aol tool bar has taken over program at startup
I read the other thread on this, and no help. When I open FFX 18 a popup appears prompting me to change my homepage to AOL and use AOL security page program. I did not solicit this add-on. Things I have tried: I can not use restart FFX because I can not use any of the functions of the browser with out accepting the pop up offer. Used task manager to shut down, but program restarts with same pop up. NO AOL program shows in programs list under contol panel to unistall. Have already unistalled and reinstalled FFX and pop up cam right back. HELP mozilla is my favorite browser, but I can't use.
Windows 7/pro hp p dv6
Chosen solution
UPDATE %80 credit to John99 A rootkey startup scan gave me the confidence that nothing really malicious had taken over the comperter. I un installed Java 39 update. I counterintuitivly allowed the AOL pop up to do it's thing (it is worded in a weird non confidence inspiring way), and refused the java 36 plugin request. Then used the reset FFX to clean old data. I just assumed that an uninstall/reinstall would have the same effect. It now appears I have a clean version of FFX running on the computer. I will reinstall Java udate next and keep an eye out for things that may have allowed the aol tool bar in?? How it got there is yet a mystery.
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I would have hoped AOL would be fairly reputable and would allow anything installed to be uninstalled again relatively easily.
If you have security software that may be preventing changes and may need to be disabled. The easiest option is probably to allow whatever it is to install and then uninstall it. Alternativly try starting in Windows Safe mode by using the F8 key at startup see if that helps.
Are you able to say exactly what the applications / programs are that are installed
See also these threads about the AOL toolbar /questions/937474 & /questions/949595
Also you may be interested then in
Modified by John99
As I mentioned I have already viewed those threads. They do not help. When the pop up appears, no other function of the program is usable, including closing the program, or the program start menu. thus restart firefox, troubleshooting, etc. can not be used. The program can only be closed from the task manager at this point. There is no cancel or option out in the pop up window. unistalling and reinstalling FFX did not solve the problem. FFX starts with the AOL tool bar already intalled and the pop up asking to set AOL/AOL hompage security as the default home page. There are NO request from OS for permission from a program to change computer. I am not going to click on this box. I don't think it even has anything to do with AOL. This problems is not affecting versions of FFX on other computers. I have norton internet security and a macaffee security programs running. A full system scan has not turned up any problems. FFX is currently unistalled from my computer. A recent HP bios update and Java update have been installed? I have not resorted to a system restore yet. Am also working with norton to find problem, as well as here. Others have this problem... any help appreciated.
Chosen Solution
UPDATE %80 credit to John99 A rootkey startup scan gave me the confidence that nothing really malicious had taken over the comperter. I un installed Java 39 update. I counterintuitivly allowed the AOL pop up to do it's thing (it is worded in a weird non confidence inspiring way), and refused the java 36 plugin request. Then used the reset FFX to clean old data. I just assumed that an uninstall/reinstall would have the same effect. It now appears I have a clean version of FFX running on the computer. I will reinstall Java udate next and keep an eye out for things that may have allowed the aol tool bar in?? How it got there is yet a mystery.
Glad to hear that it is fixed.
A basic uninstall and reinstal of Firefox rarely solves problems.
Firefox by default preserves your profile, but unfortunately parts of that may well cause the problem. Sometimes files in the Firefox programs folder may also remain and could cause problems.
The firefox reset option effectively removes parts of the profile, whilst retaining some important items such as the places.sqlite which has your bookmarks and History