,

Thank you. I have run numerous virus scans, numerous malware scans, anti-malware tool from microsoft... even went to ESET NOD 32 website and scanned. Have not found anything.

[Des]

Try malwarebytes, superantispyware and spybot-search-and-destroy. Try all 3, one after the other as they each dig differently.
You can also reset ie http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737#method1

--dES

[Paul Simmel]

>>> Try malwarebytes, superantispyware and spybot-search-and-destroy

Zilla, I have run all three of them since the problem started, but not in that order. Will try that and get back.

Thank you. Re the IE reset, do you think that would affect the other Browsers too, or just IE itself.

Again, Thanks

[Des]

Re the IE reset, do you think that would affect the other Browsers too, or just IE itself.

Worth a try

--dES

[sanlyn]

Re the IE reset, do you think that would affect the other Browsers too, or just IE itself.

Just IE.
There are other apps involved with browsers, like Java runtime updates, Flash Player, etc.. Check that they're up to date. Remove all extra browser add-on toolbars and search bars (don't disable them; remove them). Make sure other programs such as Adobe updates didn't install something stupid like the Free Norton or McAfee scanners. If your antivirus program installed web add-ons or toolbars, remove them. If AOL installed a toolbar, remove it. Check your hosts file and see that it contains only the default entry plus the commented-out header (It's a text file, but it must have a length of at leastt 1000 bytes).

The Windows file scanner is a waste of time.

[Paul Simmel]

san,

Thank you, very much. I had to google "hosts file" because I don't know much about it. I found it on my system, and it shows 0 bytes. There's a backup hosts file with many numbers attached to it, with 874 bytes. That's all I know.

Just finished MalwareBytes Anti-malware with no results. Will move on to the next...

[smartel]

try Kingsoft PC Doctor lots of tweaks and info

[ranchhand]

Have you tried a System Restore to a date immediately before all this started? If you have missing/corrupted files no browser will work.

[jman98]

I think you're going to have to follow ranchhand's suggestion to have any hope of fixing this short of a complete reinstall. And do note that your original post did not mention any use of anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, hence the reason we suggested them only to find you telling us after the fact that you'd already tried that.

[jagabo]

What happens when you load local HTML pages? Ie, isolate browser issues from network issues.

[Des]

Does the same issue occur when the computer is in safe mode with and without networking?

--dES

[sanlyn]

san,

Thank you, very much. I had to google "hosts file" because I don't know much about it. I found it on my system, and it shows 0 bytes. There's a backup hosts file with many numbers attached to it, with 874 bytes. That's all I know.

The hosts file should contain at least the same data as the "sample" file. The real "hosts" file that you see in the same folder should not be blank. You can see the hosts contents in Notepad (it's really just a plain text file but without .txt in the file name). By default the hosts file is sometimes read-only; you can temporarily remove the read-only marker, edit the file in Notepad (copy the entire contents of the "sample into it, including the top comments section), then save it and return it to read-only state.

If you see that the hosts file is empty, something has modified it -- not a good sign, and a security risk. To open the file in Windows 7:

Use the path Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad, but don’t click on Notepad to open it. Rather, right-click the Notepad listing to bring up the context menu. Select the option Run as Administrator. The hosts file must be ran as administrator.

With Notepad open, select File > Open. Use the path Computer > C: > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc. You will have a blank screen, that displays the prompt "No items match your search". Change Text Documents (*.txt) to All Files using the drop down menu. Now, you can select the hosts file and click Open.

By default every hosts file contains the following text or something very similar. If your hosts file is empty or does not begin with and include the text below, copy the text below and paste it into your hosts file. Make sue that the last entry "127.0.0.1 localhost" (without quotes) is included.

