IE shuts down and closes internet connection? Virus? Help please!

from Elemental Forums

Hello all.

Sorry, I am technically inept and NOT computer savvy. I don't know what to do and do not want to risk destroying my computer.

Computer is relatively new Sony Vaio running Windows 7 Home Premium and Internet Explorer, probably 8, but cannot check that now due to problem I will describe. Problem = since today, when starting the computer, I get the message (in German: I am translating it here; I live in Germany and sadly Win 7 is only in German) that I need to complete a wizard for Browser Selection. This wizard informs me that my IE has been removed from my taskbar but can be put back once the wizard is completed. It also tells me I cannot continue in the wizard unless I confirm that I am connected to the internet. My internet connection seems blocked; my Network tells me I am connected to my LAN connection, but that there is no internet connection.

This all sounds creepy to me. I have AVG antivirus up and running and it seems to be sending no warnings, but i have no idea what this is. I cannot access the internet from that computer until this is cleared up, so I am writing from the office. The whole wizard appears to me jury-rigged and unprofessional, I have no idea who it comes from (Windows? Microsoft? AVG? Someone else?). I have no idea what to do, if clicking on the wizard steps will cause a terrible Trojan to appear, or what.

Does anybody know what is going on and why? I trust you people here, thank you for your advice!

13,139 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Personally...I would go ahead and use the wizard...if you are about to get a trojan my guess is your antivirus "should" come up and stop it.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I got a similar wizard last week through normal windows update (win 7 home premium); in the update description it said something about the anti-monopoly thing going on between the EU and microsoft, with the EU forcing microsoft to give each user a choice of browsers.
I ran the wizard without further problem or incident, and easily made the transfer to firefox.
My guess would be that it's legit.

About the internet connection...  I'm not that tech-savvy myself, but I assume that if the LAN is connected, but no internet is available, that the problem lies with the modem not connecting to your IP?

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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

If you just connected your new computer to the modem make sure that you unplug the modem and then plug it back in.  Otherwise it will still be looking for your old pc and but see the new one and think it is an imposter so wont connect to the internet.  So shut down and unplug everything including your modem and router(if you have one) and then replug and retry.