In brief, two weeks ago I installed Norton Antivirus 2006. Immediately after doing so, quite a few of my icons disappeared from the desktop. When I tried restarting my computer, it said I was missing the hal.dll file. Well, today I finally recovered the system and even got Norton installed and running ok. My one problem now is that my homepage is permanently set to the HP/Netscape homepage that comes with the computer. I have run Adaware, Spybot, Window Washer and History Eraser, but I still cannot change my homepage. Norton also says there are no virii present. Can anyone help me out? Thanks! KRastro

IE Restrictions http://camtech2000.com/Pages/Restrictions.htm Have you had problems with sites hijacking your Home Page or other Internet Explorer restrictions? IE Restrictions will remove most common restrictions that may have been set by a sleaze web site as well as other methods. I do not guarantee this will remove all types available as there are just too many to put in one program but this will take care of 24 of the most common ones. Of course you can also use it to set any restrictions you'd like to have on your PC. Freeware and Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP compatible.

You might try going to start>internet explorer>tools>reset web settings>yes. Then go to start>control panel>display>desktop>customize desktop>web>place check to the left of everything except "my current home page">delete. Restart the computer. If you continue to have problems and would like to post a Hijack This log download Hijack This at this link http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/ then place it into a folder of it's on, such as C:\HJT, so that back up copies can be made and not clutter your desktop or other folders and the backup copies of deleted items can be easily located if needed. Once saved double click HijackThis.exe, and press "Scan". When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log" button. Press that, save the log, Ctrl-A to Select All, and copy its contents into the text editor. Do not fix anything yet unless you know what you are doing. This is a powerful tool that can crash the computer if used improperly.

Jabuck, Thanks for the reply. I tried what you suggested. Unfortunately there was no change. I have posted a Hijackthis log on the TomCoyote site. The thing is, I have a feeling it is not a standard "hijack". Somehow, the browser software doesn't want to change from the original setting. The homepage it is set on is the one it was set to at the factory. Anyway, I am waiting for an answer over at Coyote. If you can think of anything else in the meantime, I would really appreciate it! KRastro

KRastro, If you have Spybot S&D installed open it, click on "Tools", click on "IE TWEAKS" and uncheck "Lock IE startpage setting against user changes". Tufenuf

Tufenuf, Thank you for your suggestion. The "Lock IE startpage setting against user changes" box was unchecked. However, just for the fun of it, I decided to check it and then uncheck it. Strangely enough, I am now able to change the homepage! Thanks for your help! KRastro

*I decided to check it and then uncheck it" That's why I nominated > IE Restrictions http://camtech2000.com/Pages/Restrictions.htm