Microsoft KB Archive/302459

= Cannot Change Default Home Page Setting from Webcombo Site =

Article ID: 302459

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0

-



This article was previously published under Q302459



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



SYMPTOMS
When you change your default home-page setting from http://www.webcombo.net to any other Web address, and then restart Microsoft Internet Explorer or click Home in Internet Explorer, your home page may still be http://www.webcombo.net.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if you have downloaded the program Webcon.exe from Webcombo.net as part of its Internet service provider (ISP) package. This program is placed in your Windows\System folder and a run-line entry is placed in the win.ini file that causes the home page to be reset automatically to http://www.webcombo.net. Additionally, Webcombo.net adds a file called mouse_wc.exe to the Windows folder, and this program also runs when you start your computer.



RESOLUTION
To work around this issue, follow the steps appropriate to your operating system.

Quit Webcon.exe

 * 1) Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
 * 2) Select Webcon, and then click End Task.

Rename Webcon.exe

 * 1) Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
 * 2) In the Find: All Files dialog box, type webcon.exe in the Named box, and then click Find Now.
 * 3) Select any instances of webcon.exe in the list of files that are found, and then click Rename on the File menu.
 * 4) Type webcon.old, and then press ENTER to change the name.

Edit Win.ini

 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Run dialog box, type win.ini, and then click OK.
 * 3) In the Notepad window, click Find on the Edit menu.
 * 4) In the Find dialog box, type webcon under Find what, and then click Find Next.
 * 5) Delete the Run command line that contains the reference to &quot;webcon.&quot;
 * 6) On the File menu, click Save.

Rename Mouse_wc.exe as Mouse_wc.old

 * 1) Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
 * 2) In the Find: All Files dialog box, type mouse_wc.exe in the Named box, and then click Find Now.
 * 3) In the list of files that are found, click mouse_wc.
 * 4) On the File menu, click Rename.
 * 5) Type mouse_wc.old, and then press ENTER to change the name.

Edit the Registry
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

 Click Start, and then click Run. In the Run dialog box, type regedit, and then click OK. In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, browse to the following subkey:

Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run

 Select the string value that contains a reference to &quot;mouse_wc.exe.&quot; On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion. On the Registry menu, click Exit.</li> Restart the computer.</li></ol>

Quit Webcon.exe

 * 1) Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
 * 2) Click Task Manager.
 * 3) Select Webcon, and then click End Task.

Rename Webcon.exe

 * 1) Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
 * 2) In the Search Results dialog box, search for files named webcon.exe, and then click Search Now.
 * 3) Select any instances of webcon.exe in the list of files that are found, and then click Rename on the File menu.
 * 4) Type webcon.old, and then press ENTER to change the name.

Edit Win.ini

 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Run dialog box, type win.ini, and then click OK.
 * 3) In the Notepad window, click Find on the Edit menu.
 * 4) In the Find dialog box, type webcon under Find what, and then click Find Next.
 * 5) Delete the Run command line that contains the reference to &quot;webcon.&quot;
 * 6) On the File menu, click Save.

Rename Mouse_wc.exe as Mouse_wc.old

 * 1) Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
 * 2) In the Search Results dialog box, search for files named mouse_wc.exe, and then click Search Now.
 * 3) In the list of files that are found, click mouse_wc.
 * 4) On the File menu, click Rename.
 * 5) Type mouse_wc.old, and then press ENTER to change the name.

Edit the Registry
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

<ol> Click Start, and then click Run.</li> In the Run dialog box, type regedit, and then click OK.</li> In the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, browse to the following subkey:

Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run

</li> Select the string value that contains a reference to &quot;mouse_wc.exe.&quot;</li> On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.</li> On the Registry menu, click Exit.</li> Restart the computer.</li></ol>

Keywords: kbenv kbui kbprb kb3rdparty KB302459

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.