Member Avatar for theirmom

I have win98SE, Ie6 sp1, Mcafee updated dats as of 05.12.04, netzero v7. When i attempt to access netzero, I can log on, receive email into my outlook97 but not get an internet explorer window. Instead, i get a page fault error with MSIESH.dll. I cannot surf the net to download any software so i was unable to download spy-bot or it's updates. I do have access to a computer outside my home. From what i've been reading i've been hacked. Is there a way for me to get spy-bot or adware with updates from another computer.

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Dani AI

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As noted, this looks like a classic browser‑hijack. Priority one is isolation and backing up personal data (mail folders, Favorites, documents) before trying fixes. Do not reconnect the infected PC to the Internet until the system is cleaned.

If you have a clean computer, download up‑to‑date removal tools and their update files there, scan the downloaded installers on the clean machine, then transfer them to the infected machine on removable media. If the installers will not run under Win98, remove the infected drive, attach it to the clean PC as a secondary drive and scan it directly.

Manual checks that often fix persistent hijacks on Win98:

  • Boot Safe Mode (F8) and try to unregister and remove the offending DLL (adjust path if needed), for example:
    regsvr32 /u "C:\Windows\msiesh.dll"

    If unregistering fails because the library is in use, stop Explorer, rename the DLL and delete it from a command prompt in Safe Mode. Back up registry and the Win98 registry files first:

    copy c:\windows\system.dat d:\backup\system.dat.bak
copy c:\windows\user.dat d:\backup\user.dat.bak
  • Check startup points: WIN.INI run=/load= lines and the registry keys under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Inspect the Hosts file (C:\Windows\Hosts) for redirects and remove suspicious entries.

If cleaning does not fully restore functionality, export personal data (Outlook PSTs/contacts, Favorites), then consider a full reinstall. Win98 is unsupported and infections can be deeply persistent; a clean OS install is often the fastest, safest cure. After recovery, update antivirus/anti‑spyware definitions on a supported OS and keep regular backups.

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Member Avatar for DMR

Yup, you've got unwanted guests on your system- MSIESH.dll is related to the CoolWebSearch hijacker.

If you have accesss to another machine, I'd suggest downloading the lastest versions of SpyBot Search & Destroy, Ad Aware, and CWShredder and burning them to a CD. You can get the programs on to the infected machine that way.


-Moving this to the Security forum...

Member Avatar for theirmom

will do thanks so much for your help

Member Avatar for DMR

OK, let us know how it goes! :)

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