3 Browser Address Error Redirector BHO questions

Question

HI, I have a few questions regarding the Browser Address Error Redirector BHO that's pre-installed on Dell computers.

First, why does it redirect when only a small portion of the page cannot be rendered? Say, the server for one of the ads on the site is bogged down and can't handle the request to display the ad, why does this BHO determine that the entire site in unloadable and redirects the user to the Dell/ Google search page?

Second, how do I uninstall this bugger from my machine. It says to go to the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs and remove it, but neither "Browser Address Error Redirector" nor "GoogleAFE" show. I don't want to uninstall the Google toolbar.

Third, as a web designer, is there a method to disable the Redirector or at least allert the user that the Redirector interferes with their browsing experience?

I wrote a piece about this in my blog if anyone cares to read it. It might answer some of your questions: http://www.elainevigneault.com/2006/12/10/a-new-technique-in-advertising.html

mombodog · Answer

This program can remove any BHO installed on the system   http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1   Run the installer and when you get the Wizard hit next to skip registry back up then do the check for updates, then download all, after the program restarts go to Mode and set to advanced, say yes, and now you will see Tools on the left side, click the tab and then tick the BHOs box and any others you want to be seen in Tools section. Now you will see BHOs in the tools section, click it and there are all of your BHOs on the system, highlight and remove the ones you do not want.   This is a nice program to find and remove nasties that malware can put in ActiveX, BHOs, Hosts file, Winsock Lsp's, system startup. Also the Spybot-S&D tab has a system scanner to help find and remove nasties.     Message Edited by mombodog on 12-10-200609:20 PM

Elaine Vigneaul · Answer

I hope this is the answer to my second question, which I found on these forums elsewhere:

Go to “Control Panel”
then “Internet Options”
or
open “IE”
and click on “Tools”
“Internet Options” then
click the “Programs” tab
Next click on “Manage Add-Ons” (give it a sec to load)
Disable "CBrowserHelperObject"

But, those aren't the directions when one follows the Dell/ Google instructions at http://www.google.com/hws/dell/afe?

There, it says

“This program can be uninstalled from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs. Look for the application named ‘Browser Address Error Redirector’. Older versions may be called ‘GoogleAFE’.”

But that simply isn't true.

joe53 · Answer

Hi Elaine:

First, why does it redirect when only a small portion of the page cannot be rendered?
Dell made a devil's pact with Google a while back, and preloaded this software so as to redirect you to the Dell/Google search page at every opportunity, however trivial.

Second, how do I uninstall this bugger from my machine.
If you can "Disable CBrowserHelperObject" in your Manage Add-Ons, you should be able to find a corresponding program to delete is Add or Remove Programs. Look for anything with any of the following:
URL Assistant
Google
Browser Address Error Redirector (or BAE, or BAE.DLL)

Third, as a web designer, is there a method to disable the Redirector or at least allert the user that the Redirector interferes with their browsing experience?
The Redirector is loaded on your machine, and should not affect other users who do not have it.

I don't want to uninstall the Google toolbar.
Be aware that Dell pre-installed Google Toolbars may be a different animal than the one you get direct from Google. Many posters have solved redirector and/or locked homepage problems by uninstalling it. Re-installing the Toolbar directly from Google's website did not cause the problems to recur.

Elaine Vigneaul · Answer

Thanks, Joe, for the info.

Third, as a web designer, is there a method to disable the Redirector or at least alert the user that the Redirector interferes with their browsing experience?
The Redirector is loaded on your machine, and should not affect other users who do not have it.

Understood. I'm asking if there is some known snippet of code I can add to my website to try to stop this from happening to those users who have this BHO installed.

Elaine Vigneaul · Answer

Sorry to keep harping on this but doesn't it bother anyone else that the instructions Dell gives the user to remove the BHO are wrong? Makes one wonder if that was a deliberate move by Dell/ Google.   Furthermore, anyone notice any recent Google server problems? It seems like they might have had a problem last night around 8pm for a couple hours. I have no data from Google Analytics about my site, yet I had visitors during that time (a couple left comments).   My issue with this BHO is that it's caused by ANY small issue with the website load - including googleads. So, when my google ads don't load, the BHO kicks in and sends traffic to this Google/Dell search page. It just seems so wrong.   (Don't get me wrong, I and fond of both companies and have been a loyal customer. I just think this is stepping over the line.)

PerpWatch · Answer

I find the fastest way to solve this problem is as follows:   Open 'Tools/Internet Options' Click the 'Advanced' tab Go to 'Browser' and remove the check in the box for 'enable third party browser extensions'   And don't call Dell support if the only language you speak is English!!

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3 Browser Address Error Redirector BHO questions

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