# 
#
# This is a sample LMHOSTS file used by the Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to computernames
# (NetBIOS) names.  Each entry should be kept on an individual line.
# The IP address should be placed in the first column followed by the
# corresponding computername. The address and the computername
# should be separated by at least one space or tab. The "#" character
# is generally used to denote the start of a comment (see the exceptions
# below).
#
# This file is compatible with Microsoft LAN Manager 2.x TCP/IP lmhosts
# files and offers the following extensions:
#
#      #PRE
#      #DOM:<domain>
#      #INCLUDE <filename>
#      #BEGIN_ALTERNATE
#      #END_ALTERNATE
#      \0xnn (non-printing character support)
#
# Following any entry in the file with the characters "#PRE" will cause
# the entry to be preloaded into the name cache. By default, entries are
# not preloaded, but are parsed only after dynamic name resolution fails.
#
# Following an entry with the "#DOM:<domain>" tag will associate the
# entry with the domain specified by <domain>. This affects how the
# browser and logon services behave in TCP/IP environments. To preload
# the host name associated with #DOM entry, it is necessary to also add a
# #PRE to the line. The <domain> is always preloaded although it will not
# be shown when the name cache is viewed.
#
# Specifying "#INCLUDE <filename>" will force the RFC NetBIOS (NBT)
# software to seek the specified <filename> and parse it as if it were
# local. <filename> is generally a UNC-based name, allowing a
# centralized lmhosts file to be maintained on a server.
# It is ALWAYS necessary to provide a mapping for the IP address of the
# server prior to the #INCLUDE. This mapping must use the #PRE directive.
# In addtion the share "public" in the example below must be in the
# LanManServer list of "NullSessionShares" in order for client machines to
# be able to read the lmhosts file successfully. This key is under
# \machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\lanmanserver\parameters\nullsessionshares
# in the registry. Simply add "public" to the list found there.
#
# The #BEGIN_ and #END_ALTERNATE keywords allow multiple #INCLUDE
# statements to be grouped together. Any single successful include
# will cause the group to succeed.
#
# Finally, non-printing characters can be embedded in mappings by
# first surrounding the NetBIOS name in quotations, then using the
# \0xnn notation to specify a hex value for a non-printing character.
#
# The following example illustrates all of these extensions:
#
# 102.54.94.97     rhino         #PRE #DOM:networking  #net group's DC
# 102.54.94.102    "appname  \0x14"                    #special app server
# 102.54.94.123    popular            #PRE             #source server
# 102.54.94.117    localsrv           #PRE             #needed for the include
#
# #BEGIN_ALTERNATE
# #INCLUDE \\localsrv\public\lmhosts
# #INCLUDE \\rhino\public\lmhosts
# #END_ALTERNATE
#
# In the above example, the "appname" server contains a special
# character in its name, the "popular" and "localsrv" server names are
# preloaded, and the "rhino" server name is specified so it can be used
# to later #INCLUDE a centrally maintained lmhosts file if the "localsrv"
# system is unavailable.
#
# Note that the whole file is parsed including comments on each lookup,
# so keeping the number of comments to a minimum will improve performance.
# Therefore it is not advisable to simply add lmhosts file entries onto the
# end of this file.

127.0.0.1  localhost

Then in Notepad click File -> Save .

[jagabo]

The default hosts file in XP SP3 looks like:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost

All the lines that start with # are just comments for the reader. The only line that does anything in this hosts file is the localhost line. It defines a sever called "localhost" and sets it to the local computer's loopback address. So you can access your local computer via the name loclahost rather than its IP address.

[sanlyn]

@jagabo, I tried looking up the requirement for byte length of the hosts file. It used to be something like 1KB or so minimum, but I don't see anything saying that this has changed. I've never seen a hosts file that had only the one line. Just wondering if anyone knows the minimum bytes for that file.

[jman98]

sanlyn - there's no minimum per se. At least there sure isn't under Linux/Unix. It should have the localhost definition at a minimum though. I've never tested to see what happens if that file is missing under Windows, but an empty hosts file is definitely not normal. One line in a hosts file can be valid. Windows doesn't always play by the rules everyone else uses so I can't say with certainty that there aren't some weird requirements for size or contents that Windows has that Linux/Unix don't enforce on the hosts file.

[sanlyn]

Thanks, jman98. Last time I saw anything about "required" length was Windows 3.1 (!!!!!!).

Been seeing the same default hosts file ever since. Anyway, I just cut my hosts file down to a single line for localhost. Works OK. In XP Pro, anyway.

[bevills1]

What Windows version are you using? Have you tried running "chkdsk /r"? Running this will give message it can't be run now and will ask if you want to have it run on next restart to which you should answer yes. Restart and let chkdsk run. This has fixed some problems for my but not all, but it's worth a try to see if it helps.

[Paul Simmel]

jayman98,

I apologize. I have been trying to fix this for many days now, and could not possibly list everything I have tried or read about it. Most of my time has been spent on Google, and there’s nothing in Google except for those who are making web pages who are having similar issues, for example. I’ve tried a few registry cleaners as well… I’ve dumped the cache/s many times as well. So again, I meant no disrespect to anyone for not listing everything I’ve tried. I apologize in advance to anyone who may suggest something I have already tried, but not itemized here.

sanlyn & jagabo,
My hosts file was definitely empty with nothing to see (0 bytes). I went ahead and pasted the sample text you supplied and saved it a few minutes ago… thanks, but there is no apparent change after doing that (WIN-7). I pasted exactly what was in the sample. Is there anything else I need to change in there? (I have periodically gone back there, and it is still there, unchanged)

>>> What happens when you load local HTML pages? Ie, isolate browser issues from network issues.

