GameBanshee Forums

Just recently, IE6 has begun freezing on me. When I hit CTL-ALT-DEL to close IE, I see a program called <unknown> in the task manager. If I close IE or <unknown>, I get a Windows message telling me <unknown> has caused an illegal operation and needs to be closed.

The problem is intermittent, but I notice this happening most frequently with webpages that also load pop-up ads (notably ESPN.com and GameBanshee). I have run both NAV and Ad-Aware 6, no viruses were found and only tracking cookies were picked up, all of which I deleted. I am running Windows 98SE and IE6 with all of the latest critical updates. My browser security settings are at medium with privacy settings on high.

Has anyone else noticed this program running on their machine, or how to get rid of it?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

never noticed it before, but I've noticed that Ad-Adware sometimes misses stuff. I recommend getting a copy of Spybot. It does much the same thing as Ad-Aware, but you have more control over it, and it finds a lot more stuff.

If that doesn't work, then it has to be something on the server side of the ads.

It may be a javascript or activex applet. Try changing your security settings to low and see if the problem still occurs.

If you've got a copy of Norton Utilities have a look at your active processes using System Information and match it up with the Win98 task list.

I ran Spybot S&D and the problem seems to have gone away. I am planning on getting a new HDD and wiping this one clean anyway, so I don't think there will be any lingering consequences.

I'd also suggest something like Smasher, which kills popup ads.

Originally posted by fable

I'd also suggest something like Smasher, which kills popup ads.

So does a fully subscribed version of ZoneAlarm (I didn't realise this until GB returned to pop ups)

After having run Spybot, I have stopped getting pop-ups when I visit GameBanshee. I feel kind of bad about this because Buck says he is paid per view on each ad. I don't want to deprive Buck of revenue, but I also don't want my browser locking up every time I visit the site.

I don' t know how ZoneAlarm operates, but Smasher removes only pop-ups, not regular adverts. The developer deliberately leaves those in. So I see even now those gloriously lyrical ads for Bosley Hair Restoration at the top of GB, while a visit to weather.com no longer shows the annoying popups that block viewing the site.