PainInThe

Periodically, twice a day now, Firefox will stop loading pages and only show a blank page. There's no error and it doesn't indicate that it's trying to load, the page will just be blank in the browser along with the source. Once this happens, I can't bring up any pages and reloading tabs will just make them blank as well. IE will do the same thing once this happens too and restarting Firefox won't fix it either, only a reboot will get it working again. I ran a deep system scan in BitDefender (which turned up nothing) and cleared the cache but it still happens.

I'm running Vista Service Pack 2 64-bit on an Acer Aspire X1700 Intel Pentium Dual Core E2220 2.4 GHz and 4GB of RAM.

alpenadiver

Have you tried repairing your winsock catalog? To do so:

Click on Start button.
Type Cmd in the Start Search text box.
Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as Administrator. Allow elevation request.
Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.
Restart the computer.

PainInThe

That didn't work either, it's getting worse now. It started blanking on pages after only an hour this time.

Deji

Odd... Is there any particular type of pages that show up blank? Will some websites show, but others not? It could possibly be a virus, usually they cause mainly antivirus websites to show up blank.

Try testing whether Internet Explorer (assuming you have it installed) works or whether it is Firefox specific. If it is then...

Try reinstalling Firefox. You can ensure your bookmarks aren't lost by copying this file:

Drive:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\default.qfb\bookmarks.html

Drive = your windows installation drive.
username = your windows username (look at the name at the top of the start menu)

Copy that bookmarks.html file somewhere where you'll remember it like the Desktop.

As for your Add-ons and settings, you will loose them (you can, however write down the names of the add-ons in a notepad file and find them again later) but you probably want to loose them for now, anyway so we know it's not a add-on or setting that is causing the problem.

PainInThe

It will show blank on all pages except for what's in the cache. I've also tried IE after it starts happening and it has the same problem. My Internet connection doesn't appear to have any problem, Thunderbird can connect to the mail server just fine and when I checked for updates in Open Office I didn't get any kind of error.

Deji

Well, in that case it's very similar to a problem that occurs as a result of a virus. A friend of mine had the same issue. They often block HTTP connections. I would try scanning for any viruses and reviewing the Task Manager processes (I'd also suggest "Security Task Manager") and Microsoft Services. After you have made sure that no bad stuff is on your computer, you can attempt to fix the Browser issue.

If you can, try posting a HijackThis log so we are able to tell what may be causing the problem. Also, when did this problem start occurring?

PainInThe

I installed Security Task Manager and didn't find much on there and I looked in Service, but I'm that familiar with it so all I can say is that I didn't see anything obvious. Here the HijackThis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:33:23 AM, on 11/9/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18828)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\NTI Backup Now 5\BkupTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\soffice.bin
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\x86\SetPoint32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Users\Troy\Desktop\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://homepage.acer.com/rdr.aspx?b=...m=aspire_x1700
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://homepage.acer.com/rdr.aspx?b=...m=aspire_x1700
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://homepage.acer.com/rdr.aspx?b=...m=aspire_x1700
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://homepage.acer.com/rdr.aspx?b=...m=aspire_x1700
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: ContributeBHO Class - {074C1DC5-9320-4A9A-947D-C042949C6216} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\/Adobe Contribute CS4/contributeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Partner BHO Class - {83FF80F4-8C74-4b80-B5BA-C8DDD434E5C4} - C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files (x86)\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.1.415.1646\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files (x86)\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: BitDefender Toolbar - {381FFDE8-2394-4f90-B10D-FC6124A40F8C} - "C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\Antispam32\IEToolbar.dll" (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: Contribute Toolbar - {517BDDE4-E3A7-4570-B21E-2B52B6139FC7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\/Adobe Contribute CS4/contributeieplugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMMediaSharing] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer Arcade Live\Acer HomeMedia Connect\Kernel\DMS\PCMMediaSharing.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BkupTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\NTI Backup Now 5\BkupTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acer Product Registration] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer\Acer Registration\ACE1.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acer Assist Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer\Acer Assist\launcher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeCS4ServiceManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CS4ServiceManager\CS4ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe_ID0ENQBO] C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Adobe\ADOBEV~1\Server\bin\VERSIO~2.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files (x86)\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 3.1.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3\program\quickstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files (x86)\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Acer HomeMedia Connect Service - CyberLink - C:\Program Files (x86)\Acer Arcade Live\Acer HomeMedia Connect\Kernel\DMS\CLMSServer.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS4 - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS4\Server\bin\VersionCueCS4.exe
O23 - Service: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio (AgereModemAudio) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\agr64svc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: BitDefender Arrakis Server (Arrakis3) - BitDefender S.R.L. http://www.bitdefender.com - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Arrakis Server\bin\arrakis3.exe
O23 - Service: NTI Backup Now 5 Agent Service (BUNAgentSvc) - NewTech Infosystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\NTI Backup Now 5\Client\Agentsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Empowering Technology Service (ETService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Acer\Empowering Technology\Service\ETService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Desktop Update Service (LIVESRV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NTI Backup Now 5 Backup Service (NTIBackupSvc) - NewTech InfoSystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\NTI Backup Now 5\BackupSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NTI Backup Now 5 Scheduler Service (NTISchedulerSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\NewTech Infosystems\NTI Backup Now 5\SchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Partner Service - Google Inc. - C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\Shared Files\RichVideo.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: BitDefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 10346 bytes

