What to do about the 'about.blank' pest.

1. The first option is to use a browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Opera (Java) browsers are unaffected by this problem.
2. The second option is to remove this pest by hand. We describe how to do this below.

Tools necessary:

• Registry editing tool. Reglite is a free program that is up to the task. You can download it at http://www.resplendence.com/registry/reglite.htm Download this program and install it.
• Windows Recovery Console
• Operating system CD

Steps to take:

The goal is to remove both dll files in the System32 folder. It is possible to work out a set of steps to delete the "unseen" dll first or the "seen" dll first, as long done properly. Lets delete the visible dll first.

• First
  • Look in the C:\Windows\System32 folder and sort on date by clicking on the 'Modified' tab at the top of the dates column. Find the visible dll, it should be at the top of column when sorted. Jheckb.dll is an example name of a file found by a user, yours will probably have a different name. Rename this file. Open CMD-shell by clicking Start>Run>cmd (or command). Type 'CD\windows\system32' then hit return. Next type 'rename,' hit the spacebar, type the name of the dll file found in system32, type DeleteMeAfterReboot, then hit enter.
  • Reboot your computer and delete this file.
• Second
  • Open RegLite. Search the Registry for: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\
    Windows\\AppInit_DLLs
  • Click on AppInit_DLLs to show the 'value data.' You should see something like: C:Windows\System32\"unseen.dll" A user reported wdm.dll as a dll name, yours will probably be different.
• Third
  • Install and configure the Windows Recovery Console Option:
    1. Insert your operating system CD.
    2. Run your CD:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons
    3. A dialog box comes up, telling you it takes some memory to install. Click yes to install. The boot menu should appear automatically, if it doesn't do the following: Right Click My Computer. Click Properties. Click Advanced Tab. Click Startup and Recovery Settings. Check Time to Display List of Operating Systems. Readjust the timeout to 30 seconds.
    4. Apply the settings, reboot, and in the recovery console you will see the new option.
  • Then in the Windows Recovery Console go to C:\Windows\System32, you will need full administrator rights, modify the file by using the Attrib command to erase it. Alternatively, you could rename the file.

  C:\Winnt\System32: rename 'unseen.dll' (whatever the name is) to DeleteMeAfterReboot
  C:\Winnt\System32: attrib -R DeleteMeAfterReboot

• Fourth
  • Reboot computer.
  • Open RegLite. Search again for: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\
    Windows\\AppInit_DLLs
  • Open AppInit_DLLs. Delete the 'Value:'
  • Open Internet Explorer. Click 'Tools' In the 'Address:' bar enter the homepage of your choosing.
    

If you find the value HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run\network service, delete it and reboot the machine immediately.

If you find the value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run\network service, delete it and reboot the machine immediately.