I managed to save this topic-page to the desktop, and it seems to load correctly with all 3 browsers.

As stated above, I have been Googling my rear off to the point where my head is spinning because nobody else seems to have this issue. Speaking of Networking, I found this last night: https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using

So yes, possibly it is a Network issue? Here’s what I did. I have tried changing to the Google DNS numbers as indicated in the above reference, and for a minute or two everything seems to work OK, but only for a short while. So, then, when I go back into Properties, etc., I see the numbers have reverted back to the original numbers! (under (TCP/IPv4)).

bevills,

WIN-7. Thanks, I will try that now…

[Paul Simmel]

Sorry, smartel,

I downloaded as you suggested, tried, and no go…

Sorry, ranchhand,

Yes, I have tried in the immediate past, and the restore did not work, but I can try and find an earlier date. Maybe that will work. Thanks, will try again…

[jagabo]

My hosts file was definitely empty with nothing to see (0 bytes). I went ahead and pasted the sample text you supplied and saved it a few minutes ago… thanks, but there is no apparent change after doing that (WIN-7). I pasted exactly what was in the sample. Is there anything else I need to change in there?

No, you don't need anything at all in the hosts file. Localhost is probably only used by some network diagnostics, if at all.

I managed to save this topic-page to the desktop, and it seems to load correctly with all 3 browsers.

Then the problem isn't in the browsers.

I have tried changing to the Google DNS numbers as indicated in the above reference, and for a minute or two everything seems to work OK, but only for a short while. So, then, when I go back into Properties, etc., I see the numbers have reverted back to the original numbers! (under (TCP/IPv4)).

That's almost certainly some malware. Take the drive out of the computer and attach it as a secondary drive to another computer. Scan it for malware there.

[jman98]

As stated above, I have been Googling my rear off to the point where my head is spinning because nobody else seems to have this issue. Speaking of Networking, I found this last night: https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using

So yes, possibly it is a Network issue? Here’s what I did. I have tried changing to the Google DNS numbers as indicated in the above reference, and for a minute or two everything seems to work OK, but only for a short while. So, then, when I go back into Properties, etc., I see the numbers have reverted back to the original numbers! (under (TCP/IPv4)).

Would you mind to post what those original IP addresses are for your DNS servers that your PC reverted back to? Might be interesting for us to look up who they belong to. I think jagabo's suggestion is pretty good.

[Des]

Jagabo is right, try checking it out of the computer. If that's not an option use http://ubuntuantivirusrescuecd.appspot.com/ which is by Freebird, a member on this site.
The idea here is to unlock the drive from the OS so you have absolute access and control of it.

Happy hunting!

--dES
PS. So what happens in safemode?

[Paul Simmel]

Hi guys,

Here are the DNS numbers: 216.146.35.240 - 216.146.36.240

I am no stranger to the internals of a desktop, but this is a laptop. Never been inside one before.

I ran dskchk and nothing turned up. Will check the link DES offered. Then I'll try reverting to an earlier restore point.

Thanks you all very much. Please continue to give this some thought. I'll work on that link... let me know what you find with the DNS numbers.

[jagabo]

That IP address is associated with a product called Sendori (try a google search of the IP address). Borderline malware. I don't know if it's related to your problem with malformed web pages. But I'd start by uninstalling it.

[jman98]

Go here and scroll down just a little to read the post from id11vcna:
http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/861138

This post says that Sendori is ad-ware and it effects ALL browsers. Sure sounds to me like the OP's situation. A post later on suggests using the Revo uninstaller (whatever that is) to get rid of it.

[Paul Simmel]

Hey Guys...

I have NO IDEA where that came from. I did a search on the C: drive and got a lot of stuff (program files) and then a Google on Sendori.com and it says there that it runs in the background, etc. Oddly, I recall that many of the sites that do not load were hanging there waiting for Sendori (lower left corner in Firefox). I found it available for uninstall in Win-7, so sis that before I read the last post here. Will definitely check the link above!!! It took me two clicks to get here, so I've got my fingers crossed. This MUST be it! Websitte SAYS it affects your browser, AND, upon uninstall it refers me to there website which has many questions as to WHY I am uninstalling, and one of the questions was, "Your browser is not working properly"!!!

BTW, how do you manipulate those DNS numbers? What do you do? Are they like IP numbers?

THANK you very much (I don;t want to say "so far"). Going to check that link now...

[Paul Simmel]

I am also burning the Ubuntu disk... will scan or whatever is inside. So far so good. It's been over a week, and I am almost afraid to check other sites, but so far upon startup and coming here, very fast and noticeable change in speed with proper formatting of pages.

[Paul Simmel]

Looks like I was VERY lucky to be able to uninstall so easily! Probably because of Win-7. Going to do a reg search now...