Deji

O2 - BHO: Partner BHO Class - {83FF80F4-8C74-4b80-B5BA-C8DDD434E5C4} - C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.dll

Known to be a Trojan. Try downloading and scanning your computer with MalwareBytes. Post the MalwareBytes log after ;)

underscore52

i had version 3.5.2. it auto updated to 3.5.3, then 3.5.4. worked fine till then.
only after it updated to 3.5.5 and commence install i realised that somewhere down the line the symptons described above in posts appeared. fortunately as of now I.E. works fine albeit slow.
uninstalled firefox, pulled down a fresh version and retried. same result.
blank pages all the way.
it did confirm that the sytem was compatible, meaning that all would be fine.
guess the update chewed it up proper.

PainInThe

MalwareBytes did find the Trojan and I quarantined it. Hopefully it works or I'll have to be back.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3134
Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2

11/9/2009 1:55:11 PM
mbam-log-2009-11-09 (13-55-11).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 353045
Time elapsed: 50 minute(s), 28 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 7
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 2

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{86676e13-d6d8-4652-9fcf-f2047f1fb000} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{83ff80f4-8c74-4b80-b5ba-c8ddd434e5c4} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{83ff80f4-8c74-4b80-b5ba-c8ddd434e5c4} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{83ff80f4-8c74-4b80-b5ba-c8ddd434e5c4} (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\partner service (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\partner service (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\kt_bho.KettleBho (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoActiveDesktopChanges (Hijack.DisplayProperties) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.dll (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\ProgramData\Partner\partner.exe (Trojan.BHO) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

koala

If you need any more help with possible infections (as there might be others not detected by Malwarebytes), please follow these instructions and start a new thread in the Virus/Trojans/Spyware forum where an analyst will help you as soon as possible. Don't post the log files in this thread.

PainInThe

I think it might not be malware, because I reinstalled Vista and it still happens.

koala

Unless you formatted the computer (wiped out all the data) and then reinstalled Vista, the potentially infected files could still be on your computer.

What method did you use to reinstall Vista? Was it a format and clean install, or did you leave all the programs and files on the computer and just run the Vista setup CD?

I'm not qualified to give advice on possible viruses, but if you still have the partner.dll trojan, our security analysts will be able to help you after you've posted the logs.

PainInThe

I reformatted it, had to reinstall all my programs. I tried my old profile and it happened again. I created a brand new one and it worked fine for over a day, but after I added my old bookmarks and installed some extensions it started not loading pages again.

koala

Disable all addons and restart Firefox, then add them back one at a time, restarting Firefox after each one until the problem reappears.

If you're using the latest Firefox, one of your addons might not be fully compatible.

PainInThe

I ended up uninstalling Firefox and removing everything from the profile. I have a whole new profile, been using for less than a day, added some of my old bookmarks and it just happened again. Am I going have to use IE now?

Deji

If it worked before installing add-ons, try again and install them one-by-one until you find out which one seems to be stopping things from working. If you find out which one try again without installing that add-on. It's a possibility that an add-on is making changes to your computer that disable Firefox. I can only really see that as being the solution.

PainInThe

I've already uninstalled Firefox and all the personal data it had and reinstalled it fresh. I didn't put on any add-ons, it still does it.

PainInThe

I reinstalled Vista again with the recovery disk that came with the computer and installed service pack 2. Then I installed Malwarebytes, SUPERAntivirus and CCleaner. All of them found the same issues that I had before (particularly the partner BHO) when I was trying to figure out what was wrong. Am I not getting a real formatting of the drive? How else can I format it?

koala

See post#11.