After a brave decision to "tackle with the registry" as pointed out in the instructions - I've fixed it.
Super, thanks for the update. As far as what changed it, I don't know. It could have been simply corrupted, or maybe even malware.
I would make sure your system is, and remains clean. Here's a link to my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware. Use it if you don't already have a complete security suite and disk cleaning utilities to rid your system of malware and clutter. You can also use it as a guide to build your own security suite, and to help you develop or enhance a "Practicing Safe Computing" self-discipline.
thx for your "canned text" tutorial.
(PS: Your link for AVG Anti-Rootkit is broken for me)
Back in my military air traffic control radio maintenance days, we used to call those mysterious anomalies, "FM" and that was not for frequency modulation - but a certain type of magic!
Oh BTW, since IE6 was mentioned, do note that part of practicing safe computing is keeping your computer fully patched and updated - that includes migrating to IE7. I must admit, I was hesitant at first. I did some beta testing for MS with IE7 and there were certainly some issues that kept me from upgrading my primary (this) PC, immediately. But they were rather quickly resolved and I strongly feel there is no reason to hold back. In fact, you risk becoming part of the security problem by staying with legacy software. IE7 offers a more secure environment than IE6. That alone is reason to upgrade.
I was a true IE6 fan, I am now a true IE7 fan. They are certainly more alike, than different. And of course, tabs, once you get used to them, are great. IE7 also includes an effective phish and popup blocker.
And I do not accept the claim that you are automatically safe if you switch to Firefox. It is certainly an able browser, and if that is what you prefer, no problem. I always am able to quiet the FF fanboys by asking them if they STOPPED getting infected when they switched to FF? Is seems those that switched also use an effective firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and all the other necessary anti-malware tools - the very things that you need to be safe, along with being smart about the sites you visit, regardless the browser you use.
(PS: Your link for AVG Anti-Rootkit is broken for me)
Wow, thanks for pointing that out. It seems AVG has now decided to make the Anti-Rootkit only available as part of the new AVG 8.0 (which is not free). Fortunately, the free version is still available at PC World.
Very good news, Vista? Good work with venturing into the registry also. Can be daunting for us all.