Since May or June whenever a pdf file opens in IE8 or Firefox(latest version), it crashes the browser after a few seconds of the file being opened.

I have tried uninstalling adobe reader and reinstalling it.


Also in IE8, i get that problem that says "a program has changed your search engine settings" error each time i start IE8.

I have googled these problems and done what was suggested with no luck.

Oh and I am running XP SP2(or 3...can't remember half asleep as i type this)

8/6/2010 12:03:25 AM

Make sure you're up to date on windows updates... and honestly it sounds like you need to make sure automatic updates are enabled.

You may also want to reinstall firefox from a fresh download.

Quote :

"Also in IE8, i get that problem that says "a program has changed your search engine settings" error each time i start IE8. "

could be caused by a virus.

8/6/2010 3:16:04 AM

switch to PDFX-Change Viewer

also run ComboFix

8/6/2010 4:23:54 AM

Windows Update is on. I even checked the website for updates but it didn't find any.

This morning when i tried to open a pdf file saved on my computer, it crashed Adobe Reader as well. I am going to uninstall Adobe Reader.

I have run several virus scans on this computer using avast and malwarebites. It hasn't found anything.

Going to download and run combofix in a few minutes.

[Edited on August 6, 2010 at 10:18 AM. Reason : combofix]

8/6/2010 10:16:00 AM

this may not fix your problem, but I use Foxit reader and never have any of the stability/crashing/slow loading problems that I had with adobe reader

8/6/2010 10:55:02 AM

use sumatra pdf

8/6/2010 10:59:59 AM

pdfx-change viewer is working.

i ran combofix but it didn't find anything that I know about.

The error still happens with IE8(it doesn't happen in IE7).

8/6/2010 11:35:01 AM